Derek Carr makes his return for the Oakland Raiders (2-3) in attempt to save their early season. He and his teammates will welcome the Los Angeles Chargers (1-4) to Oakland Coliseum Sunday evening.
The fine folks at CBS will be shooting this game into your home at 4:25 p.m. EST.
The Game: Los Angeles Chargers at Oakland Raiders (-3.5)
O/U: 50.5
The History
The Chargers and Raiders have played 115 times since the old AFL began in 1960. Oakland holds a 63-50-2 advantage in the all time series.
Last year the Raiders swept the Chargers, 34-31 and 19-16, in their match ups and has won three consecutive games over Los Angeles/San Diego.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (1-4)
Congratulations on your first head coaching win last week, Anthony Lynn. Like my dad used to say, a blind sow can find an acorn every once in a while. Does it mean anything in this week’s game? Maybe.
Philip Rivers bounced back from a couple of bad games to throw for 258 yards, three touchdowns and just one interceptions against a New York Giants defense that seems ready to lay down and die. More importantly, the Chargers got the run game going with Melvin Gordon racking up 105 yards on 20 carries. He added six catches for 58 yards and two touchdowns and likely won some people cash money in Daily Fantasy. Not me, but some people.
Los Angeles’ defense forced two turnovers and sacked Eli Manning five times. They recorded 8.5 tackles in the backfield and will need a similar performance against a banged up Carr. There’s no telling how much punishment that kid can actually take. If E.J. Manuel comes into this game at any point, the outcome immediately flips.
While Rivers didn’t put up monster yardage numbers, he protected the ball for the most part and spread it around to the open man. Seven different receivers hauled in passes with Keenan Allen getting four catches for 67 yards. Tight end Hunter Henry continues to usurp Antonio Gates’ role on the team. He had three catches for 42 yards and a score.
L.A. has a few guys listed as questionable on the injury report, but everybody practiced this week so they should be a full go.
OAKLAND RAIDERS (2-3)
Carr’s fractured bone in his back is just a pain issue and one he’s obviously prepared to deal with. He’ll get a shot before the game and maybe another at halftime to keep it down, but it’s difficult to see him being as effective as he normally is dealing with that kind of injury. Hell, when my back is down I can’t even sit on the couch without hurting.
Regardless, the Raiders need Carr badly. They’ve lost three straight games and were blown out by the Baltimore Ravens last week, 30-17. E.J. Manuel is a decent back up quarterback, but he’s not going to propel this team anywhere but a Top 10 draft pick. There are stars all over the Raiders, but they aren’t solid enough to win without Carr.
This would be a great game to unleash Marshawn Lynch. He’s yet to cross 100 yards, but if Oakland wants to keep Carr upright and on the field, they better feed Beast Mode the ball early and often.
It’s been a stumbling start for Amari Cooper, but head coach Jack Del Rio and Carr need to keep him a part of the gameplan to get over his yips. If Cooper can get his head together, the Raiders have one of the best receiving tandems in the league with him and Michael Crabtree. Crabtree caught six passes for 82 yards and a touchdown last week.
The Pick
Carr’s presence changes everything, but I honestly don’t see how Lynn can lead the Chargers to two victories in a row no matter who Oakland has at QB. This looks like an ugly one, but one the boys from Oak Town will be happy to escape with the dub. Raiders 17, Chargers 14
This week
Straight up: 0-1
Against the spread: 0-1
Last week
Straight up: 6-8
Against the spread: 6-8
Season
Straight up: 43-34
Against the spread: 38-39
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