The Chargers have won the last nine games against the Raiders including 5 out of the last six in Oakland.  Still, the Chargers can’t look past the Raiders who match up semi well with them in some areas.  The Chargers have not run the ball too well this season as they are only averaging 97.3 yards rushing per game and 3.7 yards per carry.  With the way Philip Rivers has played so far this season the gameplan could be to throw the ball to get the lead and then grind away at the clock with the running game.  The Chargers have only allowed 2 sacks this season but the Raiders will be blitzing him a lot as they already have 8 sacks this season.  With the Raiders having a effective pass rush it might be smart for the Chargers to work on the short passing game to the RBs and Antonio Gates to loosen up the Raiders’ secondary before going deep to WRs Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers.

The Raiders will attempt to do what they do the best and run the football against the Chargers with Darren McFadden and Michael Bush.  The Raiders are averaging an amazing 182.7 yards rushing per game this season and 5.1 yards per carry.  The Chargers are allowing a stunning 5.0 ypc this season so the Raiders should get there running game going early and often.  The Raiders should take the training wheels off of JaMarcus Russell and let him throw the ball deep off of play action against a Chargers’ pass defense that is allowing 284.7 yards passing per game.

PREDICTION:  SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 27, OAKLAND RAIDERS 20