5 Oakland Raiders to watch vs. Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17

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OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 08: Marshawn Lynch No. 24 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates with Kelechi Osemele No. 70 after scoring in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Kelechi Osemele

Though he might be starting at left guard in the Pro Bowl, Kelechi Osemele might need his best game of the season in the last week of the season to beat the Chargers. He and the offensive interior will have to deal with Donald Penn being out and possibly Vadal Alexander with a concussion.

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Keep in mind that the Chargers have the best pass-rushing tandem in football with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. Those two might have a field day going up against Marshall Newhouse possibly playing out of position and rookie fourth-rounder David Sharpe of Florida. Sharpe has played sparingly in his rookie season with the Silver and Black.

So Osemele will have to help out whoever is filling in for the injured Penn at left tackle. Keeping Bosa out of Derek Carr’s face is going to be so difficult, but that’s the task Osemele and the Raiders are up against.

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We also need to realize that running back Marshawn Lynch stands a great chance at reaching 10,000 yards on Sunday afternoon. If Todd Downing lets Osemele and company maul the Chargers’ defensive line with some power running concepts, it could be a big day for the Oakland ground game. So there’s that to look forward to.

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