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Oakland Raiders Football:Pre-Game Thread Week 8

   Oakland at San Diego  


Regular Season Week 6

Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers

Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA

When: 1:05 p.m. PDT

2009 Records: Raiders (2-5), Chargers (3-3)

History:  Oakland leads the series 54-43-2

Head Coaches: Tom Cable (Raiders) and Norv Turner (Chargers)

Raiders Radio: Listen live on KSFO 560 AM

Television: CBS

Line: Chargers by 17 points

SB Nation Raiders vs Chargers Preview here

The Raiders had four "3-and-out" drives against the Jets and now have 31 total on the season -- the most for any team in the league. During the "Bed & Breakfast" 2006 team, with Aaron Brooks at QB, it wasn't thought possible that an offense or QB could play worse. Well, last week, Russell 6-11 for 61 yards and 2 Interceptions, pretty much brings the this Raiders offense right on par with the 2006 team.

Now the Raiders tumble into San Diego to face the team that has now defeated them 12 straight times. The Raiders have been playing sort of a Jekyll & Hyde, with their strange ability to follow a promising win with a demoralizing, blowout loss. So, now after the 38-0 drubbing by the Jets last week, what are we to expect from the Raiders against the Chargers?

What is clear now, is that this team looses confidence quickly and realizes that when they are way down, that there is little hope of coming back. Starting with the very first play of the game against the Jets, Russell's fumble took the wind right out of the Raiders defense. Now the thing to see is how he will respond to his benching and sudden, apparent realization that "some" of the Raiders' problems are actually his fault. So if the Raiders are going to have any chance today, it's going to start with ALL the players executing the game plan, protecting the ball and not loosing confidence. In order for the team not to quit on themselves, they will be looking to Russell to really see if he is going to be the one who can lead them.

For the Chargers, it still may be to late to catch the Broncos, but they are playing better after their typical slow start and have now really become a passing team. Despite their struggles on the ground, San Diego has had little trouble scoring this season, averaging 26.8 points. The Chargers' defense, however, had given up an average of 27.2 points before holding the Chiefs to 203 yards. San Diego is also starting to get healthy, which still cannot be said for the Raiders, probably until after the bye. The Raiders will once again be without the services of Chaz Schilens and probably not Gallery. They will also once again, adventurously, start Khalif Barnes at right tackle, with his career one game of experience on the right side.

Beyond the obvious key that the Raiders offense needs to do SOMETHING, the Raiders defense needs to play that same aggressive, hard-hitting defense they played for the first 58 minutes of the opener. With the Chargers going more to the pass now,one great match up watch will be the one between Antonio Gates and Tyvon Branch.

So Raider Nation, what are your thoughts, your keys to this game and how do you think the Raiders will respond coming off of the shut out loss at home to the Jets last week?

 

Poll
After the humiliating defeat at home against the Jets, what are your expectations for today's game against San Diego?
They will play the same as the did against the Giants and Jets and get blown out
40 votes
They will take the Jets game personally, show they have pride, not quit and play a very competitive game
37 votes
As long as Russell starts, they will be doomed
53 votes
The benching of Russell was a wake up call and he will respond by giving the Raiders a chance to win
27 votes
I wonder how many Raiders fans will be in the crowd today
26 votes

183 votes | Poll has closed

Comment 7 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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13 in a row

I expect the Chargers to concentrate on stopping the Raider running game, daring Russell to attack the secondary. While I would love to see JaMarcus have a break out game and throw for 300 yards, even 200 yards, and two or three TD’s, it’s not going to happen. Tom Cable will limit the number of pass attempts because he doesn’t trust his quarterback, and go with numerous runs at the middle of the San Diego defense, resulting in 2 and 3 yard gains. The Raider offense will once more go 3 and out, 3 and out. The Raider defense still has some pride, so I don’t expect a complete breakdown until the second half. Chargers 31, Raiders 10

by Murcha on Nov 1, 2009 6:16 AM PDT reply actions  

I believe the raiders can do this.

they were blown out by the giants, and bounced back to beat the eagles. they can do it again.

by patriotguy2 on Nov 1, 2009 8:30 AM PDT reply actions  

i have an odd feeling that they will play the Chargers tightly today

because division rival and we play good like once a month so maybe this will be the one game but i believe they will cover that 16.5 point spread lol

we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE

thanks for a great season Rockies!

LETS GO WINGS!

by TuLoRocks2008 on Nov 1, 2009 8:55 AM PDT reply actions  

Las Vegas

They’re hoping that the Raiders cover the spread.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Nov 1, 2009 9:26 AM PST up reply actions  

According to J-Mac:

LT only needs 39 yards to go over 2,000 lifetime against the Raiders. Ouch!

It is all about coming together as a team. At the end of the day, the team is all we have. - T. Branch 10-14-09

by Raymond St. Martin (Saint) on Nov 1, 2009 9:11 AM PST reply actions  

Tomlinson

He averages 115.4 rushing yards per game in his career against the Raiders.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Nov 1, 2009 9:45 AM PST up reply actions  

Really??..you guys can't be serious!!

You don’t actually expect the Raiders to win do you??? How funny is it that Crabtree has 10 catches in 2 games..while Heyward-GAY has 4 all season!! Great pick there Al Davis….HURRY UP AN DIE you walking corpse!!!

by G M on Nov 1, 2009 1:09 PM PST reply actions  

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