The Las Vegas Raiders host the LA Chargers in Week 13 in a game that is must-win for both teams. The Chargers are in the thick of the AFC playoff picture and need to rack up wins while the Raiders essentially need to win out if they want any chance of being a playoff team.
Los Angeles emerged victoriously in the first matchup of the season in Week 1 but things are far different now than they were then. The Chargers have dealt with more injuries than any team in the league and will be down another three starters for this rematch against the Raiders.
Luckily, the team has Keenan Allen back in the fold after he missed most of the season with a lingering hamstring issue. Allen suffered said hamstring injury in Week 1 against the Raiders after a red-hot start to the game. Week 12 was the first time all season that he played more than 80% of the offensive snaps in a game.
Allen is going to play a big role in this game for the Chargers, especially considering the Raiders' secondary has not been great this season. Allen could not hold his excitement when asked about playing against a struggling man-coverage secondary, promising that fans will see slayer show up in this game.
We are yet to see a vintage Keenan Allen game this season but it looked like he was on his way to one in Week 1 against this same team. In just 22 offensive snaps, Allen caught four passes for 66 yards. Hopefully for Chargers fans, he picks up right where he left off and puts together a big game in Week 13.
Keenan Allen is due to give the Chargers a big game against the Raiders.
It has actually been quite some time since Keenan Allen has put together a big game against the Raiders. Allen has not had many bad games against the Raiders but it has been over two years since he has had a vintage-type of performance against the AFC West rivals.
In Week 18 last season he finished with six receptions for 52 yards. In Week 4, he finished with seven catches for 36 yards. In Week 15 in 2020, he got hurt and finished with only one catch. His last truly great game against the Raiders was in Week 9 in 2020 when he finished with nine catches for 103 yards and a touchdown.
If the Chargers are going to win this game then they are going to need their best players to show up and show out. Hopefully for Chargers fans, Keenan Allen's confidence directly leads to results on Sunday.