The final game of the season opening weekend of the NFL will not be watched by a ton of people outside the west coast, unless of course you are addicted to watching every game possible.
Many questions both of these quarterbacks in this ball game since one was a former star (Palmer) and many are questioning if the other ever come close to be the same gun-slinger he once was (Rivers).
Many look at these two teams as ones that are not the most talented in the NFL, but they certainly still have what it takes to win this AFC West.
Tommy Kelly and Richard Seymour up front anchor one of the best front fours in the NFL, so Phillip Rivers has his work cut out for him.
Ryan Mathews will not be playing with a shoulder injury, but Antonio Gates looks primed and ready to have a bounce back season after having a injury-riddled 2011 season.
The loss of Vincent Brown (ankle) will be tough albeit the addition of Robert Meachem certainly helps this team out in the passing game.
Ronnie Brown and Capser Brinkley will handle the work load in the backfield, but this Chargers squad has a respectable defense to limit Carson Palmer and the Raiders offense that is essentially carried by Darren McFadden.
“Run DMC” could potentially lead the NFL in rushing if he were to ever stay healthy, but that has been an issue for several seasons even going back to his days at Arkansas.
To imagine Peyton Hillis was in the same backfield as Felix Jones and Darren McFadden, not appearing in a BCS bowl explained how much their defense and the rest of the offense struggled in the SEC.
The NFL is clearly much tougher for McFadden and it does not help his receivers have been brutal and Palmer was acquired before the trade deadline last season.
Oakland came up short of appearing in the postseason, but they have what it takes to go from worst (which is where most have them picked to finish in AFC West) to first.
Stopping the run and being able to pick up several yards whenever you need to is imperative in the NFL, and that has been a constant struggle for the Chargers.
Nate Kaeding and the entire special teams unit has not been the same and their inability to close out teams and win the close games will kick them in the behind once again.
Time: 10:15 p.m. Eastern
Network: ESPN
Experts Pick: Raiders by 1
Danny V’s Pick: Raiders 26, Chargers 24
