Week 10 - Thursday Night Football

Oakland at San Diego

In two weeks with the Raiders Carson Palmer hasn’t done anything outstanding. He has six interceptions to just three touchdowns. Can this be blamed on the fact that not only was there a lockout this year, but he also didn’t play for the entire preseason or first six weeks of the season? Maybe, but that depends on what you think would have happened during those weeks. I think Palmer is going to need some time to develop chemistry with these young wide-receivers. No longer does Carson have staple players that he has gone to for years in the past, there’s no more Ochocinco for him, no T.O this year, no Jermaine Gresham, even no Cedric Benson. Palmer doesn’t have any of the players he’s used to playing with, all he has are three and a half short weeks with his new team under his belt, two losses, and six interceptions. What could make this week look even more ominous for the Raiders? They sat McFadden last week in hopes that he’d be ready for tonight, but unfortunately DMC hasn’t been able to practice and he’s out again this week – ouch.

San Diego put up a fight last week. They only lost to the undefeated Green Bay Packers by a touchdown, and Rivers had more touchdowns than interceptions for the second time this season. Antonio Gates looks to be turning it on again, he had eight catches for 96 yards and a touchdown against the Packers, alongside Vincent Jackson’s three scoring receptions on seven catches for 141 yards. Tolbert picked up a good chunk of yards, 83, on 19 carries while he brought one into the end zone. The Chargers offense looked good last week if you can forget about their turnovers. This game is going to come down to their defense and whether or not it can hold back Carson Palmer’s aerial attack.

The Raiders have given up just under 250 yards through the air a game, as well as 14 passing touchdowns throughout their first eight. The Raiders defense needs to lock it down if they expect to contain the Chargers offense. The Chargers pass attack hits at just about 295 yards a game, and when matched up against this Raiders defense it’s the point to watch throughout the game. If the Raiders can get into Rivers’ head and control the tempo of the game, they stand a good chance. But if Philip is given the time and makes the throws he’s capable of making this games going to be won by the home team.

Watch this video and remember what Rivers and Jackson have done in the past.



Rivers’ air strike wins this one for the Chargers 31-24