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NFL Oakland Raiders

6 Keys for Oakland Raiders vs. San Diego Chargers

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6 Keys to the Game Against the San Diego Chargers

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Raiders are fast running out of chances to avoid being only the third team in NFL history to finish a season without a win. After a thorough and humiliating dismantling at the hands of the Denver Broncos, the Raiders stand at 0-9 and have far more questions than answers. They've played well in brief stretches, but have yet to put together a complete game. If they hope to snap their long losing streak, these six things must happen.

6. The Defense Must Play a Complete Game

Defense
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

6. The Defense Must Play a Complete Game

Defense
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

They had a good second half effort against the Seattle Seahawks, and the defense came out with guns blazing in the first half against the Broncos before they faltered. But the Raiders have yet to put together a solid 60 minutes of football. To beat the Chargers, the Raiders will have to come out with the intensity they had against the Broncos and sustain it for the entirety of the game.

5. The Offense Must Find a Balance

Offensive Balance
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

5. The Offense Must Find a Balance

Offensive Balance
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The Raiders have one of the worst offenses in the league, ranking at or near the bottom of every significant statistical category. Too much pressure has been put on rookie QB Derek Carr, and OC Greg Olson has completely abandoned the running game. Against San Diego a few weeks back, the Raiders nearly stole the game because they had a good run-pass balance and kept the Chargers on their heels. They must find that balance again.

4. Carr Must be Smarter with the Ball

Carr
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

4. Carr Must be Smarter with the Ball

Carr
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Carr is looking like every bit the franchise QB the Raiders believe him to be. But he still has a lot to learn. Against Denver, Carr had his worst game as a pro, making bad decisions and trying to force plays that weren't there. It's to be expected of a rookie QB, but he will have to be smarter with the ball and learn that if a play isn't there, he can't simply will it to be so. His decision-making will have to be better against the Chargers.

3. The Defense Must Get to Philip Rivers

Rivers
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

3. The Defense Must Get to Philip Rivers

Rivers
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

For most of the first half against the Broncos, the Raiders generated heavy pressure on Peyton Manning, hitting him, batting balls down at the line of scrimmage and picking him off. To have success against Philip Rivers and the Chargers, the Raiders are going to have to come out fired up and dial up that sort of pressure from the opening snap – and sustain it for the entirety of the game. They must make Rivers' day miserable.

2. Run an Up-Tempo Offense

Up Tempo
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

2. Run an Up-Tempo Offense

Up Tempo
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

For all of their offensive struggles this season, the Raiders have been remarkably good in a two-minute, hurry-up offense. In fact, they lead the league in touchdowns scored in the two-minute drill. Though they've struggled to move the chains over the course of the game, for whatever reason, the Raiders have been incredibly efficient in two-minute drills, moving almost at will. It's an advantage that they can and should exploit.

1. The Raiders Must Step Up and Make Plays

Big Plays
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

1. The Raiders Must Step Up and Make Plays

Big Plays
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

There has been a distinct lack of big plays from Oakland this season. Whether it's players fumbling at critical moments, dropping sure interceptions or just making poor decisions, the Raiders haven't had many people stepping up to make a big play when they're needed the most. They've been close a number of times, but haven't been able to see it through. If Oakland has somebody step up and make a play, their fortunes could finally change.

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