Week 1 Chargers Raiders Preview
Added on Sep 14, 2009 by sbworld in
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San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders
This line had the Chargers favored at -9 most of the week, but almost everywhere has the line at 10 points now. That is the margin San Diego won at Oakland last season, by a 28-18 final.
San Diego snuck into the playoffs with an 8-8 record in 2008, but then managed a stunning upset of the Indianapolis Colts before falling to eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh. Oakland finished the year 5-11, but the last two games sent it out on a high note as it defeated Houston and Tampa Bay.
What would the National Football League be without Al Davis and his Oakland Raiders? The eccentric owner is always at the switchboard behind his team’s wheeling and dealing, including the recent acquisition of all-pro defensive end Richard Seymour. The first round draft pick given up to the Patriots might hurt down the road, but Seymour’s presence in the now will be a huge asset for Oakland after it finished 24th in the NFL in total defense last season and 31st against the pass.
Just how much Seymour will play a role against the Chargers remains to be seen. Seymour will certainly be in game shape as he was active prior to the trade, yet it isn’t known if he will be rushed into the starting lineup or sharing the end spot for the opener.
The Raiders have some stalwarts on defense in addition to Seymour, including possibly the best bump-and-run cornerback in the NFL in Nnamdi Asomugha. He was re-signed in the offseason, quite possibly the best move of the Oakland summer. The linebacker group is led by Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard and is also a plus for the team. But as many positives there are for the defense, there are negatives. Former first round draft pick Michael Huff has been a borderline bust, while the rest of the defensive line and backfield is iffy at best.
If the Raiders can’t stop opposing offenses in 2009, they’ll likely be one of the bottom dwellers once again. Oakland has three talented running backs in Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas, and Michael Bush running behind an offensive line that has been shifting parts but getting no results. The move of Robert Gallery to guard isn’t likely to turn him into an all-pro, while his mates on the O-line have their own problems. Dealing with pass rushers such as Shaun Phillips and the returning Shawne Merriman might pose more problems than they can handle. JaMarcus Russell must show this season that he is the leader that will team will count on for years to come. The weapons Russell has at receiver are questionable at best, however, as who knows what to expect from guys like headcase Javon Walker and first round draft pick Darrius Heyward-Bey.
San Diego will looking for another season sweep of the Raiders and the return from knee injury of Merriman makes this a scary defense once again. With their star versatile linebacker, the Chargers were in the top half of the league in defense every season. Without Merriman last year, the defense dropped to 25th. Putting him back in there will help the pass rush, stopping the run, and defending the pass. He is simply that good. He appears to be 100 percent and San Diego is crossing their fingers that it will remain that way.
Offensively, the Chargers saw a big drop in production from LaDainian Tomlinson last season but made up for it through the air as Philip Rivers threw for over 4,000 yards and 34 touchdowns. It is an offense that possesses many threats such as Vincent Jackson (59 catches, 1098 yards, seven TD’s) and Antonio Gates (60 catches, 704 yards, eight TD’s), but to take this offense to an even greater level would be a resurgence from LT. Whether that happens or Tomlinson’s best days are behind him remains to be seen.
This matchup clearly favors the Chargers at almost all positions, but you can’t discount the crazy Oakland fans on opening night. They will bring it and expect a good performance from the home team.
Prediction: San Diego 35, Oakland 24
