My Team - Chargers at Oakland

For this game, from Chargers.com, OT Dunlap is out (concussion). OG Rinehart is doubtful (foot).

OLB Freeney (quad) and WR Floyd (neck sprain) are on the Reserve/injured list. Those two are done for the year, most likely.

Sunday night, the Chargers have an 8:35p date with the Raiders. Congratulations to the Oakland baseball counterpart making the playoffs. This event drives the football game to much later in the evening (given time needed to convert O.co Coliseum from baseball to football configuration). Good luck for anyone east of the Mississippi River watching the football game in its entirety before beginning a new work week a few hours later. At least the Chargers are still on the west coast. The adjustment of being on the road shouldn't be too difficult.

After four games, the Chargers average 396 yards per game, with 291 via pass. The Raiders give up 349 per game, including 237 passing yards yielded.

Conversely, the Raiders gain 338 yards per game, including 200 passing yards on average. The Chargers give up on average 432.8 yards, including 312 per game via the air.

Average San Diego score so far is 27-25.5. Average Oakland score so far is 17.75-22.75.

For me, the San Diego pass rush is key (as usual). Can they get to Pryor/McGloin/Flynn enough to disrupt things? With Freeney's injury, it begs the question. Yeah, Oakland runs the ball pretty well, but that means they are really one-dimensional..

On offense, can Rivers keep getting the ball out quickly? So far, the new offense has been clicking fairly well. Rivers' reads are efficient, and he's not forced too often to scramble for his life. However, they could use a bit more consistency running the ball, especially in the 4th quarter. In the two losses, the team had the lead in the second half but didn't sustain that late-game drive that puts the game out of reach.

I would love to see Ryan Mathews go for 85 yards in 20 or so carries, especially with 30ish yards in the fourth quarter to put the game away. A win would make the Chargers a mildly surprising 3-2. Sure, Denver is dominant and Kansas City is playing very well. The Chargers can keep making noise, and maybe squeeze into a playoff spot.

My guess: San Diego 24, Oakland 20. I will attempt to watch it all. It will finish past my bedtime, though...