RAIDERS AT CHARGERS: WHO HAS THE EDGE?
RAIDERS (0-0) AT CHARGERS (0-0)
When: 1:25 p.m. today
Where: SoFi Stadium
TV/Radio: Ch. 2 / 98.7FM; 105.5FM/94.3FM (Spanish)
Line: Chargers by 3.5 points
Notable injury designations: Chargers: CB J.C. Jackson (Doubtful, ankle), TE Donald Parham (Doubtful, hamstring), LB Drue Tranquill (Questionable, back). Raiders: None What's at stake?: A head start to be 1-0in the division early in the season. The AFC West is an all-in poker match, so it will probably come down to the end of the season. The division winner is usually the team who has the best record within the division. Every game counts, so for the Raiders and Chargers, this is an opportunity to start with a crucial divisional victory. Who's better?: The Chargers get the slight edge because they have continuity with their coaching staff returning for a second season. Quarterback Justin Herbert will be under center with what was one of the best offenses in the NFL last season, and that should continue this season. They improved the offensive line by drafting right guard Zion Johnson in the first round. The Raiders are an unknown with first-year head coach and former New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels at the helm, so things will look different on all three sides. Quarterback Derek Carr and new receiver Davante Adams didn't participate in preseason games, so the Chargers, along with the NFL world, will watch them for the first time. Las Vegas' defense will be overseen by Patrick Graham, the former New York Giants defensive coordinator who will have pass rushers Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones at his disposal. It is a new-look Raiders team that is coming into SoFi Stadium. Matchup to watch: Chargers right tackle Trey Pipkins vs. Raiders defensive end Crosby. Last year in the Sunday night matchup, Crosby was consistently in Herbert's face and disrupting the Chargers' offensive flow. He had 11 pressures, seven hurries, two quarterback hits, and two sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. Pipkins is going into his fourth season, but his first as a starter. He will need to show the maturation and development the coaches keep saying he has demonstrated in practice. Chargers win if: The defense is what it is billed to be — much improved from last season. It was at the bottom in almost every category on defense, especially when it came to stopping the run. The Chargers went out and signed players who have been in his defensive scheme before or were deemed a good fit. The Raiders present a lot of offensive weapons that could turn this game into a track meet. The Chargers must be disciplined on defense, get after Carr and stop the run. McDaniels' Patriots system used multiple running backs, so the defense must be aware of everything. Fantasy sleeper: Chargers running back Austin Ekeler had more than 200 yards of total offense in the two games against the Raiders last season, plus four touchdowns. He is a focal point of the offense, and when they reach the red zone, he is a primary target for Herbert in the passing game. Ekeler could be in for a big game, primarily if the Raiders defense is focused on receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Prediction: Most Chargers-Raiders games come down to a late score, and this game will do just that. It will be an offensive slugfest, but what will decide this game will be a late-game turnover. The Chargers' defense will create the takeaway and take home the 34-27victory to start 1-0before a short week and game Thursday in Kansas City.