NFL 2019-20 Thursday Night Football Preview: Chargers Visit Oakland for AFC West Showdown

           

Los Angeles Chargers 4-5

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 Oakland Raiders 4-4

4. Oakland Raiders (

Last year, the Chargers looked like possible legitimate Super Bowl contenders, and they threatened to steal the AFC West away from the heavily favored Kansas City Chiefs.           


This year, the Chargers look a lot more pedestrian. However, they did manage to pull off a mightily impressive win against the Packers next weekend, so they should be riding high as they enter this game.           


Meanwhile, Oakland is steadily making improvements, even if it is not obvious that they are potentially serious playoff contenders. They have been consistently inconsistent, however. There are times when they look on the verge of breaking out and becoming serious contenders. But there are other times when they stall and fall flat in games where you kind of expect them to perform better, if not outright win.           


This is actually a fairly important game, as both teams really need to win if they stop to have any serious chance at making a run at the playoffs. Neither team can afford a loss, and both desperately need to win to keep heir hopes alive.           


So, who will come out in this one?           


I believe that the Chargers should be the better overall team. They are led by a veteran quarterback, and still have a defense that can help this team win games. They desperately need this win to finally establish some kind of a winning streak, and maybe get this season to show more promise than they have to this point in the season.           

However, the unpredictable Raiders are not to be overlooked. Again, they seem to come alive at surprising times, and they also can be especially tough at home, in the “Black Hole” of Oakland, which will remain their home for at least the duration of this season, despite the impending move to Las Vegas, Nevada.           


It is a hard game to call. But in the end, my pick has to go with the team I believe to be the more complete, better unit overall, and that would be the away team.           

My pick: L.A. Chargers

Actually, you know what? After thinking about it some more, I am switching my pick. The Chargers have shown too much inconsistency, while the Raiders have shown steady improvement this season.

So, I am switching my pick in favor of the home team.

My pick: Oakland Raiders