Raiders vs. Chargers: Breaking Down Oakland’s Game Plan

The Oakland Raiders played one of their best games of the year when they beat the San Diego Chargers in October. They’ll have to do the same to have any sort of a chance when the two teams meet again in Week 16.

The Raiders are in the midst of a second-half slide that has some people questioning whether coach Dennis Allen will return for a third season in 2014. Several players, including running back Darren McFadden, are also playing for new contracts, putting another intriguing spin on the game against San Diego.

Oakland must balance trying to perform well in its final two games without dropping too far in the NFL draft. The Raiders currently sit with the third overall pick, but four other teams also have a 4-10 record.

Here’s a look at some of the things the Raiders should do as part of their game plan against the Chargers.

 

Get Moore from the Receivers

If there’s one player on Oakland’s roster who seems to play well almost every time these two teams meet, it’s wide receiver Denarius Moore. Moore, who has been slow coming back from a shoulder injury, has two of his five career 100-yard games against San Diego and has four touchdowns in four games against the Raiders’ division rivals.

The Chargers stayed almost exclusively in single coverage against Moore when the two teams played on Oct. 6, pairing left cornerback Richard Marshall and nickelback Derek Cox against him most of the time. Moore still caught five passes for 85 yards and a touchdown, the score coming on an improvised route at the back of the end zone.

With Rod Streater and Andre Holmes sure to draw attention from San Diego’s secondary, Moore could be left in more favorable matchups in the rematch. If he is, quarterback Matt McGloin has to find a way to get his receiver the ball.

 

Start Fast, Then Hold On

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