NFL: Chargers and Raiders Battle for AFC West Supremacy

Forget about the 2011 Chiefs, this is the real battle in the AFC West. Al Dannity breaks down the key factors ahead of the first Thursday night game of the NFL season.

Rivers hears all of you
The haters call him Marmalard, chastise him for his cocky attitude, and laugh at his failings this season. Philip Rivers has done two things since getting to the NFL; run his mouth and backed up every word. The numbers aren’t impressive this year but having survived with a pitiful receiving corps in recent years, Rivers is once again starting to see the field the right way again. Not that it looked that way at the start of Sunday’s match-up with Green Bay where he had a couple of bad errors. As the game wore on Rivers began to read the field more, capitalizing on errors made by the Packers. If he sees an opening, Rivers has the arm to exploit it and that will be a big concern for Oakland tonight.

Raiders will bring the heat
San Diego’s starting offensive tackles, Marcus McNeil and Jeromey Clary are both having dreadful years and they face a big challenge tonight. Kamerion Wimbley and Lamarr Houston are destructive forces in the pass rush and they will more than likely dominate against the Chargers’ protection. That’s going to force Rivers to rely on quick short passing routes for much of this game as he will have little, if any, time to throw.

Oakland’s receiving issues
The Chargers’ greatest weakness on defense is at cornerback but the Raiders aren’t built to exploit it. Carson Palmer has yet to build a rapport with either Jacoby Ford or Darius Heyward-Bey. Given the limited production from this duo before Palmer’s mid-season arrival, it comes as no surprise that Oakland’s passing game has been a non-factor for much of 2011.

The verdict
This game is going to come down to quarterback play, with the man who makes the most of a bad hand likely to come out the winner. Rivers is operating with no protection but he has the outlets needed to get the ball away in a hurry. Don’t expect stellar numbers but look for a smarter performance from the loudmouthed signal caller. Palmer appears to be growing in confidence but he still looks like a man who has been on the shelf for far too long. I like Rivers to come out on top tonight, leading the Chargers to a morale-boosting win in primetime.