Raiders vs. Chargers Predictions

Both teams look to get back on track with a win on the first week for Thursday Night Football on the NFL Network. The Chargers are losers of three straight while the Raiders come into the game losers of two straight. The AFC West is bunched up with all four teams within a game, three being tied for first. Tonight's game will have a lot to say about who will take charge of the division the rest of the way. The Raiders swept the Chargers last year to end the long streak of domination the Chargers had in the series. We'll see if the Raiders can continue their winning ways or the Chargers can grab ahold of the division lead. Let's take a look at the matchups and predict a winner.

Raiders Offense vs. Chargers Defense

The Raiders will be once again without their top playmaker in Darren McFadden and will rely on Michael Bush to carry the load in the running game. Carson Palmer will look to get more comfortable in the offense and with his receivers. The key to a win for the Raiders will be to limit the turnovers. The Raiders have thrown 9 interceptions in the last 2 games and have lost both with a combined 66-24 score. The Chargers will look to keep Bush to limited carries and force Palmer to throw the ball. They know that the Raiders are at their best when they control the line of scrimmage with their running game.

Advantage: Chargers

Raiders Defense vs. Chargers Offense

The Raiders are pretty thin in the secondary coming into tonight's matchup. They will be forced to play Lito Shepherd, who they claimed off of waivers a couple of weeks ago. Both Chris Johnson and DeMarcus Van Dyke are banged up as well as Michael Huff and Rolando McClain. The Raiders really struggled in the second half of last week's game stopping the run. The Chargers have struggled to finish off games and thus are in the midst of a three game losing streak. They will be without Ryan Matthews which should play into the Raiders strength. They will have to use Tolbert at RB, the type of RB the Raiders have success against.

Advantage: Chargers

Special Teams

The Raiders once again out-kicked their kicking coverage and gave up a punt return for a TD last week. This is an area that has been a problem for the Chargers as well since last year. A semi-healthy Janikowski will start which should help out on kickoffs and long field-goal attempts.

Advantage: Raiders


Prediction: Chargers 20, Raiders 13