Ryan Mathews Injury: Chargers RB's Absence Boosts Raiders' Victory Odds

At this point, any slight advantage the Oakland Raiders can get they’ll take with open arms.  In a must-win game against the San Diego Chargers, Oakland is already in playoff mode.  The odds that the Raiders will be able to knock off their division rival and earn a postseason berth have skyrocketed with the latest breaking news.

According to RotoWorld, San Diego starting halfback Ryan Mathews is inactive for their game against the Raiders.  Oakland’s defense is one of the worst in the NFL so Mathews’ inability to play in Week 17 is a huge plus.  Mike Tolbert is no slouch, but Mathews averages a whole yard per carry more than the battering ram.

In Raiders vs. Chargers round one, San Diego abandoned the running game early and Philip Rivers ended up throwing 47 passes.  With Mathews out, it’s more likely that the Chargers become one-dimensional again.  And because the Chargers became so one-dimensional the first time around, Oakland came away with a 24-17 victory.

Hue Jackson’s crew is ranked 27^th in the league in rushing yards allowed per game and 25^th in passing yards surrendered.  The elimination of one of those weaknesses is a big deal.

Oakland is also 7-2 this season when they finish the game with the leading rusher.  Darren McFadden may not be able to suit up, but Michael Bush should have no problem outgaining Tolbert on the ground.  Not only is Bush more talented, but the Raiders will be far more dedicated to the running game.

After the Tennessee Titans defeated the Houston Texans and the New York Jets fell to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, the Raiders’ playoff-clinching scenarios got extremely basic.  Oakland must beat the Chargers and the Denver Broncos must lose to the Kansas City Chiefs.  They may not control their own destiny, but the Raiders could be in a much tougher scenario then they currently are; just ask the Titans and Jets.

David Daniels is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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