San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders Preview

By John Onan | Saturday, October 15, 2005 | ( 0 )

Got something to say?

Longtime AFC West rivals clash on Sunday in Oakland, as the San Diego Chargers battle the hometown Oakland Raiders. Both teams come in with losing records, as San Diego is 2-3 and Oakland enters this one 1-3.

The San Diego Chargers are coming back from a short week after losing 24-22 on a last second field goal to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night. Meanwhile, the Oakland Raiders just had their bye week, after defeating Dallas 19-13 thanks to a late defensive stand.

As always, the focus of the Chargers offense will be All-Pro running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who has rushed for 512 yards and a league-high nine touchdowns. Quarterback Drew Brees should also be ready to go, despite being kicked in the calf last leek against the Steelers. He hopes to take advantage of a Raiders pass defense that is ranked 29th in the NFL, yielding 272 yards per game.

Oakland is totally opposite than San Diego on offense, as they look to pass first, with two of the top receivers in the game, Randy Moss and Jerry Porter. Moss is a threat to catch the home run ball every time he lines up, as he has averaged an incredible 24.5 yards per catch with two scores. Porter, who was injured at the start of the year, has come on strong with 16 receptions for 197 yards since re-entering the lineup.

Their offense, like the Chargers, will want to take advantage of a secondary that is ranked among the worst in the league. Quarterback Kerry Collins has looked to shaken the interception bug that has plagued him in his career, as he as just thrown one all year. He is connecting on 54.3 % of his throws for 1091 yards and six touchdowns.

If history is any indicator, this long-heated rivalry should be exciting once again, and could end up as a high scoring shootout. The team who has the ball last may have the edge.

Got something to say?