Oakland Raiders v. LA Chargers: Six Things That Must Happen

Avoid A Quick Start By The Opposition

In three of the five games so far this season, Oakland’s defense has allowed their opponents to score on their opening drive – Tennessee, Washington, and Baltimore. In that fourth game, Denver only had to wait until their second drive to put up a score.

The only game where the defense made the other team really work for their first touchdown was in week two – against a Jets the Raiders overwhelmed from the start.

Last season, there didn’t seem to be a hole Oakland’s offense couldn’t dig them out of. You got the sense that the Raiders could score at any time, from anywhere. Carr and his receiving corps was lethal and they could turn a game around on a dime.

But so far this year, we haven’t really gotten that sense from this offense. This year – outside of that Jets game – it seems like this offense is scuffling. Struggling. Like they’re not even close to firing on all cylinders.

Which makes it imperative that Oakland’s defense does not let the Charger offense get off to a strong, quick start. To this point in the season, this is a team that hasn’t played well from behind. So, it’s critical that the defense don’t put the offense in a hole from the start.

Or that the offense doesn’t shoot themselves in the foot and make a hole even deeper – yeah, we’re looking at you, Jared Cook.

It is vital that this defense stand up and keep the Chargers from getting off to a quick start. And it’s equally vital that Oakland’s offense comes out strong and play from ahead – not from behind.