Raiders at Chargers -- Week 17

Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego (natural turf, outdoors)

When: Sunday, 4:25 ET (CBS)

Spread: Chargers by 7.5

Forecast: Temperatures in the 50s with a 30 percent chance of rain.

Records: Raiders (4-11, AFC West 2-3); Chargers (6-9, AFC West 3-2)

Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Sept. 10, 2012: Chargers 22, Raiders 14; Jan. 1, 2012: Chargers 38, Raiders 26. Series record: Raiders lead regular-season series 57-46-2 and postseason series 1-0.

What matters: The Raiders will try to cap what has been a nightmare season with a victory, but what really matters is the performance of second-year quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who will make his first NFL start. The former Ohio State star will fill in for the injured Carson Palmer, who suffered cracked ribs and a bruised lung last week at Carolina and has been ruled out. Raiders coach Dennis Allen chose Pryor over veteran Matt Leinart to start Sunday, even though Leinart has been the No. 2 quarterback all season. Pryor will face a Chargers defense that sacked New York Jets second-year QB Greg McElroy 11 times last week.

Who matters: Pryor, who has thrown just two passes in his NFL career, will need plenty of help from his teammates on offense, especially linemen and running backs. If RB Darren McFadden can get on track, then the Chargers' won't be able to tee off so often on Pryor. Pryor's bodyguards, particularly OTs Jared Veldheer and Khalif Barnes, need to give him time to throw. It will also be up to Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp to design a game plan that doesn't overwhelm the young QB and that also takes advantage of Pryor's ability to run and throw on the run.

Key matchups: Raiders OT Jared Veldheer vs. Chargers OLB Shaun Phillips: Phillips had 2 1/2 of the Chargers' 11 sacks last week against the Jets, giving him a team-high 9 1/2 for the season. He ranks second all-time for San Diego with 69.5 sacks. Veldheer has come on strong down the stretch against some dangerous pass rushers, including Denver's Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil. ... Chargers TE Antonio Gates vs. Raiders secondary. Gates set a franchise record with his 82nd career touchdown catch last week against the Jets. He has 47 catches for 523 yards and a team-best six touchdowns. Covering Gates is not a one-man job. S Mike Mitchell has covered Gates at times in the past and should get a shot Sunday, especially with starting strong safety Tyvon Branch questionable with a lingering ankle injury. OLB Philip Wheeler is another likely candidate to line up against the 6-foot-4, 255-pound Gates.

Injuries of note: Palmer (cracked ribs/bruised lung) has been ruled out. Starting defensive tackle Richard Seymour (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Thursday, ending his season. He missed the past seven games. Starting right cornerback Phillip Adams (groin) was placed on injured reserve Friday. CB Brandian Ross will make his first NFL start, replacing Adams. Branch (ankle) practiced on a limited basis Friday for the first time this week and will be a game-time decision, just as he was the past two weeks -- he started both times. He's listed as questionable. If he can't play, Mitchell will start at strong safety. Starting right guard Mike Brisiel suffered a concussion and injured an ankle last week at Carolina. He has passed his concussion tests but missed practice all week because of his ankle and is questionable. He'll be a game-time decision. If Brisiel can't play, rookie Tony Bergstrom will make his first career start.

Inside stuff: After a midseason slump, rookie outside linebacker Miles Burris has come on strong down the stretch. Last week at Carolina, he intercepted a pass, made a team-high seven tackles and recorded half a sack. Burris has started every game this season. "He's the type of  players that we're looking for," Raiders coach Dennis Allen said. "He loves football, he's willing to work and he's got a team attitude. ... He hit a little bit of a lull there in the middle of the season, like a lot of rookies do, but as the season (has) progressed and we're coming down the home stretch, the last few games he's played a lot better."

Connections: Raiders senior offensive assistant Al Saunders was San Diego's coach from 1986-88 after serving as an assistant under Don Coryell. ... Chargers coach Norv Turner coached the Raiders from 2004-05. Turner grew up in the East Bay city of Martinez and attended Alhambra High School. ... Chargers OT Kevin Haslam was in training camp with the Raiders this season.

Record watch: Sebastian Janikowski has made 31 field goals and needs three more to surpass his career high of 33, set in 2010. Janikowski has made 54 consecutive field goals from 40 yards or less. He hasn't missed from 40 yards or less since Sept. 26, 2010 at Arizona.

Stats you should know: Over the past four games, Oakland's defense has allowed an average of just 15.75 points. The Raiders gave up an average of 32.4 points over their first 11 games.

Looking ahead: The Raiders' offseason officially begins when Sunday's game ends. This marks the 10th year they've missed the playoffs, a streak that began the year after they reached the Super Bowl in the 2002 season.

Prediction: Chargers 24, Raiders 10

Follow Raiders reporter Eric Gilmore on Twitter @CBSRaiders.