The last time we saw the Raiders, they were battling the Chiefs in a frigid and foreign setting. It didn't go well. The Raiders lost a game that could ultimately win the Chiefs the AFC West, because Derek Carr delivered the worst game of his career.
But that game was played more than a week ago, so the Raiders should enter their Week 15 contest against the Chargers well rested. Furthermore, the Raiders still have plenty of reasons to hope. At 10-3, they're still in a position to win the division over the 10-3 Chiefs (who own the tiebreaker) or, at the very least, snag a wild card spot.
To do so, they'll need to take care of business against a dangerous, but ultimately outmatched Chargers team, which dropped to 5-8 after a loss to the Panthers last weekend.
This game would be a lot more interesting if Melvin Gordon was able to play, but the Chargers' workhorse is sidelined. So, if the Chargers are to pull off the upset, they'll need Philip Rivers to outgun Carr. But Rivers has struggled as of late, and he actually leads the NFL in interceptions.
Meanwhile, don't expect the Raiders' offensive woes to continue. The Chiefs have one of the league's best defenses, but the Chargers don't. They're allowing 26.7 points per game this season.
Here's how you can watch what should be an entertaining game between two of the league's top-five scoring teams.
How to Watch
- What: Oakland Raiders vs. San Diego Chargers
- When: Sunday, December 18, 4:25 p.m. ET
- Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: Sign up for a free one-week trial of CBS All Access
- Streaming, Part II: Verizon NFL Mobile App
- Sunday Ticket: DirecTV
- Online: NFL Game Pass (available to watch online after midnight)
- Odds: The Raiders are 3-point favorites, according to SportsLine.
Injury report
Raiders
- LB Shilique Calhoun (Knee) -- Out
- WR Michael Crabtree (Finger) -- Questionable
- WR Amari Cooper (Shoulder) -- Questionable
- S Karl Joseph (Toe) -- Out
- DT Darius Latham (Ankle) -- Questionable
- DT Stacy McGee (Ankle) -- Out
- G-T Kelechi Osemele (Knee) -- Questionable
- LB Perry Riley Jr. (Hamstring) -- Questionable
- LB Malcolm Smith (Hamstring) -- Questionable
Chargers
- WR Jeremy Butler (Ankle) -- Questionable
- OG Orlando Franklin (Rib) -- Questionable
- RB Melvin Gordon (Hip, Knee) -- Out
- CB Craig Mager (Shoulder) -- Doubtful
Prisco's Pick
The Chargers have a lot of injuries, including to running back Melvin Gordon, which changes their team. Philip Rivers will compete, but he is shorthanded here. The Raiders will have been off for 10 days. They rebound from the loss to the Chiefs.
Pick: Raiders 28, Chargers 22