The Chargers will look to get back on track in a Week 13 matchup with the Raiders on Sunday.
Here are a few reasons to be optimistic about a win for Los Angeles.
Improving health
The Chargers opened the practice window for running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) and defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia (elbow) to return from injured reserve, which gets LA about as close as possible to being fully healthy for the remainder of the season. Offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are still out for the year, as is running back Najee Harris, but the only contributor remaining on IR that is expected to be able to return if Hampton and Ogbonnia return this week will be backup running back Hassan Haskins. That’s crucial for a team that’s struggled so much with injuries this season and needs to prepare for a stretch run in a crowded AFC playoff picture.
Plenty of weapons
Ladd McConkey leads the Chargers in receiving yards with 644, but Keenan Allen leads LA in receptions with 56. Quentin Johnston leads the team in receiving touchdowns with 6. Put those three and rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II together and Los Angeles is the only team in the league that has four players with at least 35 receptions, 500 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns. The Raiders are currently starting Eric Stokes and Kyu Blu Kelly at cornerback, so LA should have plenty of opportunity to find any of their options when Justin Herbert drops back to pass.
Third down supremacy
The Chargers’ offense, despite all their struggles both healthwise and conceptually, is third in the NFL in third-down efficiency at 45.8%. On defense, LA holds opponents to just 35.6% on third down, the fifth-best mark in the league. Meanwhile, Las Vegas ranks 25th on offense (36.2%) and 29th on defense (43%) on third downs. In short, LA should be able to keep the ball moving and prevent the Raiders from engineering long drives on Sunday.
Justin Herbert’s bounceback opportunity
Herbert had the worst game of his career before the bye week, mustering only 81 yards and 2 interceptions in a 35-6 demolition by the Jaguars. But in 10 prior matchups against the Raiders in his career, Herbert has thrown 20 touchdowns and only 2 picks while going 7-3 against the Chargers’ rival. LA’s quarterback threw for 242 yards and 2 touchdowns against Las Vegas in Week 2.
Recent history
Jim Harbaugh has had the Raiders’ number since arriving as the Chargers head coach, as the team has beaten Las Vegas by double digits in all three matchups since Harbaugh got the job. Since moving to LA, the Chargers are also 4-1 against the Raiders, with the only loss coming in the 2020 season when fans were not allowed in the stadium. With Las Vegas sliding down the stretch, there’s not much reason to think that Los Angeles won’t be able to continue those streaks on Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 5 reasons for optimism for the Chargers against the Raiders in Week 13
Reporting by Alex Katson, Chargers Wire / Chargers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
