Game 2 of the Monday Night double header will feature a classic AFC West rivalry as the San Diego Chargers enter this season trying to save a lot of jobs, mainly Norv Turners.
They will face a Raiders team who will once again debut a new head coach in Dennis Allen. Now the youngest coach in the NFL Allen will work to establish a smart, tough, disciplined team. Your hear that Carson.
Here is my BSO preview:
1. Run DMC
It is of the utmost importance that Darren McFadden stay healthy and finally have that breakout season Raider fans have been waiting for. McFadden when healthy and running provides a dynamic to the running game most teams can only dream of having. A healthy Run DMC provides balance for Carson Palmer, and relieves him of the pressure that usually causes him to force bad throw.
2. Carson Palmer
Speaking of Palmer. Tonight will be the first time he and McFadden have been on the field together. Palmer will need to develop a good chemistry with Darius Heyward-Bey and Denarius Moore similar to those of his Bengal days.
This is Palmers last chance to reclaim his elite passer status.
Phillip Rivers
Speaking of elite passers. The Chargers need Rivers to return to his previous gunslinger ways, and not the funk he was in last season. Rivers will no longer have Vincent Jackson as his top target and will have rely Robert Meachem and Malcolm Floyd on the outside. His long time safety net Antonio Gates has trimmed down and should be his usual reliable self in the red zone.
With the Denver Broncos being the class of the division, it’s important for both these teams to get off to good starts, or get left behind really quick.
A slow start by the Chargers this season could cost the coach and general managers their jobs.
