Raiders vs. Chargers: What's the Game Plan for San Diego?

After facing uncommon opponents for the first six games, the San Diego Chargers finally get an adversary they know in Week 7.

San Diego's rivalry with the Oakland Raiders dates back to 1960 in the days of the AFL. And since then, there have been 111 meetings in the all-time series, which Oakland leads 59-50-2. However, the Chargers have won 19 of the last 23 games against the Raiders, and three straight at Qualcomm Stadium, which will be the site of Sunday's game.

San Diego (2-4) is coming off a brutal 27-20 loss on the road against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday. Oakland (2-3) had a bye last week following a 16-10 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 5.

Below is San Diego's game plan with some key matchups and players to watch. And last but not least, a prediction for Sunday's outcome.

Offensive Game Plan

Oakland's defense ranks 26th in yards allowed at 382.4 per game, most of which comes in the secondary. The Raiders have the second-worst pass defense in yards allowed at 299.2 per game. And with quarterback Philip Rivers coming off a monstrous 503 yards passing against Green Bay, it's obvious the Chargers should go to the air against Oakland.

Date	Completions	Yards	TDs	INTs	Result
11/16/2014	22	193	1	0	13-6 Win
10/12/2014	22	313	3	0	31-28 Win
12/22/2013	19	201	1	1	26-13 Win
10/6/2013	35	411	2	3	27-17 Loss

But with receiver Keenan Allen (hip) questionable for Sunday's game, Rivers may have to look elsewhere in the passing game, be it Malcom Floyd, Dontrelle Inman or Ladarius Green. Stevie Johnson, who missed the previous two games with a hamstring injury, could also be a factor, having been a full participant in Friday's practice, per Chargers.com.

And sources told Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune that tight end Antonio Gates will be a game-time decision with an MCL sprain suffered in the fourth quarter against the Packers. So look for Green to be heavily involved if he's called upon to start for Gates.

San Diego's running backs have also been good at contributing in the passing game. Danny Woodhead has 26 receptions for 332 yards and rookie Melvin Gordon has caught 13 passes for 86 yards. Most of what they do on Sunday will come as receivers because the ground game figures to struggle against Oakland's third-ranked run defense in yards allowed at 83.2 per game.

The Raiders haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in the first six games. Matt Forte of the Chicago Bears came closest with 91 yards in Week 4 but had to earn it on 25 carries. 

Week	Team	Player	Carries	Yards	TDs
1	Cincinnati Bengals	Jeremy Hill	19	63	2
2	Baltimore Ravens	Justin Forsett	15	68	0
3	Cleveland Browns	Isaiah Crowell	10	36	0
4	Chicago Bears	Matt Forte	25	91	0
5	Denver Broncos	C.J. Anderson	11	22	0

And with San Diego's rushing attack struggling as it is with only 86.7 rush yards per game, it doesn't seem likely that Gordon or Woodhead will suddenly break out. The Chargers will still use the running game to keep the defense guessing, but the number of passes should greatly exceed the amount of rushing attempts.

Defensive Game Plan

The Raiders have the 23rd ranked offense in yards at 338.8 per game. And like the Chargers, they tend to do most of their damage through the air with second-year quarterback Derek Carr. Twice already, Carr has thrown for 300-plus yards and he's getting the protection to do so almost every game.

According to Pro Football Focus, Oakland's offensive line ranks second in pass-blocking efficiency with 36 total pressures allowed and 25 hurries. Carr has been sacked eight times and hit only three times.

The key to disrupting Oakland's passing game will be to somehow get pressure on Carr. Last week against the Packers, San Diego totaled three sacks with two from outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu and one from defensive end Corey Liuget. After going two straight games without a sack in Weeks 2 and 3, the Chargers have tallied 10 sacks in the past three games.

And although the Raiders, statistically, have one of the worst rushing attacks at 90 yards per game, Latavius Murray could be in for a big day against the Chargers. San Diego is allowing a whopping 5.4 yards per carry and 132.5 yards per game to opposing running backs. Murray went off on the Cleveland Browns in Week 3 with 139 yards rushing and is capable of becoming the fifth 100-yard rusher San Diego has allowed this season.

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

The only way to prevent that from happening is by being fundamentally sound and it starts with tackling. As a team, the Chargers have 55 missed tackles in six games played, per PFF.

Key Matchups and Players to Watch

Jason Verrett vs. Amari Cooper: Veteran corner Brandon Flowers has gotten off to a horrendous start this season, allowing five touchdowns in five games played, according to PFF. This is why the Chargers should try to match up Verrett with Oakland's top receiver. Cooper, the fourth overall pick in this year's draft, leads the Raiders with 28 catches for 386 yards and two touchdowns, and he's proven to be a big-play receiver with six catches of 20 yards or more.

Said defensive coordinator John Pagano in Thursday's news conference, per Chargers.com: "He’s hit some great plays in these first 6 weeks. He’s somebody that when he gets the ball in his hands, we have to do a good job of taking him away. Take him out of it, if we can."

Week	Thrown At	Receptions	Yards	TDs
1	4	1	6	0
2	3	2	38	0
3	2	2	28	0
5	5	2	43	0
6	2	2	51	0

(Coverage stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus)

King Dunlap and Joe Barksdale vs. Khalil Mack and Aldon Smith: San Diego's offensive tackles will have their hands full against two former first-round picks who know how to rush the passer. Mack, PFF's fourth-highest rated 3-4 OLB, has totaled three sacks and 17 hurries, and Smith isn't far behind with two sacks and 16 hurries.

According to PFF ratings, Dunlap and Barksdale have been San Diego's best pass-blockers, and the duo will be sorely needed to help keep Rivers out of harm's way. Remember that last season, Mack and the Raiders roughed up Rivers in a 13-6 loss that left the quarterback with injured ribs.

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Jimmy Wilson: All-Pro safety Eric Weddle has been ruled out for Sunday's game with a groin injury, meaning Wilson will pair up with Jahleel Addae at safety. This is nothing new for him, as he's already started four games this season when Addae was dealing with an injury of his own.

But with eight missed tackles so far this season, per PFF, Wilson will need to do a better job of wrapping up ball-carriers.

Orlando Franklin: After missing the previous three games with an ankle injury, Franklin was a full participant in practice this week and figures to play on Sunday. In his absence, the Chargers have used multiple personnel to try to fill the void at left guard but none really seemed to fit in.

San Diego paid good money in the offseason to help bolster the offensive line, but it remains to be seen if that money was well spent toward Franklin. He's allowed two sacks and nine hurries in 167 snaps, per PFF.

Prediction

San Diego is favored by four points to beat Oakland, according to Oddsshark.com. After two tough losses to Pittsburgh and Green Bay last week, the Chargers are due a win, but they'll need to go through a well-rested Raiders team to get it.

This figures to be a close game, as the previous two meetings between the Raiders and Chargers in 2014 were decided by seven points or less. But with Rivers having the hot hand and going up against an inferior pass defense, San Diego should be able to get it done at home and prevent falling into a 2-5 hole.

Predicted Score: Chargers 24, Raiders 20