Win and you’re in. It’s that simple for Los Angeles Chargers Y Las vegas raiders as their Week 18 “Sunday Night Football” showdown concludes the regular season of the NFL 2021. These two AFC West rivals have struggled through a year of adversity to reach the precipice of the playoffs with a 9-7 record.
“This is going to be an exceptional soccer game for the NFL“, Said this week the head coach of the Chargers, Brandon Staley. “It’s like a playoff game before the playoffs start.”
Just don’t expect either team to wave the white flag before kick-off despite a strange scenario in which, if there is a draw, they both clinch the last two AFC postseason spots. It comes into play if the Colts lose to the Jaguars by two wins earlier on Sunday, a result that can never be ruled out in this parity year.
The Chargers They enter the game still licking their wounds three weeks after an overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs that would have given them control of the AFC West. A loss to the Texans 4-12 followed, the kind of maddening inconsistency that haunted Staley in his first season as head coach after a solid 4-1 start. When it’s at its best THE He can play anyone, scoring victories over playoff teams like the Chiefs, Bengals and Eagles while featuring one of the league’s best young players in quarterback Justin Herbert.
The Chargers can’t lose and make the playoffs while the Raiders They have a way out: They win if both the Colts and Steelers lose. But the fact that we’re even talking about the Raiders in the contest it is remarkable. The team was left for dead after a 3-0 start turned sour with the firing of head coach Jon Gruden following a nasty email scandal that rocked the NFL and the Raider Nation.
The Acting Head Coach Rich bisaccia, who was never a head coach at any level, got off to a rocky start but righted the boat with three straight wins in December over the Browns, Broncos and Colts. That’s tied for the longest active win streak in the AFC as his team tries to avenge a previous 28-14 loss to the Chargers under Gruden on Oct. 4.
May Bisaccia Help the Raiders to secure his first place in the playoffs in Sin City (and his first since 2016) with the support of his hometown fans? Or the Chargers Will they repeat the form they showed last week in a 34-13 beating of the Broncos for a spot?
Time and Channel Raiders vs Chargers
Beginning: Sunday, January 9 at 5:20 pm PT / 8:20 pm ET in the United States. 7:20 pm in Mexico.
TV: NBC in the United States. ESPN in Mexico.
Spread: Chargers -3
Three things to see
1.- Which players will be unavailable due to injuries and COVID-19 protocols?
For the most crucial game of the regular season of the NFL, you can’t beat COVID-19 and how it affects each 53-player roster. Fortunately for these two teams, they are relatively disease free. (There are only two reserves left of the Raiders under protocol).
It’s a long uphill road for the Chargers after losing key players such as former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (linebacker Joey Bosa), running back Austin Ekeler, and two Pro Bowl offensive linemen (center Corey Linsley, tackle Rashawn Slater) before their showdown against the Texans. Now all of those players have been removed from the Reserve / COVID-19 roster and are ready to contribute. Even tight end Jared Cook was activated this week, filling a key hole with the terrifying concussion suffered by Donald Parham Jr. last month.
On the injury front, only a handful of players are questionable other than Parham (injured reserve), and only one starter from the Chargers (linebacker Drue Tranquill) remains in doubt after missing the Broncos game last week with a leg injury. Linsley remains concerned about a back injury, but should be fine to start; teammate Pro Bowl safety Derwin James Jr. will be on the field despite a sore hamstring. James’ interception with three minutes remaining sealed the deal against the Raiders in October and it will be necessary for a high school that has gone the last two games without a pick.
The Raiders they’re a different story, putting 17 players on this week’s injury report. Among the limited ones are running back Josh Jacobs (ribs), defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (back), wide receiver DeSean Jackson (not injury related) and tight end Darren Waller (knee). At least Waller’s appearance is optimistic, looking to play for the first time in more than a month to open up another pass option for Derek Carr.
Simply step carefully on the Raiders and how much these injuries interrupt your rhythm. Many of the key cogs are limping on offense, a daunting sign for a team that scored just 18.7 points per game during its three-game winning streak.
2.- Can the Raiders offense control the line of scrimmage?
Supposing that Jacobs stay healthy is the key to a Raiders game plan focused on the 30th-ranked running defense. Chargers. For the past three weeks, Las Vegas has done nothing flashy. The Raiders they simply controlled the time of possession (over 33 minutes, 40 seconds per game) while being able to extend the series at key moments (4 of 4 on fourth down).
Jacobs he has been the focal point, carrying the ball 58 times. That’s the most for his lead in a three-game streak all year. Will the Chargers defense be able to step up? Against the Broncos, they limited Melvin Gordon III and Javonte Williams’ double running attack to just 73 yards on 24 carries. The last week? Rex Burkhead (yes, that Rex Burkhead of Patriots fame) rushed for 189 yards, 6.8 yards per carry and two touchdowns in an embarrassing performance for his D.
In October, Chargers they managed to stop Jacobs, limiting him to just 40 yards, no touchdowns and only 3.1 yards per carry.
3.- Which quarterback will come out of the shadows?
Superstars deliver at key moments, and Sunday night will be the biggest in the sophomore quarterback’s career. Herbert. The Pro Bowl caller of the Chargers He has already set a team record with 35 touchdown passes; three of those who come in the first match against the Raiders. He has gone turnabout against this team in three starts, passing for 862 yards and a QB rating well over 100.
Herbert has many weapons, from Ekeler to wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams (1,000 yards for both). The biggest difference this year is how he learned to use them, accelerated growth that did not go unnoticed by the Raiders.
“Not many quarterbacks can get past a first, second and then third reading,” Raiders linebacker KJ Wright said earlier this week. “[Herbert] he’s really good at it. He has a lot of poise. He has a lot of weapons… we can’t just let him just sit there. “
On the other hand, Derek Carr he’s struggled to even have a third option with all the offensive changes: Waller’s injury, the loss of Henry Ruggs III and Jackson’s disappointing play. They won last month with Carr running the game for them instead of winning it.
For that to change Sunday, wide receiver Hunter Renfrow has to get more involved. After 13 catches in a loss to the Chiefs, Renfrow had 13 overall during this three-game winning streak despite being the Raiders’ leading receiver. Waller’s presence could open up the coverage, presenting more opportunities for one of the NFL’s pleasant upsets this season.
ESPN’s Matt Bowen reports that the plan is to use some Hi-Lo schemes for Renfrow a third time. But at the end of the day … Carr must execute. His tenure with the Raiders has included more Pro Bowl appearances (three) than playoff offers (one) and a disappointing 56-70 record as a starter. At age 30 and with a vibrant QB market this offseason, Sunday could mark his last best chance to prove his long-term worth as a starter.
Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers LIVE
How you feel about this game depends on how lucky you feel about the Raiders. On paper, they don’t appear to be a playoff team; a -11 turnover margin would be the worst for a playoff team since Indianapolis in 2012. They rank 31st in red zone efficiency on offense and last in red zone defense. Only three AFC teams – the Jets, Texans and Jaguars – are ranked below their minus 68 point differential.
But Las Vegas It is not about being lucky? Beginning with their wild season-opening overtime victory over the Ravens, this team has set a record for the NFL with five wins on the last play of the game. That has built confidence around the field goal kicker Daniel carlson along with an unshakable belief that they are never out of any game.
The Chargers they have the greatest advantage and the most talent. The Raiders? They just know how to win.
In a year full of parity, that feels pretty good when Silver and Black play at home.
Prediction: Raiders 24, Chargers 21
Tags: Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Chargers, Raiders vs Chargers Last modified: January 9, 2022
We would like to thank the writer of this write-up for this incredible content
Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers LIVE Time, Channel, Where to watch Week 18 NFL 2022