Oakland Raiders: 5 keys to victory vs. Chargers

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Derek Carr No. 4 and running back Marshawn Lynch No. 24 of the Oakland Raiders celebrate after a play against the Denver Broncos in the second quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Derek Carr No. 4 and running back Marshawn Lynch No. 24 of the Oakland Raiders celebrate after a play against the Denver Broncos in the second quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 08: Philip Rivers No. 17 of the Los Angeles Chargers throws the ball out of the endzone for a safety after a muffed snap under pressure from Jonathan Casillas No. 52 of the New York Giants in the first quarter during an NFL game at MetLife Stadium on October 8, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 08: Philip Rivers No. 17 of the Los Angeles Chargers throws the ball out of the endzone for a safety after a muffed snap under pressure from Jonathan Casillas No. 52 of the New York Giants in the first quarter during an NFL game at MetLife Stadium on October 8, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)

Give the Chargers a long field each possession

An underrated part of the Raiders’ season has been the great play of its punter Marquette King. He is getting great hang time on his punts, as well as booming kicks deep into the other team’s territory. His strong leg has helped mask inefficiencies in this team defensively by putting the opposition in a long field.

Sure, the Chargers have the offensive firepower with Philip Rivers under center to go the length of the field from any distance. However, it’s better to have Rivers start drives inside his own 15 than past his own 25.

Rivers and the Chargers will presumably turn the football over. This is what they do. The more space you give the Chargers offense to operate, the more likely they’ll mismanage the football and give it to the Raiders.

Factor in the crowd noise of Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum and it will definitely be one of the loudest of 16 road games Los Angeles will play this year. Football truly is a game of battling for field position. Giving the Chargers less than opportune places to start drives from could be huge in a Raiders’ Week 6 victory.

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