Raiders: What You Need to Know Heading into Week 5

The Oakland Raiders blew a 14-point lead in Week 4, along with a chance to keep pace with the rest of the teams in the AFC West. Now with division rival San Diego next on the schedule, they have a chance to make up some of that lost ground.

The Chargers rallied to stun the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday and even their record at 2-2 under first-year coach Mike McCoy, another significant step in the rebuilding project in San Diego.

Dating back to 2004 Oakland has dropped 15 of the last 18 meetings in the series between the two teams, including the last three meetings.

Here’s a quick look at some of the things to consider heading into what is shaping up to be a critical Week 5 showdown for both teams.

 

Division Standings

AFC West Record Denver Broncos 4-0 Kansas City Chiefs 4-0 San Diego Chargers 2-2 Oakland Raiders 1-3 The three teams ahead of Oakland all won, while the Raiders let a winnable game against Washington get away. Being three games out of first place with the season only four games old has to be a bit alarming considering how well both the Broncos and Chiefs are playing. The Raiders play San Diego and Kansas City over the next two weeks and can put themselves right back in the mix with a pair of wins. Conversely, if Dennis Allen’s team doesn’t rebound from the loss to the Redskins, the situation in Oakland could get real dicey for the second-year head coach.

 

Injury report

Player Injury Darren McFadden Hamstring Marcel Reece Knee sprain Stefen Wisniewski Knee sprain Stacy McGee Shoulder Tyvon Branch Ankle Menelik Watson Knee Lucas Nix Shoulder The injuries to McFadden and Reece were major blows to the offense Sunday. Depending on how quickly they recover, the Raiders could be scrambling. Dennis Allen declined to get into much detail about either man’s status but it sounds like Reece might b...

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