Oakland Raiders: A few keys to beating Chargers in week five matchup
By Kevin Saito
Limit Explosive Plays
Big plays have been an ongoing theme for the Raiders this season – both, giving them up, and not making enough of their own. That theme didn’t change on iota last week against the Browns.
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Oakland’s defense, in large stretches of this season, has done a fantastic job of smothering opposing offenses. They’ve looked sharp, effective, and have shut down the opposing team, both in the air, and on the ground. In stretches.
On the flip side of that, they have also gone long stretches where they can’t seem to stop – well – anything. They sometimes give up huge chunk plays, and if you look closely at it, those huge chunk – or explosive – plays the defense is surrendering, it’s turned the tide in all three losses.
It was also a big theme in their lone win over Cleveland. Fortunately, for the first time this year, Oakland’s offense was able to generate enough of their own big plays to counterpunch when the Browns hit them with a haymaker.
Against Cleveland, the big play problem was epitomized by running back Nick Chubb, who burst into the game with touchdown runs of 63, and then 41 yards. Quarterback Baker Mayfield added to the pile with a 49-yard touchdown pass to Darren Fells.
Fortunately, Derek Carr was able to overcome his two interceptions, and lead this team back from the abyss, overcoming a 14-point third quarter deficit with four touchdown passes on the day, in the win.
Now, they’ll be facing Philip Rivers and a San Diego offense that has a penchant for big, explosive plays, both on the ground, and through the air.
The Chargers can chew up yards with big, chunk plays, and they can also score from anywhere on the field in the blink of an eye. It’s a tough matchup, but one they absolutely must win.
This Raiders defense, if they want to build on last week’s momentum, and keep climbing out of the hole they dug for themselves, they’re going to need to limit those big chunk, explosive plays.