The Oakland Raiders head down to Los Angeles to play the Los Angeles Chargers in a road game that will be more like a home game with all the Raiders fans in the Los Angeles area. Since going 6-4 after ten games, the Raiders have lost four straight games and look to snap the losing streak.
Protect Derek Carr
The Raiders will be without offensive lineman Trent Brown and Richie Incognito. Playing against Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, it is the wrong time to have two of your best offensive lineman missing. Ingram and Bosa have 11 1/2 sacks against Derek Carr. But the Chargers only have gotten three sacks in the last four games, but with the Raiders line missing players, they will have the edge today. Raiders must run the ball effectively and utilize quick passes to get the ball out of Carr’s hands quickly.
Washington Must Step Up
With Josh Jacobs out, running back DeAndre Washington will get another chance to start. In his last start against the Titans, Washington had 53 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown. Also, he had six catches for 43 yards. Washington will need to be successful for the Raiders to win the game running and catching. Jalen Richard will need to play a role as well.
Play Better In Second Half
In the past five weeks, the Oakland Raiders offense has gone flat in the second half. The Raiders offense has only scored one touchdown on 28-second half drives. In the past two weeks, the Raiders have been completely shut out in the second half. Oakland is averaging 1.21 points per drive in the second half. It is up to coach Jon Gruden to make the proper adjustments to fix this problem. You can not win games with numbers like that.
Pressure Phillip Rivers
Anytime you play the Chargers, you must pressure Phillip Rivers. In the game, in November, the Raiders did just that sacking RIvers five times and forcing three interceptions. When pressured, Rivers tends to throw the ball up, allowing the defense to make plays. Loof for the Raiders to pressure Rivers early to get him rattled.
