Neither of these teams will be happy with their season, but you have to ask what the hell has happened to the San Diego Chargers?
To go from Conference finalists last season to not even making the play-offs this time round, well that's a major drop with a thud - especially if you talk about talent.
When it comes to individuals, guys capable of making big plays, San Diego has as much ability as anyone in the NFL, which makes their demise even more surprising.
LT: can't do it injured!
Their biggest problem has been finishing. If you lose four games on a last-second play that means you are pretty much doing what you have to do, but when it comes down to making it really matter, that's where they have come up short.
If those four games were wins and not losses, that makes them 8-4 not 4-8 and there you have it - something like what we expected from the San Diego Chargers.
When it comes to individuals, guys capable of making big plays, San Diego has as much ability as anyone in the NFL, which makes their demise even more surprising.
Kevin Cadle
Quotes of the week
Live on Sky Sports
1.00am, Fri, Sky Sports 1&HD1
But it's not just about the offense either. In those losses the game-breakers were scored against their defense so if you really want to point a finger and give some serious consideration to just what has gone wrong, then maybe that side of the football is where they have let themselves down the most.
You certainly point at LT. The guy's been hurt, simple as that. His feet have been busted up and it's hard enough walking round the block when that happens, never mind carrying a side and leading the league in rushing.
And offensive yards have not been a big problem either, it's just they have been letting sides do the same and have not really been able to stop anybody.
Missing
Then again, they are up against a Raiders side, that just haven't got anything going. Anything at all.
But I guess that's the risk you take when you choose to rely on a second-year quarterback, JaMarcus Russell, who is still new to the league.
It would have helped if he hadn't had a rookie running back to rely on (Darren McFadden) and a second-year tight end and a bunch of receivers who wouldn't get into a whole heap of other teams in the league - there's just a whole lot missing on that offense.
The big question for Oakland is not really where they finish the season or how, but how quickly those young guys mature.
If they do it straight away then this will have been a worthwhile season of building for them, but you can't just put all of them in the same boat and expect that to happen.
It also depends what happens with the Oakland coaching staff who will play a big part in that. Don't forget Tom Cable is still only interim coach, so there is every chance the organisation decides to make a move and the musical chairs come out again.
CADLE'S CALL: I've got to go with San Diego. They might have messed up, but there's still divisional pride at stake and they certainly don't want to end up being the worst team in California!
Video
Post to your View!
Be the first to post a comment on this story