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LA Chargers (5-8) at Las Vegas Raiders (5-8)
Neither of these teams have officially been eliminated from playoff contention yet. But in both cases, it feels like just a matter of time. More a question of when, rather than if. And I would expect that the loser of this game will obviously be the first eliminated from playoff contention.
So to the extent that this particular game has any real playoff ramifications to it, that would probably be it right there.
The strange thing is that these two teams are strongest for this meeting in one aspect: the Raiders are best when they play at home, where they are 4-3 on the season. Meanwhile, the Chargers are better playing on the road, where they are 3-3 on the year. That makes this game a little more difficult to predict.
By and large, the Chargers have the better, more explosive offense of the two, while the Raiders have the better defense. That seems especially true at home, when the Raiders seem to almost be stifling other offenses. I have not seen the Raiders very often this season, but their defense, led by defensive end Maxx Crosby, have actually looked downright stifling.
That makes this a difficult game to predict. Still, I feel like the Raiders should have the clear advantage. And remember, they may have lost last weekend, but they held Minnesota to zero points until the final few minutes of the game. So the defense played well. They should be able to give the Chargers, who will be without their star wide receiver Keenan Allen, a very tough time. True, that field goal was enough for the Vikings to come away with the win last weekend. But surely, the Raiders will not be quite so inept for two games in a row, will they?
Look for the Raiders to pull off a rare win in this one, although in truth, either team could come alive enough to pull off the win here. That is why neither of these teams will be heading for the playoffs.
My pick: Las Vegas
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