Las Vegas Raiders at Chargers: Game preview and prediction in 2021 Week 4
By Nick Bailey
Las Vegas Raiders at Chargers: Game preview and prediction in 2021 Week 4
Game Preview
The deeper you dive into the numbers on these teams, you can see how similar they really are. Per ESPN.com, in total offensive rankings, the Raiders are first in the league and the Chargers are ninth, and it’s even closer in passing yards per game, where the Raiders once again are first, but the Chargers come in fourth on that one.
In total rushing yards per game, the Raiders are 25th in the league, and the Chargers are 26th, but the scoring rankings are the biggest difference, as the Raiders are seventh in the league averaging 30 points per game, and the Chargers rank 20th with 22.3.
The similarities don’t only come on the offensive side, as their defenses have been very close in rankings as well, as in total defense, the Raiders are 13th and the Chargers are 17.
One area of the Chargers’ defense the Raiders should try to exploit is the Chargers’ run defense, especially if Josh Jacobs or Jalen Richard can return from injury because the Chargers are the worst in the league in run defense. As I said in the introduction, both quarterbacks are playing at an MVP level.
Derek Carr has passed for over 380 yards in all three starts this season, mostly due to necessity as the Raiders rushing game had struggled until last week because of starting running back’s Josh Jacobs toe injury. Last week, against the Miami Dolphins, the Raiders were finally able to break through with the running game, and Peyton Barber had over 100 yards rushing and a touchdown.
On Monday night, this is a game that is going to go down to the wire, as both teams have a solid pass rush, have quarterbacks playing at a high level, and are both legitimate playoff contenders. Luckily for the Silver and Black, playing in Los Angeles or San Diego has been another home game for them through the years.