Oakland Raiders: A Few Keys To Victory Over The San Diego Chargers

Contain Joey Bosa

After his protracted contract squabble and having missed so much time, the Chargers are really looking forward to finally having their first round pick on the field. Bosa’s return is the only bright spot in what has been an increasingly dark and dismal season for the Chargers.

And for Bosa’s part, he’s going to want to come out and prove himself. Having been raked over the coals by fans, teammates, former San Diego greats, and the media, Bosa has got to be feeling an inmmense amount of pressure.

As a first round pick – and one that held out at that – Bosa is going to want to live up to expectations.

The Raiders should expect him to come out fired up and with a massive chip on his shoulder looking to prove something. He’s going to be looking to make a good first impression, make some plays – and make everybody forget his ridiculous training camp hold out.

Which means that it’s going to be up to the Great Wall of Oakland to keep the rookie down.

Oakland’s line has done a fantastic job of keeping Derek Carr clean so far this season. His two sacks are a league low, they’ve blown open holes for the running backs, and they’ve given Carr more than enough time to operate.

The ever shifting line of Donald Penn, Kelechi Osemele, Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson, Menelik Watson – and whoever happens to be filling in for the latest injury on the line – has been remarkable at keeping pass rushers away from Carr.

Pro Football Focus may not be high on Oakland’s line, but to anybody watching this line play, you couldn’t be anything but impressed with their effort. They are going to have to step it up another notch, since you know the Chargers will be sending everybody – including the peanut vendor – after Carr.

And with Bosa looking to make a name for himself, the line is going to have to play even bigger.