Raiders vs. Chargers: Why AFC West Is Still San Diego's to Lose

The San Diego Chargers opened the season 4-1 and have dropped three straight games to come to back of the pack in the AFC West. San Diego is by far the most talented team in the division, but the Bolts haven't played up to their potential this year. If they could somehow turn it around, the division is theirs to lose.

San Diego currently ranks sixth in total offense league-wide, averaging 407.0 yards per game, while the team is seventh in the league in total defense, surrendering 311.6 yards per game. So how are the Chargers 4-4? Well, they've been terrible in the red zone and boast a minus-eight turnover margin.

The Chargers are likely to be without linebacker Shaun Phillips, wide receiver Malcom Floyd and left guard Kris Dielman Thursday night against the Oakland Raiders. Other than that, San Diego has a fairly healthy roster at the midpoint of the season. That should set the team up well for the stretch run.

Quarterback Philip Rivers has struggled mightily this season as he has thrown 14 interceptions against just 11 touchdowns. With his roster slowly getting healthy, Rivers will have no excuse if he can't turn things around. 

The Chargers finally appear to have both Mike Tolbert and Ryan Mathews healthy at running back, which should take some of the pressure off Rivers. Meanwhile, rookie wideout Vincent Brown has steadily developed into a weapon and should be able to produce for the team down the stretch.

With the Raiders struggling with an injury to Darren McFadden and quarterback issues and the Kansas City Chiefs missing three of their best players—safety Eric Berry, running back Jamaal Charles, tight end Tony Moeaki—the Chargers should have no problem running away with the division if they take care of the football. 

With eight games to go, San Diego needs to take over in the AFC West, because it should be the Chargers' division to lose.