The Los Angeles Chargers are in the playoffs (woo!!) and have one more regular season game ahead. Here are some tips for success against their division rival:
Chargers 5 Keys To Victory
1. Get Ahead In Scoring Early and Stay Ahead
The beautiful thing about the Chargers winning on Sunday, other than getting into the playoffs, was that quarterback Justin Herbert got some much-needed rest in the fourth quarter, when backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke took over as the Chargers had a comfortable 30-point lead. If the Chargers are able to get up early and keep the lead, and if they play their starters for seeding purposes, hopefully, the same thing happens, where Herbert and others like running back J.K.Dobbins get some much-needed bench time. The Chargers starters are critical as they enter the playoffs, so the more rest they can get, the better.
2. Contain Raiders Tight End Brock Bowers
Rookie Brock Bowers has had a breakout rookie season with the Raiders and is currently leading the team in all areas of receiving, specifically in targets (139), receptions (108), yards (1,144), and receiving touchdowns (four). So it makes sense that Bowers showed up in quite a few Chargers mock drafts in the offseason. It will take the power of the entire secondary to contain Bowers, so I expect cornerbacks like Cam Hart and Kristian Fulton to be hard at work. Bowers is too good to be allowed to make big plays.
3. Beware of Raiders Safety Tre’von Moehrig and Linebacker Robert Spillane
With Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and defensive end Maxx Crosby out for the year with injuries, others have had to step up, and two of those players have been Spillane and Moehrig. Both Spillane and Moehrig hold the best run defense grades of the team, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
And Moehrig in particular has had career-highs in other areas this year like sacks (two), hurries (nine), and batted passes (three). He’s also someone to watch for on the receiver coverage front.
And Spillane, during the Chargers first game against the Raiders in Week 1, in the second quarter he stopped running back Gus Edwards by actually pushing him into right guard Trey Pipkins III.
The run blocking as well as the pass blocking will need to be on point in this upcoming matchup. Pipkins has been working through a hip injury, so hopefully he’ll be well enough to play this week so the offensive line can be at full strength. And having fullback/defensive lineman Scott Matlock in the picture as well as tight end Will Dissly, should be enough to keep the offensive line solid.
4. Keep Bringing The Pass Rush
Derwin James, Khalil Mack, and Joey Bosa were all over Patriots quarterback Drake Maye during the last game, with James having two sacks while Mack had one that Bosa came in on late. James’ sacks in particular came on two different fourth downs as the Patriots went for it to just get anything happening on offense.
If the starters are played, Mack, Bosa, and James are going to be counted on to pressure Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell. Remember the first game O’Connell ever played against the Chargers in Week 4 of 2023 where Mack sacked him six times? Let’s see if we can’t get a repeat of that.
5. Don’t Allow Explosive Plays
The Chargers allowed one explosive play against the Patriots where Maye threw a deep pass that Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas actually caught as he fell to the ground, and then he rolled into the end zone for the Patriots’ only score of the game.
There may have been a little confusion as there was a penalty earlier and the Patriots got a free play, but it was certainly a misstep by the Chargers’ defense.
Bowers is probably the most explosive threat on the Raiders, but as demonstrated by the Patriots, one such play can truly come out of nowhere, so the Chargers have to be prepared. Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker had a career-high 58-yard touchdown in Week 13 against the Chiefs on a deep shot from O’Connell, so the defense just has to lock it down this next game, especially in the deep part of the field.