Chargers at Raiders: Week 5 Staff Predictions

Cody Young: The Chargers play a big division game in Oakland this weekend, one they need to win. Unfortunately, I don't think that happens. Losing Jason Verrett for the season is a devastating blow to this defense, and the secondary is now significantly weaker. Yes, Casey Hayward has been terrific, but the Chargers do not have anyone that can replace Verrett. I can see Oakland taking advantage of this new weakness, getting the dangerous Amari Cooper heavily involved. The Chargers will need to get to get after Derek Carr in order to help the secondary, and maybe Joey Bosa will be the man for the job, but I don't know how much we can expect from him in his first start.

The offense needs to get Gordon going this week. They need to control the ball and keep the defense off the field. Oh, and they need to stop turning the ball over. Now, even if the team does everything right, can we really expect them to close out this game? I'm not convinced they can. I hate to say it, but Raiders win 28-20.

Louis Gorini: The Oakland Raiders have a young gun at the QB position, a nasty o-line, and a quick and aggressive defense. Does that sound familiar to Charger fans (early 2000s Bolts)? There was a time for Charger fans when they saw Oakland on the schedule they chalked one up in the "W" column. But have the times changed. The Chargers are the Oakland Raiders of the AFC West. It's going to be the same narrative for me until San Diego proves otherwise. The o-line will struggle to make holes for Gordon and Rivers will have to overcompensate for bad coaching and lack of playmakers. Number 17 won't be able to keep up with the Raiders offense. This is a game where if you have Raiders skill players in fantasy football, you start them. Carr, Cooper, and Crabtree will all have big games. Chargers 24 Raiders 34.

Garrett Sisti: The Chargers try to push the run game but are forced to sling it once they find themselves in an early hole. This is the real bounce game for the Oakland D, while they begin to unleash a heavy dose of Karl Joseph. Raiders O-Line is too much to handle and Carr has a day and a half to find open receivers vs. a depleted San Diego Secondary. I'll be in Vegas so it'll be a blessing in disguise that I don't have to watch the Chargers lose 27-17.

Jamie Hoyle: So, to recap, the Chargers are the only team in the league to blow two 13+ point fourth quarter leads in the first four weeks, they're without four crucial starters for the year, the offensive line is banged up, they're 1-3 and they're looking to Mike McCoy to pull them out of the seventh circle NFL hell for the second year in a row. Oh, and did I mention the young Raiders are immensely talented, well-coached and enter the game with a 3-1 record? Yeah, I'm not feeling this one in what figures to be an especially hostile Black Hole. Raiders come out of the gates firing on all cylinders, build an early cushion, and Rivers runs for his life for most of the day. Raiders 38, Chargers 20.

Daniel Farias: Rivers and the offense will make the game watchable but I do not see The Chargers defense being able to contain the Raiders offense. I expect Carr to take advantage of a weak secondary that is suffering from too many injuries leading the Raiders to a 28-20 victory. No fourth quarter collapse this time as I expect the Raiders to lead for most of this game.

Jeff Siniard: Last week's finish against the Saints destroyed any optimism I had left for 2016, and then they lost Jason Verrett on top of it. That means Derek Carr has a field day throwing to whichever WR isn't covered by Casey Hayward, and his OL should give him ample time to do it. The Raiders defensively are not playing well thus far in 2016, so Rivers will gain yards and score points. Just not enough points... and that not's counting that I refuse to pick this Chargers team to win until they prove they can win a close game. Raiders 34 Chargers 24.

Ryan Doyle: Chargers will drop this one to the rival Raiders 38-27. Derek Carr is going to shred this Chargers defense. Offensively, I wouldn't be shocked if Rivers and company play well. However, it yet again won't be enough. Chargers fall to 1-4.

Nathan Graber-Lipperman: I think it'll be closer than most think, but in the end, I have to give it to the Raiders. They're just the much more complete team. I'll go with 27-20 Raiders, with Rivers and Gordon doing well and everyone else...not so much.

Ruben J. Gonzalez: So many injuries on the top end, even the football gods want McCoy fired. 87-38 Raiders. Ugh.

Aaron Woolley: I think the Raiders will prevail here based on the players the Chargers are missing on defense (namely two of their top 3 CBs). Carr is a good passer and has thrown for 9 TD and only one INT in the year and has weapons with Amari Cooper and Crabtree. Stick Mager on either one of them, expect a TD at least against him. The Raiders will be without their leading rusher, Latavius Murray, but it won't matter because DeAndre Washington is tearing it up. Raiders win this one 31-27

SDNativeinTX: The game will lost in a vile, previously unimaginable manner not seen before in the NFL.

John Gennaro: Raiders 30-24 Chargers. Mostly because I want the massive flameout that is necessary to get Mike McCoy out of the building, but also because I don’t trust Steve Williams and a scarecrow to be the team’s #2 and #3 CBs. What happens if the secondary gets an injury?!?

Roger Hinojosa: Hopefully not too late with my prediction. I don't see the Chargers letting go of a 4th quarter lead this week because they'll likely be trailing most of the game. Oakland is going to take advantage of the lack of depth and injuries that have plagued the Chargers so far. While I do believe that Philip Rivers and the offense will expose the Raiders' secondary, it just won't be enough. With Gates' limited action expect to continue seeing more of Hunter Henry. A turning point in this game could be the Chargers establishing a strong running game and physical tone from the beginning of the game. If the Chargers can come out firing then they have a chance, otherwise Bosa's first NFL game is going to end in a loss to the Raiders 30-14

Richard Wade: The offense keeps the Chargers in this one, but ultimately the defense won’t be able to hold on at the end. Raiders 27 - 23 Chargers