Chargers at Raiders (Week 2) | Pre-game Discussion

[sonorajim]

This is going to be a tough game.

Yeah. Looking forward to it.

[Eurobolt]

BOZEMAN 2 pressures in 43 pass pro snaps.
ZION 1 pressures in 41 pass pro snaps
BECTON 0 pressures in 37 pass pro snaps
SALYER 0 pressures in 13 pass pro snaps
ALT do I have to even type anything?!?

Ok am really sorry but was Pipkins playing? What was his stat?

[Riverwalk]

Ashton Jeanty 2.0 ypc against the 23rd rushing D last season. Do you expect more from an RB drafted at #6 overall?

Questions surround Ashton Jeanty, Travis Hunter’s NFL translation | Pro Football Talk | NFL on NBC

Sorry Velo, but I hate stats that cite prior season rankings to define what to expect for 2025 because GM’s tend to recognize their deficiencies and make a point to improve it.

Look no further then Chargers receiving corp from last year. Quite a turnaround right?

Similar for Patriots. They invested heavily in their defense by signing several high-impact free agents, including DT Milton Williams, LB’s Harold Landry and Robert Spillane, and CB Carlton Davis.

They also have a new HC and DC in Mike Vrabel and Terrell Williams.

If you’re facing the number one drafted RB I would think you gameplan to shut him down which is what the Patriots accomplished.

But just like the Chiefs, it left the secondary exposed and Geno had 322 yards in completions just like Herbert exploited the Chiefs.

Do you really think because Jeanty only averaged 2.0 yards per carry against a “23rd ranked 2024 rushing defense” Minter will treat him as a sub average RB?

I don’t. Nor do I think Raiders will overlook Hampton based on one NFL game.

I would go all in if Vegas offered a bet where both RB’s surpass their first game stats

[sonorajim]

The 'Turds aren't getting their 1st div win since 2023 against us. We're more talented and better coached!
Go Bolts!

[Jack Burton]

Ok am really sorry but was Pipkins playing? What was his stat?

PIPKINS 4 pressures on 43 pass pro snaps. 0 sacks given up. 0 hits allowed. 0 penalties.

If that’s his stat line all year, I’ll take it all day and twice on Sunday.

[richpjr]

Sorry Velo, but I hate stats that cite prior season rankings to define what to expect for 2025 because GM’s tend to recognize their deficiencies and make a point to improve it.

Look no further then Chargers receiving corp from last year. Quite a turnaround right?

Similar for Patriots. They invested heavily in their defense by signing several high-impact free agents, including DT Milton Williams, LB’s Harold Landry and Robert Spillane, and CB Carlton Davis.

They also have a new HC and DC in Mike Vrabel and Terrell Williams.

If you’re facing the number one drafted RB I would think you gameplan to shut him down which is what the Patriots accomplished.

But just like the Chiefs, it left the secondary exposed and Geno had 322 yards in completions just like Herbert exploited the Chiefs.

Do you really think because Jeanty only averaged 2.0 yards per carry against a “23rd ranked 2024 rushing defense” Minter will treat him as a sub average RB?

I don’t. Nor do I think Raiders will overlook Hampton based on one NFL game.

I would go all in if Vegas offered a bet where both RB’s surpass their first game stats

Jeanty ran into the same thing that Hampton did - no room to run. Not a coincidence that the KC and Patriot D focused on shutting down the run but it came at the expense of giving up a ton of yards passing.

[sonorajim]

PIPKINS 4 pressures on 43 pass pro snaps. 0 sacks given up. 0 hits allowed. 0 penalties.

If that’s his stat line all year, I’ll take it all day and twice on Sunday.

Our OL pass pro was very good. Contrary to many PB opinions pre game.

[electricgold]

Patriots stacked the box to stop Jeanty and that worked. Jeanty only had 38 yards.

Similar to Spags focusing on stopping Hampton and Romans run first game. That worked too but allowed Justin to carve them up with his arm.

So Chip Kelly unleashed Geno Smith for 362 yards…24/34.

Like I warned over the summer, don’t dismiss the Raiders based on last years record. They are a very different and greatly improved team with the sweeping coaching changes, Geno Smith, and Jeanty.

This game is very different from week 1. I predicted the Charger win because Spagnola would be at a disadvantage not knowing what to expect.

Now that’s changed for both teams. Both greatly improved on offense and dangerous in the passing game.

I think Raiders are going to be our biggest rivals for division crown. Not Chiefs and not Broncos.

This game is a toss up as far as I can tell.

Man I'm sure glad we didn't hire Mike Vrabel he's a terrible HC! I remember some fans on here wanted Vrabel over Harbaugh and I'm pretty sure he would have been our next hc it Harbaugh wasn't available!


Raiders don't look that good to me! They beat a terrible pats team! We put solid pressure on Geno I like our chances!

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

The 'Turds aren't getting their 1st div win since 2023 against us. We're more talented and better coached!
Go Bolts!

Concur. And I believe that any sort of 'letdown' following the victory over KC and associated International Hoopla is not gonna happen under Jim Harbaugh.

If anything, the team is believe-in-itself geeked, while also motivated to do whatever Harbaugh says. They understand that "This is a leader who knows what he's doing," and they trust him.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

Our OL pass pro was very good. Contrary to many PB opinions pre game.

I'll admit to being more than a little surprised, myself, but I won't draw any broad conclusions until we're four games through the slate.

To the degree that Herb has time to throw, he'll also have more opportunities to connect on deep passes, since the receiver group now includes legit deep speed.

Keenan Allen gives Herb a clutch underneath option to pair with Ladd McConkey. We got a glimpse of what Greg Roman can do with these guys on the field at the same time.

[Velo]

Raiders don't look that good to me! They beat a terrible pats team! We put solid pressure on Geno I like our chances!

I watched most of the game in NE, the Pats' D did shut down the Raiders' offense for much of the game, NE led by 3 at the half, but in the 2nd half Maye couldn't keep the Pats' O on the field, eventually NE's D wore down and the Raiders scored a TD and kicked a couple of field goals, the Pats didn't score in the 2nd half.

[dmac_bolt]

I also like them, but this is an exaggeration .... particularly Keenan.

Raiders are possibly the most I'll suited in both zone and man against that pair.

Pete Carol likes length in his dbs, and I still remember Keenan torching Seattle's legion of doom in San Diego - 2014.
This Raider secondary is even longer .... Ladd will give them fits, likewise.

great points, not sure if everyone caught the meaning. Pete likes his long tall DBs that are best suited to match up against X-type WRs. The X's run more linear routes but present less change of direction. The long tall CBS are not as well suited anatomically to stay with quick-direction-change slot type receivers but they can run stride for stride and get up to defend contested balls better against X's. its just a different DB strength. Expect Gro and Brady to recognize this in their route plans. I also think LAC will run a bit more, LVR is not DEN against the run. Of course, hard to gauge anything from a one off opener vs NE - more basing it off of last year.

On defense, I think we see a typical Minter plan - a lot of cover 2 shell protecting against deep gashes, disguised pressures from different spots and angles to disrupt timing and accuracy, some disguised cover assignments, and force LVR into mistakes before they can score TDs and hopefully FGs too.

The Raiders are not a doormat. They are also not a powerhouse and the Chargers remain a year ahead of them on the resurrection. We will win absent unfortunate bounces and errors that flips the result.