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Oakland Raiders Week 10 X-Factors against the Los Angeles Chargers

By Matt Holder

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 29: Maxx Crosby #98 of the Oakland Raiders forces a fumble from Parris Campbell #15 of the Indianapolis Colts during the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 29: Maxx Crosby #98 of the Oakland Raiders forces a fumble from Parris Campbell #15 of the Indianapolis Colts during the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 03: Karl Joseph #42 and Erik Harris #25 of the Oakland Raiders react after making a stop on fourth down late in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at RingCentral Coliseum on November 03, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 03: Karl Joseph #42 and Erik Harris #25 of the Oakland Raiders react after making a stop on fourth down late in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at RingCentral Coliseum on November 03, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Karl Joseph

The former first-round pick is coming off his best game of the season and received the highest PFF grade of any Raider defender. Throughout his young career, Joseph has struggled to cover tight ends but was able to seal the victory over the Lions with an impressive pass break up over Logan Thomas. If that play is an indication that the safety has resolved one of his biggest deficiencies, then the turnaround comes at the perfect time for Oakland.

Los Angeles has a very impressive young tight end in Hunter Henry. The University of Arkansas product leads the position with 77.6 receiving yards per game and 10.21 yards per target (minimum 17 targets). With Henry in the lineup, LA averages 22 points per game and is 3-2 this season and without him, those figures drop to 18.25 and 1-3.

Similar to running backs, the Raiders defense struggles to cover tight ends. If Joseph can become the answer to said problem, the Bolts will struggle to move the ball on Thursday night.

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