RAIDERS VS. SAN DIEGO
• Time: 1:05 p.m.
• Line: Chargers by 7 1/2.
• TV: Ch. 13. Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Phil Simms (color).
• Radio: KHTK (1140 AM), KSFO (560 AM). Greg Papa (play-by-play), Tom Flores (color).
• Why watch: The Raiders host the preseason AFC West favorites with an opportunity to show they can beat a good team, having squandered such a chance last week in Buffalo. The Chargers have won nine in a row against the Raiders.
• Rewind: JaMarcus Russell made his first start in a 30-17 loss to the Chargers on Dec. 30 in Oakland. It was the season finale, and the playoff-bound Chargers rested many regulars by game's end.
WHO'S THE MAN?
Johnnie Lee Higgins
WIDE RECEIVER
Either on offense or special teams, Higgins has shown playmaking ability. He's had long kickoff returns, and his lone catch this season was an 84-yard touchdown. If he can get into the end zone again, it will save the offense from settling for field goals.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Raiders center Jake Grove vs. Chargers nose tackle Jamal Williams
Grove lost his starting job last season partly because he wasn't strong enough to deal with the likes of Williams consistently. Grove is a lot stronger after a new offseason workout plan and ready to take on bigger, stronger interior defenders. Grove must play well against Williams, a Pro Bowl player, to keep the running game intact.
RAIDERS' THREE KEYS
• The Raiders still are searching for a consistent passing game. When fullback Justin Griffith is tied for the team lead with only six catches, there's a lot of work to do. Getting Javon Walker, Ronald Curry and Zach Miller involved catching passes is essential.
• Can the pass defense hold up? It fell apart after 3 1/2 quarters of good football in Buffalo. The troublesome run defense has looked better, but pass defense had been a strength in recent years. It needs to be again if the Raiders are going to put teams away.
• Ball security is a priority for the Raiders, who have yet to prove they can score a lot of points. That means running backs Darren McFadden and Michael Bush must hold on to the ball.
CHARGERS' THREE KEYS
• This is the second year in a row the Chargers have been favored to win the AFC West and started slowly. Injuries have affected key players such as LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates. Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman is out for the season with a knee injury.
• The days of relying solely on Tomlinson for big plays are over, with Philip Rivers directing the passing game.
• The Chargers' defense and special teams also produce points. Darren Sproles has a kickoff return for a touchdown, and cornerback Antonio Cromartie has returned an interception for a score.
INJURY REPORT
Raiders
Out: RB Justin Fargas (groin), TE Ben Troupe (foot), T Seth Wand (knee). Doubtful: G Cooper Carlisle (ankle), DT Gerard Warren (pectoral). Questionable: CB Nnamdi Asomugha (elbow), DE Derrick Burgess (triceps), RB Darren McFadden (toe), CB Stanford Routt (ankle).
Chargers
Questionable: C Nick Hardwick (foot). Probable: G Kris Dielman (thigh), TE Antonio Gates (hip), C Jeremy Newberry (knee), RB LaDainian Tomlinson (toe), DT Jamal Williams (knee).
RAIDERS' STATISTICS
PASSING
Player Att. Comp. Yards TDs Int
JaMarcus Russell 62 32 391 3 0
RUSHING
Player Att. Yards TDs Avg.
Darren McFadden 44 252 1 5.7
Michael Bush 30 145 1 4.8
RECEIVING
Player Rec. Yards TDs Avg.
Justin Griffith 6 70 0 11.7
Zach Miller 6 58 0 9.7
CHARGERS' STATISTICS
PASSING
Player Att. Comp. Yards TDs Int
Philip Rivers 85 57 844 9 2
RUSHING
Player Att. Yards TDs Avg.
LaDainian Tomlinson 57 190 2 3.3
RECEIVING
Player Rec. Yards TDs Avg.
Vincent Jackson 12 194 1 16.2
Antonio Gates 10 147 2 14.7
RAIDERS SCHEDULE
Sept. 8 Denver L, 41-14
Sept. 14 at Kansas City W, 23-8
Sept. 21 at Buffalo L, 24-23
Today San Diego 1:05 p.m.
Oct. 5 BYE
Oct. 12 at N. Orleans 10 a.m.
Oct. 19 N.Y. Jets 1:15 p.m.
Oct. 26 at Baltimore 10 a.m.
Nov. 2 Atlanta 1:15 p.m.
Nov. 9 Carolina 1:05 p.m.
Nov. 16 at Miami 10 a.m.
Nov. 23 at Denver 1:05 p.m.
Nov. 30 Kansas City 1:15 p.m.
Dec. 4 at San Diego 5:15 p.m.
Dec. 14 New England 1:15 p.m.
Dec. 21 Houston 1:05 p.m.
Dec. 28 at Tampa Bay 10 a.m.
