The Chargers activated Matlock (foot) from injured reserve Saturday, but he's still listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
The Chargers signed Wease off the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.
The Raiders elevated Thompkins from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.
The Chargers placed Lance (groin) on injured reserve Saturday.
The Raiders elevated Hemby from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.
Kolar (forearm) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
The Chargers placed Slater (ankle) on injured reserve Friday.
Awosika (lower leg) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Alt (neck) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Penning (concussion) was been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against Denver.
In week one the Raiders were able to maximize their game plan without any tweaks against the Miami Dolphins. In week two I expect that to be different on the road against a Chargers team needing to avoid going 0-2. With that look for more involvement from the Raiders wide receivers, that did not have anyone surpass twenty seven yards receiving in week one. Look for the pre-established connection of Cousins and Nailor from two years in Minnesota to thrive enough for Nailor to clear his prop. Play his over.
The Chargers were in the -9.5 range in look-ahead lines for this matchup. Following their disastrous Week 1 loss to the Cardinals, we'll take the discount and back them to get the best of a Raiders club following their opening victory over Miami.
There's certainly an argument that Omarion Hampton may not be the guy we thought he was, particularly in this Mike McDaniel offense. With that said, this is a pretty great buy low opportunity given the Chargers are at home, were embarrassed last week and will likely enjoy a positive game script. It'll be back to basics this week with a run game that may not be super efficient, but should get us there with Hampton on volume alone (projected for 16 carries).
I'm always looking to back good teams in Week 2 who looked flat in the opener. No team fits that theory better than the Chargers. Credit to Arizona's coaching staff for having the Cardinals ready to play, but the Chargers looked like they were in slow motion. Jim Harbaugh said he should have played his starters more in the preseason, and I expect Los Angeles to be more focused on Sunday. I'm projecting Ladd McConkey to be out, but I expect the Chargers' defense to dominate here after the Raiders averaged just over 4.0 yards per play against what I think is the worst team in the NFL. If the Chargers won last week, this line is -9. I'll take LA to roll at home.
The Chargers suffered an ugly loss in their opener, and while it brings questions about their offense, I expect this will be an easier matchup with the respective quality of the interior defensive front in Arizona and Vegas. The Raiders won 27-13 but did not look as impressive as that final score, averaging just 4.3 yards per play on offense. Even if Ladd McConkey is unavailable, the Raiders defense will be up against a much stronger set of weapons here. I like fading the overreaction move on this spread, but it's just a strong lean at -7.
