Raiders Running the Ball
- 6th in Yards/Game (140).
- 9th in Yards/Carry (4.5).
- 17th in Rush TDs (2).
- 17th in Runs for 1st downs (21.0%).
- 12th in Runs for 20+ Yards (3).
- 15th in Fumbles (2).
The bad news for Chargers fans is that it looks like the Raiders once again have a strong running game, and could be a good test for a defensive line that has looked quite good for the past 4 weeks.
The good news for the Charger fans is that Darren McFadden is expected to miss the game. Think that might be a big deal? It is. McFadden is the only player on the Raiders with more than 10 carries this season (he has 85). He's also the only player with more than 54 rushing yards (he has 392). The leading rusher on the team if Darren doesn't play? Backup QB and former Raiders savior Jason Campbell.
Chargers Stopping the Run
- 7th in Yards/Game allowed (80.2). up from 9th last week.
- 11th in Yards/Carry allowed (3.8), up from 13th last week.
- 3rd in Rush TDs allowed (1), same as last week.
- 13th in Runs for 1st downs against (21.2%), up from 15th last week.
- 8th in Runs for 20+ Yards allowed (2), up from 11th last week.
- 23rd in Fumbles recovered (1), down from 17th last week.
Allow me to use this time and space to applaud Ron Rivera on a fine season thus far as the Chargers Defensive Coordinator. Doing what he did, taking a demotion in order to learn the 3-4 Defense because he saw that it was the way of the future in the NFL, took huge balls. When he was handed the job as DC, I don't know if he was quite ready yet. However, each season he seems to get more comfortable and creative in not just drawing up the plays but in teaching the system to his guys. I get the feeling he'll be getting calls for head coaching jobs again...and soon.
Advantage: Tie. This is kind of confusing. Statistically, the Raiders have a slightly stronger running game than the Chargers do a running defense. However, that running game scores minimal points and that running defense almost never gives up any points. Add in McFadden's absence, which could either help or hurt the Chargers depending on if you're talking to a Michael Bush fan or not, and things could potentially get better for the Bolts. Still, if a running game is mostly affected by the offensive line and if Michael Bush is as good as he appears to be when he actually gets on the field, this should still be a challenge.
Raiders Throwing the Ball
- 20th in Yards/Game (214.2)
- 21st in Yards/Attempt (6.5)
- 14th in TDs (5)
- 14th in Passes for 1st down (33.3%)
- 6th in Passes for 20+ yards (13)
- 29th in Sacks taken (13)
- 23rd in Interceptions thrown (6)
A better passing offense than the Arizona Cardinals, this team has gone from "disastrous" to "below-average" in the switch from Jason Campbell to Bruce Gradkowski. The rates at which Campbell was throwing interceptions, getting sacked and fumbling the ball were reminiscent of JaMarcus Russell. In nearly twice as many attempts, Gradkowski has fumbled less, has a better TD/INT ratio (1/1 instead of 1/2), has been sacked only once more and has an average of 2.2 more yards per pass attempt. Bruce certainly isn't Philip Rivers, but he's not going to give the game away as easily as Campbell or Russell did.
Chargers Defending the Pass
- 4th in Yards/Game allowed (157.8), up from 6th last week.
- 3rd in Yards/Attempt (5.9), up from 5th last week.
- 4th in TDs allowed (3), up from 8th last week.
- 2nd in Passes for 1st downs allowed (26.6%), up from 3rd last week.
- 5th in Passes for 20+ yards allowed (8), same as last week.
- 4th in Sacks (15), up from 13th last week.
- 2nd in Interceptions (7),up from 3rd last week.
John Carlson: 5 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD