Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers: 3 things to watch in Week 9
The Raiders should be able to move the ball through the air
The Las Vegas Raiders offense is ranked just outside the top 10 in total yards but after last week’s game and the insane weather, the pass offense has fallen out of the top 15. A game with around 100 yards net passing will do that so no need to panic for now as the pass offense was in the top seven before that.
The Chargers currently have the 21st ranked pass defense and just like Raiders, do not generate a great deal of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. LA has 15 sacks on the season and get pressures on 24% of opponent pass plays so Derek Carr should have plenty of time to operate behind his offensive line.
They are also ranked seventh in the league in passing touchdowns allowed with 14 in seven games. 5 of those touchdowns allowed have gone to tight ends so we can expect another big day for Darren Waller on Sunday.
Raiders receivers were largely overlooked in Week 8 due to the weather but should find plenty of real estate against a defense that has allowed the fourth most air yards in the league. Carr’s long range aerial attack should be back in full effect against this defense that struggled to contain an inferior offense in the Denver Broncos last week.