Los Angeles Chargers (4-5 SU, 3-4-2 ATS) vs. Oakland Raiders (4-4 SU, 5-3 ATS)
Week 10 NFL
Date/Time: Thursday Night Football, November 7, 2019 at 8:20PM EST
Where: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California
TV: Fox/NFL
By Loot, NFL Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Point Spread: LAC pk/OAK pk
Over/Under Total: 47.5
The Los Angeles Chargers come into the Coliseum to face the Oakland Raiders on Thursday Night Football. This will be the last time the Chargers come into the Coliseum, where these two usually play a competitive game. The Chargers have managed to right the ship somewhat, getting to 4-5 on the heels of two straight wins, including a 26-11 win over the Green Bay Packers at home on Sunday. They look to even their mark this week, something the Raiders were able to do last week with a nice 31-24 win over Detroit. Now in the second game of a big three game homestand, the Raiders look to do damage in the first meeting this season between these AFC West rivals.
The Chargers are starting to do some things people predicted before the season began. In beating Chicago at Soldier Field and then a 7-1 Green Bay team with ease at home, things are looking up and getting to .500 would be a major accomplishment for a team that had looked like it bottomed out a few weeks ago. Getting some guys back helped and Melvin Ingram's return boosted the defense and the overall pass-rush. The defense is starting to realize its potential. Some upticks on offense are also resonating and we'll see where the Chargers can take it from here.
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Helping on Sunday was a resurgent Chargers' run-game. For much of the first half of the season, the holdout from Melvin Gordon and inconsistent work up front with the line had rendered a powerful Chargers' running-game an afterthought. On Sunday, we saw Gordon looking as good as he has all season, running for 80 yards and two touchdowns, while Austin Ekeler ran for another 70 yards. The impact of having a viable tight end in there has manifested with Hunter Henry connecting well with Philip Rivers. Mike Williams was over 100 yards on Sunday and Keenan Allen is due for a really big game. A deep cast of offensive weapons is starting to show. Rivers is making less mistakes. They remain a dangerous offense and look to have gotten into a little groove.
Again, getting some key guys back will certainly help a defense that could really be special under close-to-ideal conditions. Ingram had 1.5 sacks upon his return and it seemed to enliven Joey Bosa, who added 1.5 sacks of his own. They have a good secondary that is both stout and playmaking, led by Desmond King, Casey Hayward, Michael Davis, and hopefully before long, Derwin James. Even with the missing personnel and the other side of the ball not always cooperating, the defense has been showing some fangs lately. With the conditions getting better, perhaps they can start putting it together for a big second-half run.
Oakland has definitely seen a surge this season. Whether they make a postseason run is another matter, but a level of respectability has definitely been earned. Some additions have started to work their magic, while both sides of the ball show promise. Make no mistake, there are still flaws-galore and some of them are real drawbacks. But there are some things they are starting to click well and at home in a divisional setting, they stand out as very legitimate threats.
Derek Carr has done some really nice things in recent weeks. He remains deathly accurate, completing passes at a better than 71% rate. A lot of weaponry is starting to form around him. Aerially, we see tight end Darren Waller, WR Tyrell Williams, rookie Hunter Renfrow, Zay Jones and others providing some production, developing an increased chemistry with Carr. With over 120 yards on the ground in three of his last four games, we are starting to see a big boost from rookie back Josh Jacobs. Him being a regular contributor could really open up things on offense. It already is.
The Oakland defense is an area of slightly less promise. But maybe they can make it work. Granted, that secondary is very leaky and remains a major liability. Against the Chargers, it could definitely rear its ugly head. On Sunday, they gave up more than 400 yards to Matthew Stafford and the Lions, but were still able to contain them to 24 points. They can get a good pass-rush from time to time and are actually somewhat stout against the run. But a big part of this game does come down to how well the secondary copes with Rivers and all his weapons. And if they get torched, which is a distinct possibility, can they at least register some big plays in order to tilt things more in their favor?
It has the looks of a competitive game. I think the Chargers have more tools on both sides of the ball. And getting their placekicker back finally this season could pay off, as dicey placekicking has been a definite hindrance this season. But the Raiders are a team that seems a little more inclined to go for the gusto. They get a little more out of what they have. They might get beat, but are less-apt to beat themselves. In a game that isn't easy to call, being at home and just being a little more-reliable to perform closer to their best makes me feel like the Raiders are the right call in this spot. I'll take Oakland.
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