FSM Essential Preview - Raiders vs Chargers - Week 15

 

FSM Essential Preview – Raiders vs Chargers – Week 15

FranchiseSportsMedia.com

Las Vegas Raiders (7-6) | Los Angeles Chargers (4-9)

 

The Las Vegas Raiders’ wildcard chances took a major hit on Sunday after getting blasted by the Indianapolis Colts, plus making a change in their coaching staff in the process. FSM’s Jesus Cano takes a closer look at the Thursday night Raiders/Chargers matchup.

 

The Paul Guenther era in Las Vegas is over. The Raiders fired Guenther — who served as the defensive coordinator since 2018 — after their 44-27 loss against the Indianapolis Colts. Shortly after, Rod Marinelli was appointed to be the interim defensive coordinator for the rest of the season. Head coach Jon Gruden told reporters, including the Las Vegas media, that Marinelli is more than ready to accept the challenge of turning around the defense during the 7-6 Raiders‘ postseason push.

“I think he’s one of the great teachers and great motivators and great people that I’ve met in this business,” Gruden said. “He looks forward to adversity, he thrives in it. I think he looks forward to these challenges of building this defense and putting it all together. That’s why we brought him here in the first place. It’ll certainly help if his soldiers get healthy up front, but he has great experience and has a great amount of experience in situations like this.”

“Well, it’s the things we got to do. Especially in our run, we just got to do our job. At the end of the day, coach, and player; it’s not just on the players,” Marinelli said. “It’s coaches together and players together, so that’s the thing you’re trying to emphasize with each man, doing our job. And it’s a part of the teacher’s job, they reflect a coach at the end of the day. So, we just go back, don’t change anything. We just gotta keep trying to get better, especially on a short week.”

 

And while the playoff chances for the Raiders turned slim after last week’s loss against, the Silver and Black gear up for the second game of their three-game homestand.

 

The 4-9 Los Angeles Chargers come into Sin City for some Thursday Night action. The last time these two divisional opponents squared off, the Raiders narrowly escaped with a victory. The Bolts won their first game after a four-game losing streak, thanks to a last-minute field goal to lift them over the Atlanta Falcons.

Rookie Justin Herbert has been one of the few bright spots in a struggling Chargers defense. The Oregon alumnus has thrown for 3,467 yards and 25 touchdowns. Popular targets Hunter Henry and Keenan Allen have also helped make the transition.

But running back Austin Ekeler — who has already spent some time on the shelf — had a solid showing against the Falcons last week but has very limited practice due to a quad injury. On defense, Joey Bosa has had a strong season and gets high praise from Raiders quarterback Derek Carr.

“Well, Joey is one of the top, best pass rushers in our game,” Carr said. “I expect Joey to be at his best. Again, he’s one of the best in the league and it’s always a fun battle with him and our offensive line.”

The injury-plagued Raiders will be without wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, as he was added to the COVID-19 reserve list, although last week he wasn’t too active offensively against the Colts.

 

Ruled out

 

Along with Ruggs III, the Raiders have ruled out defenders Jonathan Abram, Nicholas Morrow, Damon Arnette and Clelin Ferrell due to injuries. All four have upper body injuries, with half sustaining concussions in the loss to the Colts.

 

Series history

 

This will be the 123rd battle between the traditional AFC West rivals, but the first time the Chargers will play an NFL game in Sin City. The Raiders have not only taken the last three meetings but lead the all-time series 66-54-2.

Preventing open Vegas running lanes?

 

FSM’s Lorenzo J. Reyna pointed out some of the deficiencies in the Raiders’ run defense from over-pursuing to blitzing the wrong gap to being fooled by the wildcat – culminating in 212 rushing yards by the Colts and the firing of Raider defensive coordinator Paul Guenther.

Now, Marinell’s first run offense he has to prepare for is coming in averaging just 3.8 yards per carry. However, in seven of the Chargers’ first eight games, the Bolts crossed the century mark in rushing, including 210 yards versus the Denver Broncos on Nov. 1.

 

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Jesus Cano – Franchise Sports Media

Twitter: @Juice_Cano

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Raiders vs Chargers