Raiders vs. Chargers: TV, Time, Predictions and More for Thursday Night Game

The Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers deliver fans a gift in a Thursday Night game this week. Both have eyes on bigger prizes than just this game though. 

It seems that no team in the AFC West wants to step up and claim the division. All three top teams lost last weekend, including the Raiders and Chargers. Now those two and the Chiefs are tied with middling records of 4-4. 

We will finally have a king of the hill after a treat of a game on Thursday. Let's delve deeper into the battle for control of the AFC West taking place earlier than we could have hoped. 

Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA

When: Thursday, November 10th, 8:20 p.m. EST

Watch: NFL Network

Listen: Oakland Area KITS 105.3 (LIVE 105), San Diego Area KIOZ 105.3 FM & KLSD 1360 AM

Betting Line: According to Betonline.com

San Diego Chargers -6.5 

Over/Under 49

What's At Stake?: Well, a little thing called control of the division is at stake. After that you have bragging rights and reputation. 

In a sense, you have a steaming stew of all things that are important at this stage of the season. Both teams will be hungry for a much-needed win. 

Raiders Injury Report: Darren McFadden Questionable (foot), Rolando McClain Probable (ankle)

Chargers Injury Report: Kris Dielman Questionable (concussion), Shaun Phillips Questionable (foot), Malcom Floyd Questionable (hip), Ryan Mathews Probable (groin)

Fantasy Start 'Em, Sit' Em and Sleeper: This game has a great deal of people you need to sit. The most pressing is Carson Palmer. He had a fine day but it was against a soft defense. The Chargers will give him trouble all game. 

Start Philip Rivers. He has been inconsistent but is going against a Raiders defense that is fairly kind to quarterbacks. This will be a high-scoring game you will want to be in on. 

Michael Bush is my sleeper, as he is primed to get a  lot of touches since Darren McFadden is likely to sit this one out. 

What They're Saying: 

Paul Gutierrez writing for CSN Bay Area reports Kevin Boss was puzzled after not being used Sunday against the Broncos. "Tight end Kevin Boss was cleared medically to play on Sunday for the Raiders and was indeed active after suffering a concussion two weeks prior. And yet, Oakland's biggest training camp acquisition saw limited time on the field in the Raiders' 38-24 loss to Denver and then, only on special teams."

Kevin Acee of SignonSanDiego writes about Chargers expectations. "Now that the Chargers’ best start under head coach Norv Turner has devolved into their annual fight for survival, it’s not that the ultimate goal has changed; it’s just that the focus is clearly and immediately back to winning the AFC West."

Raiders Player to Watch: We still can't trust what Carson Palmer will give against a much better defense in the San Diego Chargers. With Darren McFadden hobbled, the glut of the offense falls on Michael Bush. He will need to flourish for the Raiders to stay close. 

Chargers Player to Watch: The Chargers continue to live and die by Philip Rivers. If the good one comes out on Thursday, the Raiders have no shot. If the ugly one steps on the field, the Raiders will own the division until Sunday. 

Key Matchup: The Raiders will hit the Chargers where they are most susceptible, and that's on the ground. Look for Bush to carry the ball as Palmer continues to find his way. If the Chargers can halt the ground game, it will be lights out for the Silver and Black. 

On the Hotseat: Everybody is fairly safe at the moment. 

Prediction: Chargers 27, Raiders 24