Chargers Must Slow the Raiders’ Pass Rush in Today’s Rematch

‘I’ve been playing against San Diego for five years. You don’t have to tell me what type of offense they have. They can be sporadic one week, then come back and put it all together the next game.’

--Howie Long

As pep talks go, this one isn’t going to be studied by coaches decades from now.

But Alex Spanos is more concerned about the immediate future, meaning today. If a little piece of oratory can help subdue the Raiders, he’s game.

“I’ve never had a better feeling about our staff or our club,” the Charger owner said as he reflected on last week’s win over Denver and today’s rematch against the Raiders.

“If we play as well as we did against Denver, we’re going to go all the way. Hey, things are just going so well for us. I want our players to be encouraged. I don’t want them to think about anything but winning.”

The memory of that 34-21 loss two weeks ago on Monday night left Coach Don Coryell talking in slightly different terms.

“It’s going to take a perfect game,” he said. “We have to do well in all phases of the game and make the big plays like we did against Denver. We’ve been preaching that if we’re going to win, it’ll probably be a last-minute win.”

The Chargers will have to find a way to slow the rush of Lyle Alzado, Howie Long and friends, who sacked Dan Fouts six times and seemed to bother him as much as the big brace on his right knee.

It may be even tougher than it sounds, because the San Diego offensive line is pretty banged up. Two starters didn’t practice this week. Center Don Macek was resting a sore shoulder, and guard Ed White was recuperating from a concussion. Both are expected to play today.

The Charger blockers handled Denver far more effectively than they had the Raiders, who are more aggressive than their Bronco counterparts.

Another reason Fouts got more time to throw last week was the running of Gary Anderson, who gained 116 yards in his first productive rushing day since joining the team from the USFL. The Chargers will have to make some room for him if Fouts is going to work on cornerbacks Lester Hayes and Mike Haynes with any intermediate or deep routes.

The Chargers didn’t need Kellen Winslow last week but could use a big game from him today. After the Denver game, he took a day off, unannounced, and flew to Canada to promote a soft drink. It cost him $1,000 in fines and perhaps the good will of a few teammates, but he’s back now, apparently forgiven by Coryell, and nothing would soothe bruised feelings all around like a 10-catch day.

“It’s been tough for him to come back right away and be the Kellen of old,” tight end Eric Sievers said. “But we know he’s the guy who can make the spectacular grab, and he’s proved his All-Pro worthiness for years.”

It hasn’t happened yet, but reason dictates that when Winslow, Wes Chandler, Lionel James, Charlie Joiner and Anderson are involved in the passing game, a 400-yard bounty has to result.

“We never take the Chargers lightly,” Raider Coach Tom Flores said. “They have more than one dimension now, and they’re improved since our last game. All of a sudden, they’re back in the race, and they’ve got a shot at the playoffs.”

But to be a serious factor in the AFC West, the Chargers need to even their record today, which would leave them one game behind the Raiders. The Chargers must travel to Denver next Sunday, and their playoff chances would be dead if they were swept by the Raiders and Broncos.

The Raiders, who lost to Seattle, 33-3, last week, are aware of the stakes.

“I’ve been playing against San Diego for five years,” Long said. “You don’t have to tell me what type of offense they have. They can be sporadic one week, then come back and put it all together the next game.

“I think it’s bad for us to be playing them so soon again. The last one is fresh in their memory. They had some breakdowns in their offensive line, and I’m sure that stands out in their minds. I’m also sure they look at this as their game of the year. Most teams do when they play the Raiders. I know the fans are going to be yelling things about my mother and sister.”