San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders
O.co Coliseum – Oakland, California
Sunday, October 6, 2013, 11:35 pm Eastern, TV: NFL Network
Opening Line: San Diego -5
Current Line: San Diego -4 1/2
Opening Total: 44
Current Total: 46
Opening Money Line: Chargers -230 / Raiders +190
Current Money Line: Chargers -215 / Raiders +180 

Nothing like an NFL game starting around midnight Eastern time that isn’t being played in Japan. The NFL moved the game between the 2-2 San Diego Chargers and 1-3 Oakland Raiders from a 4:25 pm kickoff time to 11:35 pm because the O.co Coliseum hosted the Oakland Athletics’ MLB playoff game last night and the grounds crew needed more time to switch the field from baseball to football. The game will be nationally televised on the NFL Network except in the Oakland and San Diego markets where it will be on local television.

Since 2001, the Chargers lead the series against the Raiders 17-7. The Chargers have won 3 straight games against Oakland, including 24-21 in the last game of the regular season last year in San Diego and 22-14 in Oakland on opening day last year.

San Diego is coached by Mike McCoy in his first season. The Chargers are 2-2 but could easily be 4-0. They lost to the Houston Texans 31-28 at home despite leading 28-7 in the third quarter. The Chargers then won at the Philadelphia Eagles 33-30 before losing at the Tennessee Titans 20-17. Last week San Diego hosted the Dallas Cowboys and came back from a 21-10 deficit to win 30-21. The Chargers are 3-0-1 ATS this season and the total is 3-1. The Chargers were a one point underdog at home against the Cowboys and the total was 47.

San Diego is outscoring teams 27-26 this season. The Chargers are #8 in scoring in the NFL. On offense, San Diego is averaging 396.2 yards per game including 291.2 passing and 105 rushing yards per game. The Chargers are #8 in total offense and #6 in passing. On defense, San Diego is allowing 432.8 total yards per game, including 312.2 passing and 120.5 rushing yards. The Chargers are 26th or worse in all three categories. The Chargers are -3 in turnovers this season. San Diego is 26/51 on third and fourth down conversions and opponents are 24/51. The Chargers have forced 9 sacks and allowed 6 this season. San Diego is averaging 31:32 minutes for time of possession. The Chargers are averaging 54 penalty yards per game and opponents are averaging 75. San Diego has allowed 2 defensive touchdowns this season.

San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers is having his best season in years. He has completed 73.9% of his passes for 1,199 yards with 11 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, along with 29 rushing yards. he has been sacked 6 times. Running back Ryan Mathews has 64 carries for 226 yards, along with 7 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. He is probable with a hamstring injury. Danny Woodhead has 19 carries for 90 yards, along with 22 catches for 162 yards and 2 touchdowns. Ronnie Brown has 14 carries for 55 yards and the lone rushing touchdown this season for the Chargers, along with 3 catches. Tight end Antonio Gates has 25 catches, 364 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Receiver Eddie Royal has 15 catches, 190 yards and 5 touchdowns. Receivers Malcolm Floyd and Danario Alexander are both on IR. Nine defensive players and four offensive linemen are listed on the  injury report.

Oakland is coached by Dennis Allen. The Raiders have losses at the Indianapolis Colts 21-17, at the Denver Broncos 37-21, and last week at home to the Washington Redskins 24-14, The only win came at home against the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars 19-9. The Raiders are 2-1-1 ATS and the total is 1-3 this season. Oakland was a 3.5 point underdog against the Redskins and the total was 45.5.

Oakland is being outscored 23-18 this season. The Raiders are averaging 338 total yards on offense including 200.5 passing and 137.5 rushing yards. The Raiders are #26 in passing and #6 in rushing in the league. On defense, the Raiders are allowing 349.2 yards per game including 237.5 passing and 111.8 rushing yards. Oakland is -3 in turnovers. The Raiders are 23/60 on third and fourth down conversions, and opponents are 24/55. Oakland has forced 11 sacks and allowed 14. The Raiders have one special teams touchdown and has allowed a defensive touchdown. Oakland is averaging 30:23 minutes time of possession. The Raiders average 47 penalty yards per game and opponents are averaging 43.

Quarterback Terrelle Pryor has completed 65.4% for 624 yards, with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, along with 26 carries and 198 yards. he has been sacked 7 times this season. Pryor missed the game against the Redskins last week with a concussion but is listed as probable Sunday. If he can’t go, then Matt Flynn will start. Flynn has thrown for 246 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He has been sacked 7 times as well. Running back Darren McFadden is doubtful with a hamstring injury. He has 53 carries, 215 yards and 2 touchdowns, along with 7 catches for 46 yards. He even threw a touchdown pass. Rashad Jennings should get most of the carries. Receiver Denarius Moore has 15 catches 233 yards and 2 touchdowns. Rod Streater, Mychal Rivera and Jenning will also get a lot of catches. Five defensive players and 5 offensive linemen are listed on the injury report.

San Diego is 4-0-1 ATS in road games, 3-0-1 overall and on grass, 4-1 after gaining more than 350 total yards, 3-1-1 against AFC teams, 5-2 against AFC West teams, 2-5 against teams with losing records, 1-6-1 after a cover, 0-5-1 after a straight up win, and 0-5 in October. The road team is 5-0 ATS in this series recently. The Chargers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games in Oakland.

Oakland is 4-0-1 ATS against AFC teams, 4-1 after a straight up loss, and after scoring 15 points or less, 3-1-1 overall, and against AFC West teams. 8-3 in October, 5-11-1 on grass, and 2-6 at home. Five of the last six games in the series in Oakland have gone over the total. The Raiders are 6-2 ATS in the last 8 against the Chargers. The underdog has covered the last meetings between the two teams.

San Diego is the better team, even on the road. The Chargers should be undefeated as they blew fourth quarter leads against the Texans and Titans. Oakland is usually competitive and this should be no exception. I like the Chargers to win on a late field goal.

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