Welcome to the first half open thread discussion of the Raiders' Week 5 divisional matchup vs. the San Diego Chargers. Leave comments below the post during the game.
Q2
SD 10 OAK 9
Well that's one way to end the half on a positive note. Still, there's a lot of points left out there on the field that the Raiders couldn't capitalize on. This is the one knack I have on this team and this dates back to last season. When the offense is hot, the defense is cold. But when the defense is hot, the offense is cold. This Raiders team is taking bipolarity to a whole another level and it's frustrating to watch. The defense was a positive that first half. Aside from allowing that one TD from Rivers to Williams, the Raiders are holding their own and they managed to create three turnovers during the half. Perry Riley with the forced fumble on Antonio Gates, Sean Smith with an acrobatic INT, and Karl Joseph, playing center field, got his first INT of his young NFL career. The Raiders are gonna need more of those to try and get this offense to click. Which brings to my next point. No Jason Verrett, no Manti Te'o, no Denzel Perryman, and yet the Raiders offense are struggling to get points in the red zone. Credit where credit is due, the Chargers' defense are bringing all kinds of pressure and exotic looks on Derek Carr. Joey Bosa is showing some flashes for the Chargers and he's showing why he's the number 3 pick in this draft. However, remember the three things I said that stalls the Raiders' offense? O-line is having all sorts of pre-snap penalties, Crabtree is uncharacteristically dropping balls, and Coop just can't drag that last toe in the end zone. This offense was so good last week, they're dropping the ball here so far in this critical division game. Overall, the execution has to be better. I know Tay Train is out, Lee Smith is lost for the year, right tackle is definitely hurting again. It's critical for the offense to wake up in the 2nd half. The 2nd half post will be up shortly.
Q1
SD 0 OAK 3
How to describe this quarter? That was nauseating to say the least. The offense is having a lot of jitters out there. The O-line is not communicating, leading to a couple of pre-snap penalties. Carr, in that 1st quarter alone, got picked off and sacked. Even though this Chargers team is banged up, the Raiders should never underestimate them as long as Rivers is their QB. However, defense is doing its job forcing a fumble and an INT, but the Chargers are currently putting together a solid drive to start.
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