Raiders vs. Chargers: Full San Diego Game Preview
After suffering two bitter losses in the same week, the San Diego Chargers will look to rebound at home against their most hated rivals in the AFC West—the Oakland Raiders.
San Diego (2-4) dropped a 27-20 decision on the road last Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Philip Rivers set franchise records for attempts (65), completions (43) and yards (503) while also becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 500 yards with no interceptions and still lose. The Chargers were in a position to tie the game in the closing seconds with the ball near the goal line, but Green Bay's defense denied them four times to force a turnover on downs.
Oakland (2-3) should be well-rested coming off a bye last week. The Raiders last played Oct. 11 against the Denver Broncos and lost 16-10 in a tightly contested game that was decided by a defensive touchdown. Denver's Chris Harris Jr. returned an interception 74 yards for a score midway through the fourth quarter, and the Broncos held on to win their 14th straight road game against a division opponent.
The Chargers went the first six weeks without facing a division opponent but do so now almost halfway through the season.
For more on this matchup, click ahead.
Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego
Time: 1:05 p.m. PT
TV: CBS
Week 6 Results and Recap
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| AFC West Standings | Wins | Losses | Ties |
| Denver Broncos | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Oakland Raiders | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| San Diego Chargers | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 1 | 5 | 0 |
San Diego outgained Green Bay 548-370, ran 40 more plays on offense and had possession for 16 minutes more than the opposing team but still lost. The Packers survived their biggest scare of the season, only because the Chargers couldn't gain three yards for the potential game-tying touchdown and extra point.
The first play, a run by Danny Woodhead, gained one yard, and Rivers' intended pass for Antonio Gates fell incomplete on the second play. Woodhead carried the ball a second time and lost yardage. Then, on fourth down, Green Bay's Damarious Randall came in at the last possible moment to deflect Rivers' pass, which was making its way to Woodhead in the end zone.
The Chargers hung in there with an unbeaten Packers team and looked like they belonged, but a loss is a loss. There are no moral victories in the NFL.
News and Notes
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Rivers Leads NFL in Passing Yards, On Pace to Break Single-Season Record
Through six games, Rivers has thrown for a league-best 2,116 yards and is averaging 353 yards, which could put him in a position to eclipse Peyton Manning's single-season mark of 5,477 yards in 2013. With the ground game out of whack, the Chargers may be forced to ride Rivers the rest of the way or at least until opposing defenses figure out how to stop him.
Gordon's Recent Fumble Struggles
Rookie running back Melvin Gordon fumbled twice in the first half against the Packers, which caused him to be benched for the remaining two quarters. Gordon, who was returning to his home state of Wisconsin, admits it was tough to have family in the stands witness what went on, but he took it as a lesson learned. And the first-rounder shared what head coach Mike McCoy told him after the lapse in ball security, per Chargers.com:
"He just said you can’t play as a back here, or anywhere, if you’re putting the ball on the ground. They’ll find someone else that can hold onto the ball. So he just let me know, and it didn’t take him to tell me that, (because) you know if you can’t hold on to the ball someone else will. That’s pretty much what he told me.
"
Gordon has fumbled a total of four times in six games, which could force the coaching staff to reconsider his spot in the starting lineup. The last thing San Diego needs is more turnovers.
Concern for Weddle Injury Forces Team to Call Up Phillips
All-Pro safety Eric Weddle said he felt a pop in his groin during the fourth quarter of last Sunday's game at Green Bay, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. And on Tuesday, the Chargers signed Adrian Phillips from the practice squad, per the official website, as insurance at safety should Weddle miss his first game since 2009. Phillips has played 56 snaps in three games for San Diego this season, per Pro Football Focus.
Latest Injury News
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| Name | Position | Injury | Wed. |
| Craig Mager | CB | Hamstring | DNP |
| Tourek Williams | OLB | Foot | DNP |
| D.J. Fluker | OG | Ankle | DNP |
| Chris Hairston | OT | Ankle | DNP |
| Manti Te'o | ILB | Ankle | DNP |
| Keenan Allen | WR | Hip | DNP |
| Eric Weddle | FS | Groin | DNP |
| Melvin Gordon | RB | Ankle | DNP |
| Antonio Gates | TE | Knee | DNP |
| Chris Watt | C | Groin | LP |
| Stevie Johnson | WR | Hamstring | LP |
Nine players missed practice on Wednesday. Among them were two starters on defense and four on offense.
But the good news is three starters on the offensive line are back at practice after some time away in recent weeks. Left tackle King Dunlap and left guard Orlando Franklin, who hadn't practiced since suffering injuries in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings, are both expected to play after coming off the injury report. Center Chris Watt, who sat out last week with multiple injuries, was limited.
Linebacker Manti Te'o is still nursing an ankle injury he suffered in Week 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which could mean a second consecutive start for rookie Denzel Perryman, who led the team in tackles (eight) and forced a fumble last Sunday at Green Bay.
Keenan Allen's hip injury, which he suffered in the third quarter against the Packers, is not believed to be serious, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter, but it's worth monitoring this week in practice. He's been San Diego's second-best offensive player next to Rivers, and production in the passing game would surely tail off without him on the field.
Melvin Gordon's injury is also not believed to be serious, as he told reporters after practice on Wednesday he expects to play against the Raiders, per Chargers.com. And tight end Antonio Gates is listed with a knee injury, which he might have suffered on this play, as pointed out by the San Diego Union Tribune's Michael Gehlken. However, a day off on Wednesday isn't out of the ordinary for Gates, who typically gets a rest day to keep him fresh during the season.
Eric Weddle's spot in the secondary, should he miss the game, would be manned by a combination of Jimmy Wilson, Darrell Stuckey and Adrian Phillips. However, Weddle joked with reporters after practice on Monday, saying, "I'm half Wolverine. I've been known to heal quickly," according to Chargers.com.
There's more good news with wide receiver Stevie Johnson improving from the hamstring injury he suffered in Week 4 against the Cleveland Browns. His presence, once healthy, will only add to an already potent passing attack for the Chargers.
All injury information courtesy of Chargers.com.
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Key Matchups
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Jason Verrett vs. Amari Cooper
Brandon Flowers' ability to cover the best receiver on the field has come into question after allowing five touchdowns in five games played this season. Asked if he might evaluate Flowers' starting role at cornerback, head coach mike McCoy told reporters at Monday's press conference, "We're going to evaluate every position every week...we'll do what we think is best."
Meanwhile, Verrett is outplaying Flowers in coverage and should be the one responsible for shadowing Oakland's talented rookie receiver. Cooper is averaging 13.8 yards and has totaled six catches of 20 or more yards in five games played. He's also able to make plays after the catch with the league's third-most yards after catch (243).
Expect an entertaining matchup should it play out that way in coverage.
Philip Rivers vs. Charles Woodson
Oakland's 18-year veteran is leading the way on defense with a league-best four interceptions and is Pro Football Focus' third-best safety in coverage. Rivers, too, is playing well, especially after last week's massive performance, but he's also thrown five interceptions, three of which have been returned for touchdowns.
With Woodson patrolling the secondary, Rivers will have to be extra cautious when throwing the ball. The quarterback of the offense versus the quarterback of the defense should make for a riveting chess match between wily veterans.
Matchup X-Factor
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Chargers' X-Factor of the Week: Danny Woodhead
With Oakland's run defense ranking third in yards allowed at 83.2 per game, don't expect a big game on the ground by the Chargers. Instead, focus on the Raiders' 31st-ranked pass defense in yards allowed at 299.2 per game, which should favor San Diego's stud receiving back.
Woodhead has been outstanding in his role as the second back and is leading the league in yards after catch with 294. And with the receiving corps banged up, he should benefit with more touches in the passing game.
Prediction: Chargers 28, Raiders 17
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The Chargers are four-point favorites against the Raiders, according to OddsShark.com, which is to be expected. In the past, San Diego has been the clear-cut pick to win this rivalry year after year. But with the Raiders improving and keeping games close this season, it won't be an easy win for the Chargers.
Oakland's last four games have been decided by seven points or less, and the trio of Derek Carr, Latavius Murray and Amari Cooper on offense is reason enough to believe the silver and black won't be down for long. Also keep in mind the Raiders only lost 31-28 and 13-6 in games against the Bolts last season.
San Diego wins, but Oakland isn't terrible anymore. The Raiders can prove to be tough as well.
Prediction: Chargers 28, Raiders 17
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