After an extra week to think about a dreadful defeat that has complicated their playoff outlook, the Los Angeles Chargers can savor a matchup with the reeling Las Vegas Chargers on Sunday at Inglewood, Calif.
From there, the road becomes far less predictable.
When last on the field, the Chargers (7-4) were blasted 35-6 by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 16 thanks to a disastrous offensive showing. A bye week gave Los Angeles a chance to sort out its issues while looking ahead to the Raiders (2-9).
But once November gives way to December, the schedule ramps up in intensity. If the season ended before Sunday’s games, the Chargers would own the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs — but their hold could be tenuous as next month opens with consecutive games against last season’s Super Bowl foes: the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.
The season closes with some resurgent teams in the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos.
It only figures to get more difficult for Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert, who has been sacked 35 times. That’s fourth-most in the NFL. Against the Jaguars, he threw for a career-low 81 yards passing, took two sacks and needed to be checked for a concussion late in the first half.
With the offense going nowhere at Jacksonville, head coach Jim Harbaugh turned the fourth quarter over to backup quarterback Trey Lance.
It was Harbaugh’s worst loss in two seasons with the Chargers.
“It’s been the same stuff that we’ve said week after week,” Herbert said about what was discussed post-bye week. “I have to do a better job of not turning the ball over, not taking those sacks. I think when we’re in rhythm and moving the ball, I think we play pretty well.”
The offensive line play has been a disaster for Los Angeles and improvements will be difficult with starting tackle Joe Alt out for the season.
The Raiders won’t offer the Chargers any sympathy for their offensive issues. Las Vegas fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly after Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns in the first step toward fixing a group that is third-worst in the NFL with 268.9 total yards per game, next to last with 79.5 rushing yards per game and tied for last in scoring at 15.0 points per game.
Like the Chargers, the Raiders’ offensive line will be out to prove itself.
Las Vegas quarterback Geno Smith is one of three players who has been sacked more than Herbert, with his 41 sacks second most in the NFL. He was dropped 10 times against the Browns.
“I try my best to not look at the rush, but to feel the rush,” Smith said. “But when you’re facing a great defensive line, similar to the Browns, you have got to speed up the process. Those are the things that I tried to do last week. Obviously, it wasn’t good enough.”
Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty has 604 yards to lead a rushing attack that has delivered below expectations. He has scored four touchdowns on the ground and another four in the air on 37 receptions.
Since a 12-catch, 127-yard, three-TD day against the Jaguars on Nov. 2, tight end Brock Bowers has 14 receptions for 158 yards and no TDs over his last three games.
Each of those efforts ended in a Las Vegas defeat as the Raiders are mired in a five-game losing streak.
The Chargers opened the 21-day practice window for rookie running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) on Wednesday, but he will not play on Sunday.
The Raiders will be without tight end Michael Mayer (ankle), while running back Zamir White (illness), offensive lineman Jordan Meredith (ankle), defensive tackle Adam Butler (illness) and cornerback Danny Holmes (illness) are questionable.
–Field Level Media
