Rupert
The Long Wind
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Week 12 Preview – Raiders @ San Diego
November 24, 2003
By Rupert Pollard
Both of these teams have evolved since the last time they faced one another. The Raiders defense has gained a large dose of confidence and is ranked among the top ten. Philip Rivers has gone from offensive caretaker to legitimate weapon. The Raiders offense has changed from completely overwhelmed to just underwhelming, and the San Diego defense has devolved from world beaters to just outside the top ten.
Offense
In the first meeting, San Diego’s defense dictated the direction the Raider offense would be moving, backwards about 1 out of 5 plays. San Diego’s offense never needed Philip Rivers to carry them as their running game ground out nearly 200 yards. The major difference this time around will be Shawne Merriman serving the last game of his four-game suspension. Merriman collected three sacks in the first game and was responsible for pass protection confusion that led to others.
Against Denver, San Diego’s defense gave up chunks of yards on the ground. Denver initially burned San Diego through the right side of the defense by sealing Jamal Williams and blowing Donnie Edwards out. Denver didn’t have much luck to the left side of the defense except when cutting back. San Diego’s line wore down in both halves. Denver didn’t have a significant edge in time of possession, so that wouldn’t explain San Diego wearing down.
Denver didn’t have significant success passing the ball, but a lot of that is directly attributable to poor passing and some poor catching. Antonio Cromartie is showing up really well playing opposite Quentin Jammer. Jammer is a physical presence but not a great cover guy. Cromartie is less physical but has solid coverage, decent instincts, and a good break on the ball. Denver was often able to take advantage of the Chargers’ main means of developing a pass rush, the dogging backer. By running routes into the vacated zones and throwing screens, they kept a normally effective San Diego rush at bay. Still, San Diego’s three down linemen will collapse a pocket quickly, and routinely did against Denver.
The Raiders will need to mix it up against San Diego. San Diego’s linebackers were susceptible to misdirection and cutbacks in the running game and weren’t as quick to recover from faking a blitz to drop back into a zone or get into man coverage. If the Raiders can establish the run, they will definitely open up holes in San Diego’s defense. Without LaMont Jordan, the Raiders will have to use Zack Crockett as the power back with Rashard Lee as his fullback. Justin Fargas will remain the speed back, but will likely see more carries than he’s seen most of the season. The Raiders will need to take advantage of the holes in the secondary created by San Diego’s blitzing backers.
Defense
San Diego’s offensive line relentlessly pounded the right side of Denver’s D-line, often pulling their right guard through the left B gap. Denver eventually adjusted to it and started stuffing it. But San Diego isn’t a one trick pony in the running game, well unless you consider LaDainian Tomlinson a one-trick pony. Rivers did not have a clean game, but was able to do enough to help the Chargers win the game.
The Raiders will have to contain LaDainian Tomlinson. I don’t think this can be said often enough. However, he’s going to get his share of the offense, there’s no way to eliminate him from the game short of injury. Antonio Gates was kept relatively quite by Denver, but he will also be an important man for the Raiders’ defense to mark. Asomugha and Washington will be challenged by Eric Parker and Keenan McCardell, but the key is going to be tackling. Forcing San Diego to put the ball in the air could result in turnovers the Raiders will need to get the upper hand in this game.
Special Teams
Kaeding and Scifres are good specialists. Michael Turner is a dangerous returner, but he isn’t above average on the season. Eric Parker is more dangerous on average on punt returns. San Diego’s kick coverage is solid, but their punt coverage leaves a bit to be desired. Overall the Raiders have an advantage here. It’s amazing how often I’ve said this. Still, Chris Carr might need to do something special on a punt return to make this game more competitive.
Final Gun
San Diego’s defense isn’t as good without Merriman. That said, the Raiders should actually be able to score this time out. San Diego’s offense is more balanced than they were the first week of the season, but the Raiders defense is improved as well. The Raiders will need to try to force the Chargers into obvious passing situations if they’re going to have a shot as taking a couple from Rivers. If they can do that, they can be in this game.
San Diego is just too strong where the Raiders haven not proven to defend well, the running game. If the Raiders need to over-commit to the run, they’ll get burned by play action. The Raiders broke out a jumbo defensive line with Kelly and Sands in the game. It will take some pass pressure from these guys along with solid run defense to really make a difference in this game.
But when the final gun sounds, I think San Diego will prevail again 27 to 16.
November 24, 2003
By Rupert Pollard
Both of these teams have evolved since the last time they faced one another. The Raiders defense has gained a large dose of confidence and is ranked among the top ten. Philip Rivers has gone from offensive caretaker to legitimate weapon. The Raiders offense has changed from completely overwhelmed to just underwhelming, and the San Diego defense has devolved from world beaters to just outside the top ten.
Offense
In the first meeting, San Diego’s defense dictated the direction the Raider offense would be moving, backwards about 1 out of 5 plays. San Diego’s offense never needed Philip Rivers to carry them as their running game ground out nearly 200 yards. The major difference this time around will be Shawne Merriman serving the last game of his four-game suspension. Merriman collected three sacks in the first game and was responsible for pass protection confusion that led to others.
Against Denver, San Diego’s defense gave up chunks of yards on the ground. Denver initially burned San Diego through the right side of the defense by sealing Jamal Williams and blowing Donnie Edwards out. Denver didn’t have much luck to the left side of the defense except when cutting back. San Diego’s line wore down in both halves. Denver didn’t have a significant edge in time of possession, so that wouldn’t explain San Diego wearing down.
Denver didn’t have significant success passing the ball, but a lot of that is directly attributable to poor passing and some poor catching. Antonio Cromartie is showing up really well playing opposite Quentin Jammer. Jammer is a physical presence but not a great cover guy. Cromartie is less physical but has solid coverage, decent instincts, and a good break on the ball. Denver was often able to take advantage of the Chargers’ main means of developing a pass rush, the dogging backer. By running routes into the vacated zones and throwing screens, they kept a normally effective San Diego rush at bay. Still, San Diego’s three down linemen will collapse a pocket quickly, and routinely did against Denver.
The Raiders will need to mix it up against San Diego. San Diego’s linebackers were susceptible to misdirection and cutbacks in the running game and weren’t as quick to recover from faking a blitz to drop back into a zone or get into man coverage. If the Raiders can establish the run, they will definitely open up holes in San Diego’s defense. Without LaMont Jordan, the Raiders will have to use Zack Crockett as the power back with Rashard Lee as his fullback. Justin Fargas will remain the speed back, but will likely see more carries than he’s seen most of the season. The Raiders will need to take advantage of the holes in the secondary created by San Diego’s blitzing backers.
Defense
San Diego’s offensive line relentlessly pounded the right side of Denver’s D-line, often pulling their right guard through the left B gap. Denver eventually adjusted to it and started stuffing it. But San Diego isn’t a one trick pony in the running game, well unless you consider LaDainian Tomlinson a one-trick pony. Rivers did not have a clean game, but was able to do enough to help the Chargers win the game.
The Raiders will have to contain LaDainian Tomlinson. I don’t think this can be said often enough. However, he’s going to get his share of the offense, there’s no way to eliminate him from the game short of injury. Antonio Gates was kept relatively quite by Denver, but he will also be an important man for the Raiders’ defense to mark. Asomugha and Washington will be challenged by Eric Parker and Keenan McCardell, but the key is going to be tackling. Forcing San Diego to put the ball in the air could result in turnovers the Raiders will need to get the upper hand in this game.
Special Teams
Kaeding and Scifres are good specialists. Michael Turner is a dangerous returner, but he isn’t above average on the season. Eric Parker is more dangerous on average on punt returns. San Diego’s kick coverage is solid, but their punt coverage leaves a bit to be desired. Overall the Raiders have an advantage here. It’s amazing how often I’ve said this. Still, Chris Carr might need to do something special on a punt return to make this game more competitive.
Final Gun
San Diego’s defense isn’t as good without Merriman. That said, the Raiders should actually be able to score this time out. San Diego’s offense is more balanced than they were the first week of the season, but the Raiders defense is improved as well. The Raiders will need to try to force the Chargers into obvious passing situations if they’re going to have a shot as taking a couple from Rivers. If they can do that, they can be in this game.
San Diego is just too strong where the Raiders haven not proven to defend well, the running game. If the Raiders need to over-commit to the run, they’ll get burned by play action. The Raiders broke out a jumbo defensive line with Kelly and Sands in the game. It will take some pass pressure from these guys along with solid run defense to really make a difference in this game.
But when the final gun sounds, I think San Diego will prevail again 27 to 16.
I'll be a raider fan this week...GO RAIDERS!! 
