Palmer and Rivers have 20 interceptions between them this season. Of
course, Palmer's 6 have come in just a game and a half. The Chargers
proved they have a lot of fight left in them after the hanging tough
with the Packers last week. Conversely, the Raiders have appeared
lost since losing Campbell and making the knee-jerk acquisition of
Palmer. The Norv Turner era Chargers continuously underperform in the
early part of the season, only to make a late surge. Fortunately for
San Diego, they play in the AFC West. They're essentially the hottest
waitress at Denny's. It appeared early on that Oakland could take
this dubious distinction from Norv's boys, but Jason Campbell's
shoulder dashed those hopes. San Diego does a lot of things fairly
well…decent run game, above average pass defense, middling run
defense. However, the team always relied upon Rivers efficient play
and their tall, fast, and sure handed receiving corps to keep them
among the league's top teams. Rivers, for whatever reason, now finds
himself in a slump. His struggles combined with injuries to Antonio
Gates and Malcolm Floyd appears to have bought the team back into the
middle of the pack. Even so, they remain a superior team to the
Raiders. Palmer isn't a good quarterback. Without the injured
McFadden, the Raiders lose their edge. Michael Bush is an adequate
replacement. However, McFadden gave the Raiders an edge in that he's
usually the best athlete on the field thus forcing defenses to account
for him at all times. You're never quite safe as a defense with
McFadden on the field. San Diego's journey to a first round home
playoff loss begins tonight.
DANNY & ERIC LOCK***
****SD 31 OAK 17*****
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