CHARGERS (8-7) vs. RAIDERS (6-9)
When: Sunday, 1:25 p.m.
Where: StubHub Center
Line: Chargers by 7
TV/Radio: Ch. 2; 640-AM, 980-AM (Spanish)
CHARGERS OFFENSE vs. RAIDERS DEFENSE
The Chargers have a franchise quarterback in Philip Rivers, a 35-year-old who recently made his seventh Pro Bowl. They have a star playmaker in Keenan Allen, an oft-injured receiver who has put up big numbers in the healthiest season of his career. And they have Melvin Gordon, a well-rounded back who ranks fifth in the league with 267 carries.
What they don’t have is any sort of consistency. After a four-week stretch in which they scored 131 points — including three touchdowns by the defense — the Chargers scored 13 and 14 points against Kansas City and the New York Jets, both of whom rank in the bottom half of the league’s scoring defenses.
That the Raiders give up an average of 22.9 points, then, might not offer the Chargers too much comfort. The most encouraging stat might be Oakland’s lack of takeaways. The Raiders are tied for last in the league with just five interceptions, and the Chargers are 7-2 this season when Rivers doesn’t throw a pick. EDGE: CHARGERS
CHARGERS DEFENSE vs. RAIDERS OFFENSE
Something is wrong with Derek Carr, even if he won’t admit it. After generating some MVP buzz last season, Carr suffered three back fractures in October — but missed just one game before playing the Chargers in Week 6. He has thrown for multiple touchdowns in just two of his last eight outings, a stretch in which he holds a passer rating of 79.7.
The Chargers pass defense has been excellent all year, thanks to a star-studded defensive line and excellent play by cornerback Casey Hayward. But after their improvement against the run evaporated in the last two weeks, with Kansas City’s Kareem Hunt and the Jets’ Bilal Powell combining for 300 yards on the ground. Oakland could very well lean on Marshawn Lynch, who still averages 4.2 yards per carry at 31 years old. The potential of return of linebacker Denzel Perryman, recovering from a hamstring injury, will be crucial for Los Angeles. EDGE: CHARGERS
SPECIAL TEAMS
Earlier this week, Lynn called Cordarrelle Patterson one of the best returners he’s seen since Michael Bates — a former Olympic medalist who also made five straight Pro Bowls. Against the Chargers in Week 6, he returned one kickoff for 39 yards; on offense, he also scored a 47-yard touchdown on an end-around run. That dynamic ability could tilt a close game — even if new Chargers kicker Nick Rose has booted more touchbacks than his predecessors.
Rose is the latest member of a four kicker lineup that has combined to make just 19 of 28 field goals for the Chargers, the worst percentage in the league. He hasn’t proven to be an improvement in that area, missing a 47-yard attempt in New York on Christmas Eve. The Chargers special teams unit has also been bogged down by penalties. A week ago, Travis Benjamin returned a punt for a 91-yard touchdown against the Jets — only to see it nullified when linebacker Nick Dzubnar got flagged for holding. EDGE: RAIDERS
COACHING
The X-factor is John Pagano. Hired this offseason as Oakland’s assistant head coach on defense, the former longtime Chargers was promoted to defensive coordinator just before Thanksgiving. Few know Rivers and the Chargers scheme as well as Pagano, who spent 15 years in San Diego in various defensive roles — including defensive coordinator from 2012-16. EDGE: RAIDERS
INTANGIBLES
The Chargers are still in playoff contention, but they didn’t exactly rise to the occasion two weeks ago in Kansas City, where they had a chance to seize control of the AFC West. Meanwhile, the Raiders can play fast and free as they try to spoil the season for a division rival — and do it in front of a stands likely to be packed with silver and black. EDGE: RAIDERS
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Chargers defensive end Joe Bosa vs. Raiders left tackle David Sharpe: Bosa has only one sack in his last three games. But the 22-year-old is a Pro Bowl starter for a reason, and given how often he moves along the defensive line, he’ll likely end up attacking Carr’s blind side at some point in the game. The Raiders offensive line took a step back this season, and three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Donald Penn recently landed on injured reserve, opening the door for Sharpe — a fourth-round rookie with only four career appearances.
PREDICTION
The Chargers are a better team than the Raiders, and have won in front of enough hostile crowds that a road-friendly StubHub Center shouldn’t faze them. But if the Titans beat the Jaguars, even a win won’t get Rivers and company back into the playoffs. Chargers 21, Raiders 17