Raiders: 5 matchups to watch vs. Chargers in Week 17
By John Buhler
The Oakland Raiders will face a playoff desperate team in the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday afternoon. Here are the five matchups in this game to watch.
It may be the last game of the season for the Oakland Raiders in 2017, but they have one more divisional battle with the Los Angeles Chargers to get through. While Oakland is out of the playoff mix, Los Angeles is still fighting for one of two AFC wild card berths heading into rivalry weekend.
The Chargers were able to beat the Raiders in The Coliseum back on Week 6 thanks to a last-second field goal by Nick Novak. That was the Raiders’ fourth loss in a row, as they fell to 2-4 to begin the season. Oakland would go on a 4-2 run after that, but have since lost three straight. The Raiders won’t want to end 2017 on a four-game slide either.
Though both teams could be sitting at home in January, let’s not overlook the sheer amount of talent on these two rosters. There are great players on both sides of the ball for both teams. The Raiders will be well represented at the Pro Bowl thanks to a mauling offensive line. Los Angeles has arguably the best pass-rushing tandem in football in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram.
It should be a great game nonetheless. Los Angeles will be getting the Raiders at their temporary home at the StubHub Center in Carson. This will be the first time that the Silver and Black get to check out the home of the MLS’ LA Galaxy. With so many great players, there will be so many matchups to watch. Here are the best five when the Raiders take on the Chargers in Week 17 in Carson.
Derek Carr vs. Tre Boston
2017 has been a year of great frustration for Raiders starting quarterback Derek Carr. After getting paid out the wazoo this offseason, he would suffer a broken bone in his back in Week 4’s road loss to the Denver Broncos. He and the Raiders offense haven’t been the same since. Here’s to the gang rebounding marvelously in 2018.
Carr is coming off one of his most troubling games of the season. While passing the ball in windy Lincoln Financial Field on Christmas night against the Philadelphia Eagles defense was tough sledding, there is no excuse for him to not let it rip versus the Chargers on Sunday, even if they are loaded in the defensive backfield.
Los Angeles has been a playoff-caliber team since October. The Chargers were able to overcome their 0-4 start thanks to a well-balanced offense, an awesome pass rush and a terrific defensive backfield. The guy that will look to pick off Carr in this one is free safety Tre Boston.
Boston has been a big part in the Chargers’ turnaround of late. Los Angeles would be the most compelling wild card team should the Chargers make the AFC playoffs. If Boston is able to corral an errant pass from Carr or two, it’s over for the Raiders, period.