Around the AFC West, Week 10: Are the L.A. Chargers legitimate contenders?

Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders. Honestly, how many jokes can I make about this organization at this point? It’s become sad. The Raiders traveled to San Francisco on Thursday night football in what may have been the least exciting match-up of the year. This game, on paper, at the beginning of the year, looked like a good one, but with the loss of Jimmy Garoppolo, the struggling 49ers have failed to gain any momentum or play good football. The Raiders decided to trade away all talent on their roster so that this game would be competitive? Unfortunately, they traded away too much.

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This was a blow out of monumental proportions. We witnessed the birth of Nick Mullens. Who? That’s right, the third-string quarterback for the 49ers threw 16 of 22 for 262 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. His passer rating was 151.9. Unbelievable. The Raiders really are that bad. With a 34-3 loss, the Raiders fell to 1-7 and are largely considered the worst team in the NFL.

Derek Carr was feeling bruised the next day having been sacked seven times before being removed from the game and replaced with AJ McCarron in the fourth quarter. Last season, Carr was sacked 20 times. Through eight games this season, he has hit the turf 23 times. If the Raiders aren’t careful, they will have no players left. It seems like a foregone conclusion that the Raiders will have the number 1 pick in the 2019 draft.

Dysfunction reigns in Oakland and it is only going to get worse. The banged up Oakland offensive line suffered another injury. This time to Kolton Miller. He left the game with a knee injury. His status has not been updated. This is a re-injury of the same knee that had hobbled him earlier this season, but maybe he was not yet fully recovered when they brought him back in.

Not only were there injuries, but it was announced that the Raiders parted ways with Bruce Irvin this week. Remind me which coach it was that said it was hard to find a good pass rusher? Oh, that’s right! It was Jon Gruden! Look, I don’t know what is going on in Oakland, but their problems are only multiplying as the weeks go on.

Next week, the Oakland Raiders play host to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers are coming off a win against Seattle and are now being touted as Super Bowl contenders again. Sure. Whatever. Either way, this is an easy game for me to call. The Raiders are going to lose. There is just too much chaos and lack of talent. I’m also fairly certain the players have given up. If that isn’t a sign of a failing franchise, I don’t know what is. Game time is 3:05 p.m.