RADIO
Philip Rivers proved he wasn't human in Week 6 when he destroyed the Green Bay Packers for more than 500 yards and two touchdowns. Keenan Allen, who has been Rivers' favorite target this season, was the beneficiary of 14 of those completions for 157 yards in that game, and the two showed they have the ability to be one of the best quarterback-wide receiver tandems in the NFL.
The Chargers come into this game banged up on offense, as tight end Antonio Gates is listed as questionable and wide receiver Stevie Johnson is still bothered by a hamstring injury. Allen, who is dealing with a hip flexor injury himself, will still benefit the most when he's out on the field.
Allen has put up four double-digit fantasy weeks this season and has double-digit catches in three of his six games. Even with Gates back in the lineup, Allen has seen plenty of looks from Rivers, and that trend will continue against a Raiders team that is dead-last in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game. Allen is averaging nearly 12 targets per game this season, and he remains San Diego's best receiving option even though he may not be 100 percent come game time.
Rivers has played like a man possessed over the last three games where he's averaged 408 yards per game. He's also averaged 25 fantasy points per game during that span, according to stand scoring leagues, and he should continue that success against a woeful Oakland secondary.
Rivers has also done well against the Raiders over the last three seasons. In two games against Oakland last year, Rivers averaged 253 yards and two touchdowns per game, good enough for 18 fantasy points per game.
Even if Gates is unable to suit up, Rivers has found a great target in tight end Ladarius Green, whom he connected with for a touchdown against Green Bay. Oakland is not a great passing defense by any means, and the loss of defensive end Justin Tuck means the Raiders will have even less of a pass rush to slow Rivers down. And with Oakland possessing one of the NFL's best rushing defenses, look for Rivers to air it out a lot on Sunday.
