JaMarcus Russell airing it out versus Buffalo last week

The Oakland Raiders (1-2) and the San Diego Chargers (1-2) will face off for the 97th time this Sunday at the McAfee Coliseum. Both teams are trailing the undefeated Denver Broncos in the AFC Western division, but the Chargers have looked far better in their one win start than the Raiders, especially after losing in heartbreaking fashion to the Panthers and Broncos at the onset of the season.

Oakland – who has a bye week after the contest – will try to even their record and brace themselves for two weeks of volatility considering the status of their head coach and the rumblings of his imminent departure.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

The passing game has not looked good to start, ranking 32^nd in the league. And minus Johnnie Lee Higgins’ 84-yard touchdown reception last weekend, the lack of pop and the leash on JaMarcus Russell has hindered the offense, which was a major component for the collapse in the 4^th quarter in Buffalo.

Lane Kiffin needs to open it up and give his quarterback more opportunities to get the ball down the field. Opponents will start stacking the line of scrimmage in hopes of slowing down the ground game Oakland relies on. And yes, the Raiders must establish their ball carriers, but without a threat of an aerial attack, it becomes a stagnant attack when games get tight and 1^st downs are needed at the end of contests.

Javon Walker’s two receptions through three games have been very disappointing. With his large contract and the lack of playmaking at wide receiver on the roster, Walker must become productive and stay in games to help Russell and the dormant passing offense. After a quick start in Buffalo, where he recorded his lone grabs as a Raider, Walker disappeared and was non-existent or on the sidelines when needed most. After signing a six-year deal with $16 million in guarantees, Walker has been injured or ineffective during the pre-season and early stages of 2008. Not exactly what Oakland expected when they paid him top-flight receiver money.

What to expect:

San Diego has allowed 284.7 yards per game (31^st in the NFL) through the air in their first three games. They have a formidable front seven and play the run very well, so Oakland must take advantage of the Chargers deficiencies in the defensive backfield for the upset to occur. It’s time to get Zach Miller involved in the passing game, and not as an edge blocker trying to keep defenders off his quarterback. Walker, Ashley Lelie and Ronald Curry have to exploit the secondary and get open for Russell. And since San Diego likes to attack on passing downs, a few misdirection plays and screens to Darren McFadden could help the Raiders move the chains with the passing game.

On Defense:

Much of the brunt after the Bills comeback last weekend fell on the defense, who gave uo 17-points in the 4^th quarter and allowed Trent Edwards to get the ball to his receivers with consistency. This after the Raiders applied great pressure for most of the game, getting into his face and blanketing his big play targets.

But they adjusted, the Raiders did not, and the rest is history.

With cornerbacks like Nnamdi Asomugha and DeAngelo Hall, who can be left out on an island, you would think that applying more pressure by sending an extra linebacker or safety is something that Rob Ryan could do when the game is slipping away.

This week, they will have to get into Phillip Rivers’ face and keep him from picking apart the secondary. Even on plays were he hands off to his all world running back, the Raiders should send defenders towards the line of scrimmage in order to disrupt the flow of their blocking schemes.

What to expect:

Oakland can’t sit back and let Rivers toss to his athletic targets. Derrick Burgess, Kalimba Edwards and Gerard Warren, who were on attack mode in Buffalo in the first half, must continue their harassing ways. For the secondary, more tight coverage should be implemented in order to prevent those shorter routes from being successful, which the Bills took advantage of during their comeback.

On Special Teams:

Johnnie Lee Higgins has been a weapon for the Raiders this season on special teams. His returns have set-up scoring drives and altered field position. The Chargers are allowing 27.4 yards per kickoff return (28^th in the NFL), but only 5.5 yards per punt return (6^th in the NFL).

Fortunately for the Raiders, most of Higgins’ damage has come on kickoffs, where he has compiled 327 yards, second most in the league.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

On Offense:

Phillip Rivers bounced back on Monday night very quickly after an interception that led to an early deficit. His efficient 19/25 for 250 yards, spreading the ball out to eight different receivers showed the developing maturity level of the former first rounder.

And three games into the season, his 124.8 rating and nine touchdowns have been very impressive in giving the Chargers another threat not named LaDanian Tomlinson.

“I think he has grown a lot”, stated Norv Turner today when talking about his quarterback.

And after a 0-2 start, Turner also commented his team’s statement versus the New York Jets.

“Good players, good coaches and more importantly, good teams respond to adverse situations.”

What to Expect:

LaDanian Tomlinson has made a career of thrashing the Raiders defense. Whether as a rusher, receiver or passer, the dynamic running back has been a thorn on Oakland’s backside since he entered the league. The Chargers will try to establish him early on in order to open up plays down the field for Vincent Jackson, Chris Chambers and Antonio Gates. The Raiders have improved their run defense, but they have not faced a player who saves his best when he sees black jerseys.

On Defense:

“We see a very outstanding running game, talented offensive personnel group. Defensively, they are playing as good as defensive as anyone in the league”, said Turner about the Raider units.

And if they want to slow down Oakland’s running game, it will start up front with Jamal Williams, Luis Castillo and Igor Olshansky. Williams is battered right now, so the Chargers signed Ian Scott late Tuesday to help out the nose tackle who has been limited in practice with a knee injury.

Turner continued, “They’ve got a formula that’s been very good [on offense]….” And even though he waxed poetically about Russell, there is no doubt they will rather see the Raider passer dropping back more often than handing off to his talented rushers.

“He looks a lot more comfortable…[on Russell]”, said Turner.

What to Expect:

The Charger pass defense has struggled. But that won’t stop them from attacking the Raiders on passing downs, blitzing in order to fluster Russell and facilitate mistakes in their passing game. They probably feel that Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cromartie can match-up against Oakland’s receivers. So Russell will likely have a target on his chest, as the Chargers will come at him and play with eight men around the line of scrimmage for most of the game.

GAME NOTES:

• The Chargers have a nine-game winning streak against the Raiders. During that span, San Diego has outscored the Silver & Black 253 – 114.
• Oakland leads the overall series 54-40-2.
• As of Wednesday; Javon Walker and Kwame Harris worked out with the team. Those that did not participate I workouts were: Darren McFadden (boot on his foot), Cooper Carlisle, Gerard Warren, Derrick Burgess, Nnamdi Asomugha and Stanford Routt. All players mentioned with the exception of Warren and Carlisle are expected to practice Thursday.

KEY MATCH-UPS

Tomlinson vs. Raiders front-seven

If Oakland’s improved run defense (ranked 13^th in the NFL) can be formidable against their nemesis and force Rivers into making plays into an active secondary, then the Raiders will have a chance to keeping it close late in the game.

Oakland’s wide receivers vs. San Diego’s Secondary

It’s time for the Raider wide-outs to show up. Someone has to get open and haul in Russell bombs. The question is, can the Raiders get adequate protection, and will the coaches loosen the leash on the big-armed passer?

PREDICTION

Chargers 26 – Raiders 24

TV & RADIO

The game will be televised on CBS with Jim Nantz providing play-by-play and Phil Simms handling color analysis.  The game will air locally on KPIX Channel 5. The game will also air in Sacramento on KOVR Channel 13 as well as on KHSL in Chico, KION in Monterey and KJEO in Fresno. The game will air on Raiders Radio originating on KSFO 560 AM, the Silver and Black Flagship for the multi-state Radio Network. Greg Papa and former Raiders player, assistant and head coach Tom Flores will man the booth for the 11th straight year. The radio pregame show and postgame show will feature Raider Legends George Atkinson and David Humm along with KGO’s Rich Walcoff. In addition, Sports USA Radio will broadcast the game nationally with Howard David, Terry Donahue and Rich Cellini calling the action. (Broadcast information found on the official Raiders web site)

Home Team: Oakland Raiders (1-2) Home: 0-1 Road: 1-1

Road Team: Oakland Raiders (1-2) Home: 1-1 Road: 0-1

When and Where: Sunday, September 28, 2008, 1:05 p.m. PT | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum