Oakland's two tasks: Chargers, and the Media

Well, time to look to our next opponent: Everyone's favorites, the Chargers.

Now, as it has been said, but bears repeating, here's a team that was less than a minute from being on top in the AFC West. Now, we're tied with them in the West, at 1-2.

Some of the more basic tenets of this game, won't be very different from last weeks. Solid defensive effort, but this time, for an entire game. Getting McFadden and Bush into a more fluid running situation. And, above all, avoiding turnovers.

To note, last week's game was a heartbreaker. The good thing is, there's 16 weeks in a season, not just one. In last week's game, we proved we can use a good defense to control tempo. The disadvantage, is you need to pair it up with clock-absorbing drives, to keep them fresh and not worn down. By the end of the game, our defense looked tired, for good reason. The Bills controlled the clock by almost 10 minutes more.

The Chargers last week took advantage of the Jets, forcing Brett Favre into foolish mistakes, and capitalized on a team trying to find it's own way. We have two choices. Play into that weakness, or, show them something different along the way.

Our second opponent, of course, has to be the media. This group is about as annoying as the barbarians outside of Rome, and about as determined to cause problems. The latest clip that can be seen, simply illustrates the chaos in the front office, but as well, the media loves to take potshots at Al Davis. Like the mythical letter that Davis was supposed to make Kiffin sign, there was also the rumor that officials for the club were handing out an article critical of Kiffin in the locker room. If anyone has a copy, by all means, send it over, or put it up on Ebay. I'm sure the world would love to see the real thing. Until then, no more rumors and allegations....two things i'm sure the Bay Area can't go 5 minutes without doing.

Kiffin, simply put, won't quit. Davis, until he can afford it, or, makes up his mind, is staying put. With Davis running behind schedule, maybe his medical staff can switch him to decaf, and he'll take more naps.

And then we won't have to worry about seeing him up with his walker so much.

Since this was one game i'd say the Raiders would lose at the beginning, I'm still about the idea that the Raiders go 2-2 before the bye. The Chargers, for all their weapons, are missing LT's usual run, and Gates isn't his normal 8 catch a game machine.

However, they have upgraded on a lot of choices.

I'd call this close, if the Raiders take DeAngelo Hall out of the game in the second quarter, and call it Oakland 21, Chargers 20....Oakland gets a successful Hail Mary at the end of the game to win.