The San Diego Chargers continue to give games away and their generosity could eventually cost Mike McCoy his job. The coach was livid after his team turned the ball over twice in the fourth quarter on Sunday, leading to a pair of New Orleans touchdowns and once again San Diego snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Having lost nine straight games to AFC West opponents, the Chargers try to end that streak against the last division foe they beat when they visit the Oakland Raiders in a Week 5 tilt.
This matchup in Week 5 of the regular season will take place on Sunday, October 9, 2016, at 4:25 p.m. ET at the Oakland Coliseum.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
San Diego Chargers +4
Oakland Raiders -4
Over/Under 50
Odds Analysis
The last four meetings have all been one-score games with each team winning twice, so it’s not a surprise to see the line hovering where it is. The betting public still likes the Chargers however, as a majority of the early wagers have been on them. The total opened at 52.5 with 80 percent of the bets favoring the over. However, sharps lowered that number to 50 and it could dip more before kickoff.
Injury Report
Brandon Flowers – San Diego’s starting cornerback could miss another game as he continues to deal with concussion-related symptoms. The Chargers secondary has been a mess with Flowers and safety Jahleel Addae both out. That doesn’t bode well for the Chargers as they get set to face the pass-happy Raiders.
Lee Smith – The Raiders tight end suffered a broken leg Sunday and could be lost for the season. Smith hasn’t been a factor in the passing game as he’s been targeted just six times this season. But he is Oakland’s best blocking tight end and his absence could affect the run game and pass protection assignments.
Matchup to Watch
It’s not like the Chargers are trying to lose football games, it just looks that way. After the team’s latest collapse, blowing a 13-point lead with five minutes left in the fourth quarter Sunday against New Orleans, McCoy was furious, and rightfully so. San Diego could easily be 3-1 and the talk of the AFC. Instead, a 21-point lead lost at Kansas City in the opener and a late lead blown in Indianapolis two weeks ago, has McCoy and his staff in search of answers. The Chargers have had to deal with an abundance of injuries, including season-enders to three main components of the club. That’s always difficult to overcome. But the Chargers should be used to this type of adversity after dealing with the exact same scenario last season.
I still like the Chargers and the team embodies the pride of its leader, Philip Rivers. Things eventually even out over the course of a 16-game season and San Diego has been right there in every game. It’s not like the team is getting blown out, they’re just making costly mistakes at critical times and those get magnified when it costs them a game. The Chargers are well aware of their losing skid within the division, which reached nine with an opening-day collapse to the Chiefs, and beating the Raiders will take a huge load off the team and coach.
Free ATS Pick
This game will sneak up on the Raiders and they won’t be ready for it. Following an impressive performance in Baltimore, Oakland is primed for a letdown facing a Chargers team that hasn’t won within the division in nearly two years. Oakland is still a little inconsistent on defense and the Chargers know how to move the football. That sets up well for the visitors. The Raiders will be a little overconfident and the Chargers will be desperate.
While San Diego has lost several key players to injuries, they could be gaining one on Sunday with first-round pick Joey Bosa nearing his debut. He will be the X-factor in this one. Going against a weakened offensive line, Bosa could wreak havoc in the Raiders backfield, forcing Carr into a mistake or two. The Chargers have talent and they’re playing not only for themselves but for their coach as well. It’s time the Chargers pull a game out instead of giving one away.
NFL Odds: Chargers 29, Raiders 24
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