Oakland Raiders vs San Diego Chargers: What's the Game Plan for Oakland?
The matchup against San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers puts immense pressure on the Oakland Raiders secondary. For one, Rivers leads the league in completions and passing yards, coming off a 503-yard performance against the Green Bay Packers. Secondly, he’s throwing at a record-setting pace, per Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith:
Finally, the Chargers have surrounded Rivers with plenty of options to target from the pocket, ranging from backup tight ends to small running backs. Oakland cannot expect to cover all of the receiving targets.
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The Raiders must address the root of the issue, which involves putting Rivers on his back.
Raiders Pass Rush vs. San Diego Chargers Offensive Line
Apparently it’s not hard to make a beeline for the Chargers quarterback. San Diego’s offensive line has allowed 20 sacks in six games.
| Week | Opponent | No. of Sacks | Game Result |
| 1 | Detroit Lions | 2 | Win |
| 2 | Cincinnati Bengals | 5 | Loss |
| 3 | Minnesota Vikings | 5 | Loss |
| 4 | Cleveland Browns | 2 | Win |
| 5 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 2 | Loss |
| 6 | Green Bay Packers | 4 | Loss |
For those looking for trends, teams that sacked Rivers more than twice list a record of 3-0. Oakland has registered at least three sacks in two out of the last three outings after flipping the 3-4 switch.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Chargers offensive line ranks as the second-worst in the league. Injuries have contributed to pass-protection issues. Based the Chargers’ injury report, offensive tackles King Dunlap (concussion) and Chris Hairston (ankle) list as questionable for Sunday’s game.
Both players participated at practice in limited capacity. Dunlap already missed last week’s game due to concussion protocol.
San Diego’s guards have experienced their share of difficulties. Offensive lineman D.J. Fluker and former Denver Broncos guard Orlando Franklin have allowed nine quarterback hurries apiece. Fluker has also committed six penalties.
Oakland can apply pressure broadly across the offensive line or focus on a particular player struggling on Sunday. The onus doesn’t fall solely on edge-rushers Khalil Mack and Aldon Smith. Linebacker Malcolm Smith has logged two sacks.
The Raiders can also opt to take advantage of the weaknesses inside with defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. taking over for Justin Tuck, who's now on injured reserve.
In addition to stopping Rivers, the Raiders must find a way to jump-start their own offense that scored seven points against the Broncos in Week 5.
Targeting Brandon Flowers
Raiders cornerback D.J. Hayden receives instant criticism anytime he’s beat in coverage. Chargers cornerback Brandon Flowers has struggled just as much as Hayden in pass defense.
According to Pro Football Focus, Flowers’ minus-9.0 grade in coverage ties Hayden as the second-worst among cornerbacks in a pool of 171 qualifying players. Raider Nation's nerves short-circuit when opposing quarterbacks target Hayden. Chargers fans experience the same frustrations with their starting cornerback:
Doesn’t that sound familiar, Raider Nation?
In fairness, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton inflicted the most damage on Flowers' reputation. In Week 2, Dalton threw three touchdown passes—all of them with the Chargers’ struggling cornerback in coverage. Here’s one example useful for the Raiders game plan:
Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones lines up in the slot and takes an inside slant on Flowers. Jones uses his speed to create separation. Dalton delivers a timely and accurate pass deep for an easy touchdown.
Both Amari Cooper and Seth Roberts have the speed to burn Flowers in slot coverage. It’s a matter of making a few pre-snap formation shifts to manipulate the matchups, reading the coverage and making an accurate throw over the top.
Attack San Diego’s No. 29 Run Defense
In Week 6, the Chargers struggled to contain the Packers' backup running back James Starks. It’s worth noting, Starks poses a viable threat to San Diego’s defense as a quicker tailback capable of making shifty moves to find holes. In the following examples, Starks chose narrow running lanes, but managed to break off long gains:
In the first example, Starks takes a handoff out of the I-formation and steps to a crossroad where he can go left or right.
He chooses the left lane, but the hole closes quickly, which prompts him to spin his way out of trouble. Starks heads back right and finds open real estate for a 65-yard touchdown run. The Chargers linebackers didn’t have the speed to change direction and track down a quicker ball-carrier in the open field.
In the second example, Starks takes another carry toward the left end but decides to cut inside between the blocks instead of using his speed outside. Normally, a stout run defense engulfs the running back after taking the wrong route. However, Starks finds space to slide through the blocks and stretch the play for a seven-yard gain.
Key Players: Latavius Murray and Taiwan Jones
Running backs Latavius Murray and Taiwan Jones were full participants in all three practices this week. Murray, in a healthier state, should find holes in the Chargers run defense. In Week 3, he gashed the Cleveland Browns poor run defense for 139 yards on 26 carries.
Jones returns to the field after missing two weeks with a foot injury. He poses a bigger threat to run toward the ends and outside of the tackles as a quicker running back compared to Murray. The cornerback-turned-running back can also compensate poor run blocking with speed.
Game Prediction
The success or failure of the Raiders' rushing attack dramatically affects the outcome of this game. The Chargers have allowed 100-plus rushing yards in every contest with the exception of Week 1 against the Detroit Lions. The use of the ground attack limits Rivers' possessions, controls the clock and shortens third downs for the Raiders offense.
What’s the state of Oakland’s running backs? Will the coaching staff trust Murray with the ball throughout the entire game? How much spark will Jones add to the ground attack?
San Diego’s rush defense ranks No. 29, but the Raiders' ground attack ranks No. 27. The two inefficiencies may cancel each out. Murray runs with a purpose, but the offensive line hasn’t opened wide lanes for any of the running backs lately. Secondly, there’s insufficient production behind Murray among the backups.
According to San Diego Tribune writer Michael Gehlken, tight end Antonio Gates suffered an MCL sprain:
Nonetheless, backup tight end Ladarius Green also poses a threat as a sure-handed receiver. Let’s not forget the four wide receivers and two running backs proficient in catching passes out of the backfield.
We know Rivers throws the ball well, and he’ll likely accumulate significant yardage against the second-worst pass defense in the league.
It’s very difficult to hide roster inefficiencies with scheme. It’s not impossible, but Rivers' hot hand may cut too far through the Raiders secondary for a recovery.
Prediction: Chargers 27, Raiders 23
Follow Maurice Moton on Twitter for news, updates and intriguing discussion about the Oakland Raiders.
All statistics are provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com, Pro Football Focus and Team Rankings unless otherwise noted.
Raiders roster moves provided by Raiders.com.
San Diego Chargers injury report provided by Chargers.com.
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