For Some, a Final Chance to Be a Raider : Pro football: Game against the Chargers today offers the last opportunity before Monday’s roster cutdown.

Assured of their first winning exhibition season since 1979, the Raiders (3-1) play their final tuneup today against the San Diego Chargers at the Coliseum at 1 p.m.

With the roster cut to 47 players due Monday, this will be a key game for players such as Raider defensive back Elvis Patterson, a former Charger.

“I think I have a good chance,” Patterson said. “The only thing stopping me from making this football team is me.”

Acquired by the Raiders as a Plan B free agent from the Chargers, Patterson had four interceptions in three seasons in San Diego. But his biggest contribution was on special teams, where he ranked second in tackles. And if he makes the Raiders it may well be because of his play on special teams.

“I’ve proven time and time again that I can come through with the big play, whether it’s on defense or special teams,” Patterson said.

Said Raider Coach Art Shell: “Elvis is doing fine. He’s a veteran who has been around the league for a couple of years now, and he understands how to play the game, and he’s an outstanding special-teams player.”

San Diego linebacker Junior Seau, who ended a monthlong holdout Monday, signing a five-year, $4.25-million contract, is expected to make his debut today. The fifth player selected in the NFL draft, Seau sought a contract that would have paid him $1.2 million a season but settled for $905,000 a season when Charger General Manager Bobby Beathard gave him an ultimatum to accept the offer or sit out the season.

After agreeing to terms last week, Seau waited four days before reporting to camp and signing the contract. Seau said he had missed three flights from Cancun, Mexico, where he was vacationing.

Seau, however, has looked good in practice this week. An outside linebacker at USC, he is being moved inside, where he is expected to replace Cedric Figaro in the starting lineup.

The Chargers (3-0) are coming off a 29-28 victory over the San Francisco 49ers last weekend.

Billy Joe Tolliver, who has replaced Jim McMahon as the Chargers’ starting quarterback, has been inconsistent, completing 29 of 54 passes for 374 yards and one touchdown. In his second season, Tolliver has had accuracy problems, underthrowing his receivers.

Backup quarterback Mark Vlasic, sidelined with a knee injury last season, has completed 30 of 39 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns.

Although the Chargers insist that Tolliver will open the season, Vlasic is expect to start today’s game because the Chargers want to give Tolliver the experience of coming in off the bench.

Wide receiver Anthony Miller, who beat the Raiders with a 91-yard kickoff return last season, has caught 16 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown. Miller had eight receptions for 143 yards against the 49ers.

Raider Notes

The Charger offensive line is in disarray because of injuries. Tackles Joel Patten and Broderick Thompson are out with knee injuries. Rookie Joe Staysniak will start in place of Thompson at right tackle and free agent Eric Floyd will replace Patten at left tackle. . . . Charger tight end Arthur Cox is doubtful with a bad back.

Raider cornerback Terry McDaniel, sidelined because of a hamstring pull, is expected to play, but tailback Marcus Allen (hamstring) probably will not. . . . There has been no progress in negotiations with unsigned quarterback Steve Beuerlein.

Since the Raiders and Chargers are in the AFC West and will meet twice this season, will the Raiders be under wraps today? “I’m sure they’ll probably show us some things that they want to show us to make us aware of and we’ll probably do the same thing,” Raider Coach Art Shell said. “And the next time we play them they probably won’t even use the stuff.”