Las Vegas (AP) – Traditional wisdom states that split games like two of the rankings are counted due to the separation created between winners and losers.
But in the mind of Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, it’s really 2 1/2 games that potential tiebreakers are considered for playoff seeds.
“That’s mathematics,” Harbaugh said.
This makes the match against rival Raiders in Las Vegas even more important for Los Angeles as they seek to establish early footing in the AFC West.
The Chargers have opened a season 27-21 victory over Kansas City Friday in Sao Paulo. But it was an impressive victory that was better than the three-time defending AFC champion, and it was still one game left of 16.
To send a message that non-Chief teams can claim division for the first time since 2015, LA can build that victory by defeating the Raiders and Denver on September 21st.
Just three weeks after the season, the Chargers could be in a position to lead the division, but we also know that the other three teams aren’t just handing it over.
This includes the Raiders, who want to make their own statement under first-year coach Pete Carroll this season. They are the only AFC West team that won’t make the postseason last year.
They got off to a promising start, New England scored 20-13 on sunday. Now it’s about bringing this performance into this matchup and doing it in a standalone game on television across the country.
“Monday night football was a big deal for all of us,” Carroll said. “It’s a big deal because they were little kids, and some of our guys dreamed of playing on Monday nights.”
Bauer’s preparation
Raiders All-Pro Tight End Brock Bowers hopes that a persistent knee injury against the Patriot will not keep him out of his home opener.
The charger is ready as if he was there.
“Blocks are elite weapons,” said Jesse Minter, Los Angeles defensive coordinator. “We’ve seen him a few times now, and when he’s there, your hands are full. He’s a receiver, he’s a tight end, he’s an electric athlete.
Whether or not the Bowers plays, catching five passes for 103 yards against the Patriots, they can go all the way up to game time.
“We see how my knees feel throughout the week, but I want to play,” Bowers said Thursday.
ALT provides a smooth transition
The Chargers’ second-year Pro Joe Alt switched from right to left tackle, making it seem like he’d played that position the whole time.
According to the NFL Next Gen Statss, he did not allow quarterback pressure on a 41 pass play against the Chiefs. It was the second time Alt has played such a game.
“We’re not saying we were surprised,” said Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. “He’s exactly that talented player. It’s obviously very difficult to go from right to left in this league, but Joe did a really great job picking up that. He’s a natural left tackle. That’s one of the great things about having him on this team.
From reserves to starters
One of the surprising developments of the Raiders Training Camp was the emergence of Pro Kyu Blu Kelly, a third year before Pro Kyu Blu Kelly began cornerback for his hometown team.
He then showed in New England why he won that spot and acquired coverage grade from the focal point of 37th out of 113 cornerbacks.
“He did a good job,” Carroll said. “He was challenged. They chased him.”
Carroll said he and the staff had not identified why Kelly appeared at camp.
“But there was a shift,” Carroll said. “Backing out of the offseason, I didn’t see it coming.”
The benefits of a true home field
Raiders Games on Allegiant Stadium often feels like a neutral setting.
When a charger comes, it is not expected that this is not the case, but this is not uncommon. The Raiders have a home Claude advantage in the series, even when they met in Southern California, where the club is as popular as at least two Los Angeles teams.
According to “fan predictions” from secondary ticket seller Vivid Seats, 86% of tickets sold go to Raiders fans.
“I think it’s going to be crazy,” Carol said. “I can’t wait to hear the group chase after it.”
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