NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Chargers vs. Raiders: Preview, score prediction for Week 6

By Derek Snyder

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 18: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders is hugged by Melvin Ingram #54 of the San Diego Chargers after the Raiders 19-16 win over the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 18, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 18: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders is hugged by Melvin Ingram #54 of the San Diego Chargers after the Raiders 19-16 win over the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 18, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Oakland Raiders

The Los Angeles Chargers and Oakland Raiders meet up in an important AFC West battle in Week 6 of the 2017 NFL season on Sunday. While the Raiders are scrambling to pick up the pieces after three-straight losses, the Chargers are coming back to the west coast after beating the Giants for their first win of 2017.

Right off the bat, this biggest factor in this game is whether Raiders quarterback Derek Carr will play this weekend. While we could see him out on the field, it’ll be interesting to see whether he’s healthy enough to perform at a high level or if Oakland is panicking over their 2-3 record.

Either way, Los Angeles is walking into a game where the Raiders are going to be extremely hungry to end their losing streak. Whether it’s Carr or EJ Manuel at quarterback, they’re ready to square off against the Chargers on Sunday afternoon.

That said, here are two keys to victory for both teams in Week 6:

Chargers Keys to Victory:

Get Pressure on the Quarterback: Heading into Week 6, Los Angeles has a real opportunity to win their second-straight game with Derek Carr currently ailing from an injured back. Regardless of whether it’s Carr or Manuel this weekend for Oakland, the Chargers pass-rush is going to take their shots.

Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram are legitimately one of the best pass-rushing combos in the NFL, which will make things extremely tough for the Raiders offense on Sunday afternoon. Oakland will try and use Marshawn Lynch to slow them down, but at the end of the day, these two guys are going to get to the quarterback

More from NFL Spin Zone

Avoid Turnovers: As usual for many teams in the NFL, the last thing Los Angeles can afford to let happen this weekend is to turn over the football. We all know that Philip Rivers can get a little over-zealous with his throws, but not giving Oakland extra possessions on Sunday is even more important with Carr dealing with his back.

There’s a legitimately shot for the Chargers to get their second-straight win this weekend, but they have to play clean football.

Raiders Keys to Victory:

Give Marshawn Lynch the Football 25-plus times: As well as Los Angeles played Week 5 against the Giants, they still gave up well over 100 yards on the ground. If New York wouldn’t have lost their three starting wide receivers in that one game, it could’ve been a completely different outcome.

That said, with Derek Carr ailing and the Chargers struggling to stop the run, it would definitely benefit Oakland to run the football a ton on Sunday. Not to mention, when you have bruising running back like Lynch, you have to give him the football as much as possible.

Stop Melvin Gordon Early in the Game: While Melvin Gordon had one of the best offensive performances in Week 5, I’m still not completely sure the Chargers are sold on running the football consistently. This coaching staff has yet to prove they are committed to being a run-first offense, which has been one of their biggest downfalls thus far in the 2017 season.

If Oakland can shut down the Chargers running game early in the first half, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Los Angeles become one-dimensional on offense. When that happens, the Raiders will be able to get to Philip Rivers and get their own solid offense back on the field.

Prediction

Honestly, I think the Raiders need to really consider if it’s best for Derek Carr to suit up this weekend against Los Angeles. They are going up against one of the best pass-rushing defense in the NFL through five weeks, which means whoever plays quarterback for Oakland will be under pressure all afternoon.

Next: NFL 2017: Picks against the spread for Week 6

Not only do I believe the Chargers will give the Raiders problems on offense, but Melvin Gordon could have another big game as well. Stopping the run isn’t exactly Oakland’s strong suit, which could ultimately be their downfall in Week 6 against the Bolts.

Pick: Los Angeles Chargers: 25, Oakland Raiders: 21

Home/Las Vegas Raiders