Chargers
vs.
Raiders
Week 5
NFL Pick
10/9/16
There is a chance for an awful lot of points to be scored in Week 5 when San Diego visits Oakland. The Raiders have a chance to solidify themselves as a contender in the AFC West. They are 3-1, a Game behind Denver and a Game ahead of Kansas City. The Chargers are looking to stay relevant. At 1-3, they are in last place in the division and need a win to GAin ground on Oakland.
San Diego features the NFL’s 14th-ranked offense; the Raiders are 3rd. The Chargers have the league’s 8th-best passing offense; Oakland falls in at 9th.
Both teams’ offenses have the potential to be potent, but it’s the defenses that may have even more say in this one being a high-scoring Game. The Raiders rank 32nd in overall defense and passing defense. San Diego ranks 21st overall and 27th against the pass.
Just for good measure, Oakland also has the next to worst rush defense in the NFL. Both teams surrender points at a high rate already. Oakland is 22nd, allowing 26.5 points per Game; San Diego is 24th, allowing 27.0 points per Game.
Philip Rivers is throwing the ball for nearly 300 yards per Game. He’s thrown seven touchdowns against only on interception. Rivers is attempting about 35 passes per Game with only the one interception. It has been impressive.
On the end, it’s been Derek Carr leading the way, finding ways to gut out wins. Each of Oakland’s Four Games has been decided by one possession, while they have found a way to win two of their Games by a single point.
Carr has completed 68% of his passes for fewer yards per Game but has been even more efficient with the ball. He has thrown nine touchdown passes to only one interception so far.
Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree have been one of the Game’s best duos at wide receiver as well. They each have over 300 yards receiver to their name. Crabtree has also caught Four touchdown passes.
Both teams’ quarterbacks do such a good job of taking care of the football that neither team has had to worry much about turning the ball over too much early this season. Oakland holds a plus-Four turnover margin; San Diego has a plus-one.
Our Pick – Pretty much a must win Game for the Chargers. We have this Game as a toss up so we will gladly take any points available in a series where the underdog has been the percentage play over the years. Chargers +3.5