New Game Preview: Raiders vs Chargers - Week 9

Game Preview: Raiders vs. Chargers – Week 9

www.FranchiseSportsMedia.com

Las Vegas Raiders (4-3)  |  Los Angeles Chargers (2-5)

 

 

The Las Vegas Raiders face off against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first leg of this AFC west division rival matchup.

 

 

This game is crucial for both teams. The Las Vegas Raiders can increase their chances for a playoff spot with a win, as well as diminishing a division rival’s odds at a playoff opportunity. The Los Angeles Chargers are already three-plus games behind contention and are 0-2 in the AFC West division thus far. The Raiders have a chance to widen the gap from the rest of the division in the standings and make it a two-team race between them and the Kansas City Chiefs as the two playoff contenders in the AFC West.

 

 

Scouting Report:

 

The Chargers are coming off a tough, heartbreaking loss to the Denver Broncos. That makes this week’s game against Las Vegas a must-win for Los Angeles, who was arguably the better team on paper before the season. They tend to start hot on both sides of the football, but they have shown that they get cold and blow leads as the game goes on.

The Raiders, on the other hand, are the opposite. This season they typically start to hit their stride in the late third quarter or early in the fourth, so it should be an interesting matchup this week to see who can finish out the ball game between these two rivals.

One of Los Angeles’ strengths is their passing game. Rookie Justin Herbert has been impressive since taking over for Tyrod Taylor, and the offense has clicked. He is not afraid to throw the ball deep and can make plays with his feet. We have to see the type of aggressive game plan and overall effort from the Las Vegas defense that we saw them use against the Chiefs back in week five.

It sounds like a broken record at this point, but the Raiders’ defensive line has to cause some havoc in the backfield and put pressure on Herbert. Wide receiver Keenan Allen is having another great season. Still, you also have to deal with Mike Williams and Jalen Guyton, who present serious threats outside, as well as Hunter Henry, who, for the most part, serves as a big target in between the hash marks.

 

 

The Silver and Black’s Game plan…

 

Derek Carr did not have the best game on paper against the Cleveland Browns, but he controlled the tempo and clock. In this week’s game, Carr is more than capable of putting up good numbers against a struggling Chargers defense. Los Angeles’ defense is ultimately the deciding factor in whether they can close out football games. They are a banged-up unit, but they can still rush the passer. The heat on Carr will be something to keep an eye on.

This could be a great opportunity for Carr to change his fortunes in the fourth quarter. On multiple occasions, we’ve seen a sack, a crucial fumble, or untimely interception alters Carr’s momentum and the game as well. But this week, the Chargers could be without edge threat Joey Bosa and corner Casey Hayward Jr., which would take a lot of pressure off Carr and the Las Vegas’ offense.

 

 

There’s no need to fight fire with fire…

 

The Las Vegas Raiders should look to go heavy on their strengths, power running, and the short passing game.

Josh Jacobs’ chances for a second straight one hundred yard rushing game are looking pretty good now, as Los Angeles allows over 110 yards per game. However, the club ranks in the bottom ten of the NFL in passing defense. This is great news for Gruden and Carr, who ranks top four in completion percentage this year.

Henry Ruggs III draws attention deep and seems to be starting to get more comfortable in the offense, making him the threat the Raiders thought they would have when they drafted him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Teams can’t just focus on Ruggs; they also have to deal with Nelson Agholor, Hunter Renfrow, working the sidelines, and the matchup nightmare Darren Waller over the middle. These players have had great years so far and make the Raiders passing game even more deadly.

If the offense can execute, all they need is for the defense to contain the long ball and force the Chargers to beat them with the run.

 

Do not miss this important AFC division rival matchup, as the Las Vegas Raiders travel to Los Angeles to take on the Los Angeles Chargers at 1:05pm PT on FOX.

Raiders vs Chargers     Raiders vs Chargers     Raiders vs Chargers     Raiders vs Chargers     Raiders vs Chargers     Raiders vs Chargers     Raiders vs Chargers      Raiders vs Chargers     

Justin Brooks – Franchise Sports Media

Twitter: @Ayyeju5tin

Instagram: @Ayyeju5tin

 

Join The Franchise on Social Media

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

 

Raiders vs. Chargers