Raiders vs. Chargers: There IS a "D" in Victory for Oakland

The Oakland Raiders travel to San Diego to face the Chargers Thursday night in a game that will elevate the winner to sole possession of first place in the AFC West. The Raiders are coming off a devastating loss at home vs. Denver, while the Chargers were beaten by the Packers at home in a 45-38 shootout last Sunday. Both teams are 4-4, tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for first place in the division.

Make no mistake, the Raiders desperately need this win. Their season has come to a crossroads, and it appears that, with all the highs and lows thus far, this team is going to go north or south depending on the outcome of Thursday's game.

So what’s the key for the Oakland Raiders? How do they pull off a huge win on the road? One word: defense.

The Oakland defense has been average at best, and putrid at worst, this season. The unit's inability to hold leads in the second half, especially against Buffalo in Week 2 and last week against Denver, has been frustrating and disheartening to watch.

The Chargers are ranked No. 6 in the NFL in points per game, and have the fourth-ranked passing offense. The Raiders will counter with a unit that is among the NFL's worst. Their porous run defense was embarrassed last week by the Broncos, with QB Tim Tebow and RB Willis McGahee each rushing for over 100 yards.

This week, they face a Chargers team that may be slightly banged up on offense, but is still very dangerous. If the Raiders want to be a playoff team in 2011, now is the time to get the defense in order.

One of the keys to the Raiders' possible success will be the inability this season of Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers to limit his interceptions.

Rivers leads all NFL quarterbacks in interceptions with 14, and with top wide receiver Malcom Floyd still injured, the Raider secondary will be expected to keep a lid on the Charger passing attack. If they fail to do so, there will be talk that this year's team are more pretenders than contenders.