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LA Chargers: Getting to know the Las Vegas Raiders

By Devon Auriemma

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 13: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders prepares to take the field before their game against the Indianapolis Colts at Allegiant Stadium on December 13, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 13: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders prepares to take the field before their game against the Indianapolis Colts at Allegiant Stadium on December 13, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) – LA Chargers
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) – LA Chargers /

Notable Stats

The Raiders’ offense has played well this season, mainly due to Derek Carr having one of the best seasons of his career. Carr has thrown for 3,343 yards and 24 touchdowns with seven interceptions.

Their offense ranks in the top half of the league in yards and points per game. While Josh Jacobs’ yards per carry are down from his rookie season, he has scored nine touchdowns and has brought in 30 receptions, both of which are up from last year.

Darren Waller has been one of the league’s top tight ends this season and will be a handful for the Chargers defense in this matchup. On the year, Waller has brought in 84 of 117 targets for 817 yards and seven touchdowns. Back in Week 9, Waller brought in five catches for 22 yards and a touchdown.

Henry Ruggs and Nelson Agholor have been solid deep threats for Derek Carr this season. Agholor is on pace to surpass career highs in yards and touchdowns. He comes into this meeting with 635 yards and seven touchdowns with his average reception being 16.7 yards which is the fourth highest in the NFL for qualified players.

Henry Ruggs hasn’t had an amazing rookie campaign but brings big play potential as we saw against the Jets in Week 13.

The Raiders’ defense has struggled this season. They currently rank inside the bottom ten in the league in yards per game and give up the third-most points per game. They also do not generate much pressure as they have only tallied 15 sacks on the year.

Maxx Crosby has put together a solid year for the Raiders. In 13 games he has six of the teams 15 sacks and has 12 tackles for loss. The Raiders defense might be struggling this season, but Crosby is a player to watch as he was able to sack Herbert in the first meeting this season.

The Chargers will likely try to run the ball a lot against the Raiders on Thursday night. In Week 9, the Chargers ran for 128 yards and a touchdown as a team and with Austin Ekeler back in the lineup, they could surpass that total.

The Raiders’ run defense is among the worst in the NFL. They give up the eighth-most rushing yards per game (128.1), the third most yards per carry (4.7) and the most rushing touchdowns (21).

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