Are you prepared for some soccer? The Raiders (5-8) and Chargers (5-8) positively aren’t. Each are coping with a rash of accidents, together with at quarterback, edge-rusher, extensive receiver and working again. Here is what to look at for within the kickoff of Week 15.
WHEN THE CHARGERS ARE ON OFFENSE
Quarterback Easton Stick thrown into beginning position: With franchise quarterback Justin Herbert (finger) out for the rest of the common season, Stick turns into the latest backup to get a begin in 2023.
He performed collegiately for North Dakota State and was drafted within the fifth spherical (166th general) of the 2019 NFL Draft. Previous to his 13-of-24 efficiency in reduction of Herbert in Week 14 in opposition to the Broncos, Stick had thrown one NFL cross.
Skinny on offense: Los Angeles’ high offensive weapon, extensive receiver Keenan Allen (heel), didn’t apply Tuesday, calling into query his availability for Week 15. His absence would make Stick’s job rather more difficult.
Allen leads the NFL in receptions (108) and is fourth in receiving yards (1,243). The group is already with out beginning extensive receiver Mike Williams (torn ACL), who was misplaced for the season in Week 3.
Rookie first-round wideout Quentin Johnston had a lackluster begin to his profession however is coming off his greatest two-game stretch as a professional (eight receptions, 143 yards).
Edge-rusher Tyree Wilson: The Los Angeles offense was predictably vanilla in opposition to the Broncos following Herbert’s damage. Per Pro Football Focus, Stick solely had two deep cross makes an attempt and one cross off of play motion.
That often is not a successful method, but it surely is perhaps the Chargers’ solely path on Thursday if Stick is not higher underneath stress. According to Pro Football Focus, he was 3-of-9 for 17 yards (1.9 yards per try) when pressured in Week 14.
That’s the place Wilson comes into the image. Maxx Crosby (knee) is the group’s greatest pass-rusher however didn’t take part in apply Tuesday. His standing is doubtful, giving the No. 7 general choose of the 2023 NFL Draft a possibility on a nationwide stage to have a giant recreation.
PFF credited Wilson with a season-high 4 pressures in Week 14. He must be a game-wrecker in opposition to the Chargers for the Raiders to be ok with spending a top-10 choose on him.
Operating again Austin Ekeler: The Chargers dashing offense merely have to be higher than it has been this season for Los Angeles to have an opportunity. It ranks twenty sixth in dashing yards (96 yards per recreation), and Ekeler is averaging a career-low 3.7 yards per try.
Las Vegas (5-8) is vulnerable in opposition to the run, rating twenty fifth within the league (127.4 yards per recreation). It is also thirtieth in expected points added per rush try, forward of solely the Jets and Giants.
WHEN THE RAIDERS ARE ON OFFENSE
Large receiver Davante Adams: The Raiders should contain Adams early and infrequently. Per RotoWire, Adams leads the league in first-quarter targets (42) and receptions (31). His three first-quarter receiving touchdowns path solely Miami’s Tyreek Hill and Seattle’s DK Metcalf (4).
It is going to be attention-grabbing to see how the Chargers (5-8) defend Adams. In Week 14 in opposition to Denver, safeties Alohi Gilman and Derwin James defended Broncos No. 1 wideout Jerry Jeudy on 5 of his six targets.
Asante Samuel Jr. ought to get the task usually in opposition to Adams. Nonetheless, the Raiders will doubtless be capable to scheme Adams right into a mismatch such because the Vikings did in Week 3, when All-Professional extensive receiver Justin Jefferson burned linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. for a 52-yard landing.