The Los Angeles Chargers and Oakland Raiders are set to face off in the Black Hole on Thursday Night Football.
Here are four key things to know about the Week 10 battle:
Facing a familiar face
After spending the first four years of his professional career with the Chargers, wide receiver Tyrell Williams signed a four-year, $44 million contract with their AFC West rival.
Williams got off to a hot start with the Raiders, posting four consecutive games with a receiving touchdown since Week 1. He was then forced to miss the next three games with a foot injury. He returned in Week 8 against the Texans.
On the season, Williams has produced 23 receptions for 355 yards and five touchdowns. Like he did with the Bolts, Williams has provided quarterback Derek Carr with a big-bodied target, aiding in his high efficiency this season.
Rookie of the Year candidate
In need of running back Marshawn Lynch’s replacement, the Raiders drafted Josh Jacobs in the first-round of the 2019 NFL draft. With how his rookie season has been, it’s safe to say that Oakland hit a home run with the selection.
In eight games, Jacobs has been a model of consistency. The former Alabama product has carried the ball 152 times for 740 yards and six touchdowns. Even though pass-catching isn’t his forte, he has still managed to reel in 11 passes for 102 yards.
Jacobs has the ability to maul defenders down using his strong lower body, but he can make them miss at the line of scrimmage with his violent jump cuts.
Poor pass defense
It hasn’t been a strong season defending opposing quarterbacks for the Raiders.
Oakland has allowed a league-worst 43 pass plays of at least 20 yards in 2019, 22 passing touchdowns, second-most and opposing quarterbacks have a 114.8 passer rating against the Raiders.
A big reason they haven’t had success starts in the trenches for Oakland as they have not been able to get to the quarterback, totaling only 15 sacks in eight games, tied for 25th in the league. The team also lost a key pass-rusher in Arden Key for the season, hindering the unit even more.
Banged up offensive line
The Raiders will likely be without two of their starting offensive linemen in this week’s game.
Offensive tackle Trent Brown injured his knee in last Sunday’s victory over the Lions. Center Rodney Hudson’s status is unknown after missing last week with an ankle injury.
Undrafted rookie Andre James and David Sharpe would get the start if both players can’t go. This would be a huge advantage for the Chargers, as Oakland has had one of the best offensive lines in the league.
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