The Los Angeles Chargers are preparing for their last game played at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.
The last time the two teams met was in Week 10. It was a close battle, but ultimately the Raiders came out on top.
With that, there are a few Oakland players that the Chargers must be game-planned for in order to avoid being swept by them.
DE Clelin Ferrell & Maxx Crosby
In their first meeting earlier this season, quarterback Philip Rivers had very little room to breathe, and that’s largely due to the dominance by Ferrell and Crosby who attributed to their five sacks and handful of quarterback hits that night.
Heading into Week 16, the two first-year players have combined for 12 sacks on the season and they’re both eager to bolster up that column on the stat sheet this weekend once more.
With left tackle Russell Okung likely to be a game-time decision, there’s reason to be concerned. If Okung can’t go, Trent Scott or rookie Trey Pipkins will be tasked with protecting quarterback Philip Rivers’ blindside.
Offensive line
The Raiders offense might not rank among the best in the league in points scored, but there’s one thing that they do better than almost any other team, and that’s protecting the quarterback.
The offensive line has given quarterback Derek Carr plenty of time to distribute the football, as he has only been sacked 24 times this season, tied for for the fifth-fewest.
This isn’t favorable for a Chargers pass rush, who has been one of the more disappointing areas, totaling only 27 sacks this season, which ranks 27th in the NFL.
Oakland will be without offensive tackle Trent Brown, as he was placed on the injured reserve on Wednesday. But they still possess a stout group led by veterans Rodney Hudson and Richie Incognito, who won’t make it any easy task to generate any pressure.
TE Darren Waller
Should the Chargers buy Carr any time in the pocket, he will look to arguably his favorite target early and often.
Waller has posted 1,001 yards on 80 receptions through 14 games. These numbers rank him second and third among tight ends, respectively. He also can stress defenses after the catch, ranking 12th in the league in YAC.
In their first meeting, he was held to 40 yards on three receptions, but he can flip the switch at any given moment. Safeties Derwin James and Adrian Phillips should be the difference-makers to yield him.
Safety Erik Harris
Overall, the Raiders pass defense isn’t anything to be worried about as they have allowed the most yards per attempt, the third-most passing touchdowns and the fourth-fewest takeaways. However, there’s one player in the secondary that should give quarterback Philip Rivers reason to be concerned.
The last time the two teams met, Harris stole the show with his two interceptions, including one that went for a touchdown, along with three passes defensed.
Rivers has to protect the football and can’t afford to play hero ball or else Harris will be there eager to pick some off.
