The last game of the regular season is upon us as the playoff-hopeful Raiders take on the Chargers at home with dreams of playoff aspirations dancing about their heads. With a Bronco loss to the Chiefs and a Raiders win versus the Chargers, the Raiders will win the AFC West. There is also a scenario in which both the Broncos and the Raiders make the playoffs. If the Broncos win and the Raiders win, the Broncos will win the AFC West. The Raiders can earn a wild card spot with a Bengal loss and either a Jets win or a Titan loss. The bottom line is that the Raiders have to win in order to even be in the running for a playoff spot. Let's take a look at the matchups and predict a winner.
Raiders Offense vs. Chargers Defense
The Raiders offense will be as healthy as it has been in a month. Jacoby Ford practiced full last week and should play, which only leaves McFadden as the player not able to play. The Raiders are more physical and it showed in the last meeting in which Michael Bush racked up the most yards from scrimmage for a Raiders RB since the merger. A healthy dose of the power running game, mixed in with deep passes to DHB and Moore will be a recipe for success. The Chargers don't have a lot to play for as many figure Norv Turner will be fired at the end of the season and possibly GM A.J Smith. Will the Chargers have any fight left this season?
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Chargers Offense
The Raiders defense has not been good at the worst times all season. Will they be able to make enough plays to make a difference for the good and secure a win? The Raiders have been good in the red zone on defense. They have the most pass plays defensed against in the league with 17 plays either ending in INTs or passes defensed in the end zone. The Chargers will have to establish the run if they want to have a balanced attack and keep the Raiders front four on their heels. The Raiders run defense has allowed a whopping 5.12 yards per rush on the season, second worst in the NFL. The key to the game will be the turnover battle. The Raiders will give up yards on defense. If they can turn the Chargers over and turn it into points, it will go a long ways in deciding the outcome of the game.
Advantage: Chargers
Special Teams
The Raiders have the game's best punter and kicker in Lechler and Janikowski as both will be headed to the Pro Bowl. They will get a big boost in the kicking return game as Jocoby Ford will be back from injury.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction: Raiders 28, Chargers 24
Record to date: 7-6
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