Before each game I will be covering three players who need to perform well in order to help the Chargers come out on top. This week the San Diego Chargers face the Oakland Raiders.
The Chargers have most likely played their last meaningful football game last week after losing to the Carolina Panthers. This week, the Chargers are facing a team with meaningful football left. The Raiders will be playing for their division as well as playing to hold the top seed in the playoff picture.
After losing to the Raiders earlier in the season in embracing fashion, this is the Chargers’ chance to regain some of their lost pride. In order for that to happen, here are three players who need to show up.
QB Philip Rivers
Golly Philip Rivers, stop trying to play hero ball. Rivers is a good quarterback. Disagree all you want, but stats don’t lie. That being said, he sure hasn’t looked so hot recently, and that’s fair to say. Rivers will have to dial it down a tad to keep the Chargers in this game.
CB Trevor Williams
People with the last name Williams have been pleasant performers for the Chargers this year. Like Tyrell, Trevor Williams has seen his highs and lows this season. At times, Williams shows potential to be a reliable corner in the NFL. He will have the remainder of the season to threaten Craig Mager for the fourth CB slot on the team, and potentially make it easier for the Chargers to release Brandon Flowers in the offseason.
RB Kenneth Farrow
With Melvin Gordon out for at least this Sunday, Kenneth Farrow is a no-brainer for this list. The Chargers play the best football with a balanced attack. As listed above, Philip Rivers has struggled trying to carry the team the last few weeks. That can’t continue if the Chargers want to pull off a win in their last three games.
Farrow has put a short amount of film together during his time with the Chargers, but so far he has looked like a reliable back. He won’t be cutting and smashing through tacklers, but he can pick up yards to make second and third downs more manageable for Rivers and company.
Extra Credit
DE Joey Bosa
Something to look forward to is the potential that Joey Bosa wins Defensive Rookie of the Year. A Charger hasn’t received that award since Shawne Merriman in 2006. This season might be over for the Chargers, but the future looks bright with young talent playing at an elite level. Bosa acquired two sacks against the Raiders in Week 5. It will be fun to see him wreak havoc on Raiders quarterback Derek Carr once again.
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