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Chargers vs. Raiders - NFL Week 4 Preview

The Las Vegas Raiders will make the short trip to Los Angeles on Sunday to take on the Chargers in an AFC West showdown. Both teams come into this game at 1-2 with the Raiders falling to the Steelers at home last Sunday night and the Chargers picking up their first win on the road at Minnesota. The opening kick is scheduled for 4:05 PM EST.

Raiders' Recent Struggles

Things have gone from bad to worse for the Las Vegas Raiders after squeaking out a 17-16 win over Denver in their season opener. The Raiders were trounced by the Bills on the road and then, last week, the Raiders fell to the Steelers 23-18 in their home opener. To make matters worse, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has been placed in concussion protocol after the game.

Garoppolo had a tough night with three interceptions in the loss while constantly being pressured by the Steelers front four. Garoppolo finished the night 28-of-44 for 324 yards and touchdowns to go along with the three interceptions. He did help rally the Raiders back from a 23-7 deficit but fell short. Wide receiver Davante Adams had a dominant game with 13 catches for 172 yards and a touchdown in a losing effort. Running back Josh Jacobs continued his early season struggles with just 62 yards rushing on 16 carries. In all, the Raiders offense had 362 yards of total offense including 293 through the air. They had 19 first downs in the game but were just 4-of-13 on third down conversions.

Raiders' Offensive and Defensive Stats

Defensively, the Raiders allowed 333 yards of total offense in the game. The Steelers were able to convert on 6-of-15 of their third down attempts. The Raiders did not force any turnovers but did record five tackles for loss including one sack. Defensive end Maxx Crosby had the team's lone sack.

The Raiders hope to end their two-game losing skid when they hit the road for the third time in four games this season. They are 1-1 on the road thus far but come into this game with quite a bit of uncertainty given Garoppolo's concussion status.

Chargers' First Win

The Los Angeles Chargers return home after pulling out an all-important win against the Vikings in Minnesota on Sunday. The win helped the Chargers avoid the dreaded 0-3 start that usually results in a playoff-less season for NFL teams.

The Chargers were once again led by quarterback Justin Herbert. He was 40-of-47 for 405 yards in the game with three touchdowns. He threw two touchdown passes to Donald Parham Jr. in the first half. Wide receiver Keenan Allen had an enormous afternoon with a career-high in catches and yards with 18 catches for 205 yards. He also threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to fellow wide receiver Mike Williams. Williams finished with seven catches for 121 yards and the touchdown. Unfortunately, Williams was lost for the season after tearing his ACL in the fourth quarter.

Overall, the Chargers had 475 yards of total offense in the game but just 30 yards on the ground playing again without starting running back Austin Ekeler.

Chargers' Offensive and Defensive Stats

The Chargers' defense allowed 475 yards of total offense as well but did hold the Vikings out of the end zone down the stretch. Kenneth Murray Jr. picked off a deflected pass in the end zone with just seven seconds left to preserve the victory. The Chargers forced two turnovers in all with a forced fumble to go along with Murray's interception. They had seven tackles for loss including three sacks in the game.

The Chargers will attempt to even their record at 2-2 on Sunday as they return home to take on the Raiders. They will need to do so with one of the top offenses in football but one that will be down one of their most dependable receivers in Williams.

Prediction