The Oakland Raiders will try to end 2017 on a high note Sunday afternoon when they travel down to Southern California to take on the Los Angeles Chargers at the StubHub Center.
Entering Week 17 with a 6-9 record, unfortunately for Head Coach Jack Del Rio's squad, there will be no playoffs this year, but the Silver and Black will have a chance to play spoiler if they can take care of business, and hand the Bolts their eighth loss of 2017.
The Raiders defense has been reborn under Assistant Head Coach – Defense John Pagano, and entering the final week of the regular season, the unit ranks No. 19 in the NFL, but that number might not be the best representation of how they've played as of late.
Interceptions are up, as are sacks, but the group will have its hands full Sunday afternoon as they try to stop a Chargers offense that is among the best in the league. Entering Week 17 play, the Bolts passing offense ranks third in the NFL, averaging 270.1 yards per game, and while the LA rushing attack ranks just 24th in the league, running back Melvin Gordon is in the midst of a career year, and has been running very effectively all season.
As far as the Raiders offense is concerned, they'll look to take advantage of a Chargers defense that ranks dead last in the NFL against the run, currently allowing 132.9 rushing yards per game.
That could spell good news for the Raiders offense, particularly considering they tallied 137 rushing yards in last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Getting anything going through the air will no doubt be challenging though; the Chargers rank third in the NFL in pass defense, surrendering just 195 yards per game.
Which Raiders will deliver Air & Ground worthy performances this season? Check nfl.com/fedex to find out, and vote for the weekly FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week all season long.
