Raiders: 5 matchups to watch vs. Chargers in Week 17

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 25: Zach Ertz No. 86 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to get past Karl Joseph No. 42 of the Oakland Raiders after making a catch during the fourth quarter of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 25, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Raiders 19-10. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Karl Joseph vs. Philip Rivers

This matchup is terrific. We’ve got Raiders safety Karl Joseph going up against one of the best quarterbacks of his generation in Philip Rivers. Joseph has made great strides in his second year out of West Virginia. Maybe he taps into that Pro Bowl potential in year three in 2018? Rivers is certainly Canton bound, but does he have one last Super Bowl run in him?

Joseph is on the rise as a playmaker in the back-end of the Oakland defense, while Rivers is the shining star of this Chargers offense. He won’t be around forever, so we must enjoy the quirky, side-armed slingshot delivery of his while we can. It’s better to watch from afar rather than see him carve up the Raiders secondary.

Simply put, Rivers is playing some of the best ball of his career. He will be back in the Pro Bowl this January. In essence, he will get his on the Raiders defense this week, but will a guy like Joseph be able to do anything to slow him down a tad? Joseph’s ball skills have started to emerge in the last few weeks since the move from Ken Norton Jr. to John Pagano as defensive coordinator.

If Rivers throws for over 300 yards, three touchdowns and fewer than two interceptions, then the Chargers stand a great chance at winning the ball game and maybe making the playoffs. Should Joseph corral the certain errant throw from Rivers that is coming, maybe the Raiders can pick off the Chargers in this one to get to 7-9?

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