Raiders to Start Rookie QB Aidan O'Connell vs. Chargers

Raiders rookie Aidan O'Connell will start at quarterback against the Chargers, replacing the injured Jimmy Garoppolo.

The Las Vegas Raiders are facing a quarterback dilemma for their upcoming game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Jimmy Garoppolo, the team's most established quarterback, has been ruled out due to a concussion. As a result, the Raiders will turn to rookie Aidan O'Connell to start the game. O'Connell, a fourth-round draft pick in April, will be making his regular-season debut.

The decision to start O'Connell over veteran Brian Hoyer is a surprising one. Hoyer, who has started 40 games in his 15-year NFL career, has only started three games since the 2017 season. However, he has lost his past 12 starts, making the coaching staff hesitant to give him the starting nod.

Raiders coach Josh McDaniels has been tight-lipped about his decision, but it seems that O'Connell will need to perform better than Garoppolo has so far this season. Garoppolo has thrown five touchdown passes compared to six interceptions, contributing to the Raiders' low ranking in points per game.

On the other side of the field, the Chargers are coming off a close win against the Minnesota Vikings. The team will be looking to build off their success and continue their momentum. However, they will be without their star wide receiver Mike Williams, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL. Running back Austin Ekeler, who missed the past two games with an ankle injury, is expected to return to practice and could provide a boost to the offense.

The Chargers' defense has been struggling this season, particularly against the pass. They rank near the bottom of the league in total defense and passing defense. The absence of safety Derwin James Jr. and potential injuries to other defensive players could further weaken their defense.

For the Raiders to have a chance at victory, they will need their running back Josh Jacobs to step up. Jacobs, who held out during training camp, has been limited in his production so far this season. He has only rushed for 108 yards on 45 carries and has yet to score a touchdown. However, he was the league's leading rusher last season and will be looking to regain his form.

Overall, this game between the Raiders and Chargers is shaping up to be an interesting matchup. With the Raiders starting a rookie quarterback and the Chargers dealing with injuries on both offense and defense, it's uncertain how the game will play out. Both teams will need to make adjustments and elevate their game to come out on top.

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