Oakland Raiders: Second Quarter schedule breakdown and predictions

@Los Angeles Chargers

If the first quarter of the season plays out as predicted, the Raiders will roll into their week five matchup with the division rival Chargers riding a 3-1 record.

There are many out there who think the Chargers are solidly positioned to win the AFC West crown and make a playoff run. And it’s not hard to see why – though, it seems many of those projections are based less on what Los Angeles is doing, and more on what the Chiefs, Broncos, and Raiders have done this offseason.

There is no denying though, that the Chargers are a formidable opponent that always plays the Raiders tough. Always. Add to that, the fact that the Chargers are a good team that is solid on both sides of the ball, and you can guarantee this is going to be a slugfest.

After starting their 2017 campaign 0-4 under first-year coach Anthony Lynn, the Chargers then went on to rattle of wins in nine of the next twelve games to finish 9-7 and just miss the playoffs.

Now, with a full season of Lynn’s system under their collective belts, the return of several key players, and the addition of several more, the Chargers are looking to build on their momentum of last season.

Behind Philip Rivers, Melvin Gordon, and Keenan Allen, the Chargers carry a potent offense capable of scoring from anywhere on the field. Last year, Los Angeles had the league’s fourth-best total offense, and the number one ranked passing game. Suffice it to say, they can light it up.

And behind Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, the Chargers put the league’s fifteenth-best defense on the field in 2017. Though, they were susceptible to the run (ranking thirty-first in the league), they had the league’s third-best passing defense.

The Chargers were also incredibly stingy when it came to opponents scoring, giving up the third-fewest points in the league on the year. Just ask the Raiders how tough they are to score on after putting up just 16, and then 10 points in their two losses to Los Angeles last season.

Needless to say, the Raiders are going to have their work cut out for them if they want to steal a win in their rival’s backyard.

It’s going to a tough, hard-fought game. And it will be close, as these games with the Chargers usually are. In the end though, Los Angeles holds home court and punches out a win.

Raiders: 24 Chargers: 28