This is a matchup between two teams that are not playing their best football right now.  The Chargers are 0-3 since their bye week and the Raiders have lost two games in a row after losing their starting QB, Jason Campbell.  The Chargers are still tied with the Raiders and Chiefs atop of the AFC West, so this is a HUGE football game for both teams.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Chargers have the ball:  The Raiders have had some injuries in the secondary, so I look for Philip Rivers to attack them down the field with throws to WRs Vincent Jackson, Vincent Brown and TE Antonio Gates.  The Raiders are giving up 246.9 yards passing per game this year, so I think Rivers is in line to maybe have his best game of the year throwing the ball tonight.  The Raiders are also giving up 139.6 yards rushing per game and 5.2 yards per carry, so Mike Tolbert and Ryan Mathews (if he plays) are going to get their fair share of carries.

When the Raiders have the ball:  The Raiders are likely going to try to fight fire with fire in this game, as Carson Palmer will likely be tossing the ball around the field.  This is good news for the Chargers, as Palmer has thrown 3 TD passes and 6 INTs in his first two games with the Raiders.  The Chargers should give help over the top to whichever corner is covering Raiders’ WR Jacoby Ford as he is a very fast big time playmaker in the passing game for Oakland.  The Raiders will also likely give the ball to Michael Bush alot tonight as the Chargers are giving up 120.0 yards rushing per game and 4.5 yards per carry.

PREDICTION:  CHARGERS 27, RAIDERS 20

The Chargers have five players who were selected for the Pro Bowl but I think they would rather play the next week in the Super Bowl.  28-year old QB Philip Rivers played awesome football all season long earning this reward.  He has played in 15 games this season for the Chargers and he has completed 308 of 471 passes (65.4%) for 4,155 yards with 27 TD passes and 9 INTs (104.5 QB Rating).  He also has carried the ball 26 times for 50 yards (1.9 ypc) with 1 TD run this year.  29-year old TE Antonio Gates is going with Rivers to Miami.  He has played in 15 games this season for the Chargers and he has caught 78 passes for 1,145 yards (14.7 avg) with 7 TD grabs.  28-year old guard Kris Dielman has done a great job for the Chargers this season both protecting Rivers and blowing open some impressive holes for the RBs.  Dielman is a big guy at 6’4″, 320 pounds and he has started all 15 games for the Chargers this season.  27-year old kicker Nate Kaeding will also be making the trip to Miami as he has turned in a excellent season for the Chargers.  He has made 29 of 32 field goals (90.6%) this season and he has made 48 of 49 extra points good for 135 points.  29-year old Kassim Osgood has made the Pro Bowl as the special teams player.  He has played in 15 games this season for the Chargers and he has 12 tackles.  The Chargers hope that they will be able to scratch these five players from the Pro Bowl so that they can play in the Super Bowl the next weekend.