Staff Writer

When the Chargers have the ball

Philip Rivers gets dunked for his NFL baptism, but tonight's offensive attack revolves around two letters: L.T. While everyone is anxious to evaluate Rivers, the Chargers will run LaDainian Tomlinson at the Raiders until they prove they can stop him. That might happen sooner than thought, as the Raiders will clog the box with eight players, teasing Rivers about the possibilities in the passing game. That Raiders' run defense, which finished 25th last year, has new run-stuffers in rookie S Mike Huff and LB Thomas Howard; don't overlook MLB Kirk Morrison (San Diego State) as well. But a key is corralling DE Derrick Burgess, whose 16 sacks last year led the league. RT Shane Olivea will get some help, but there is also a red flag on the other side with LT Marcus McNeill making his NFL debut. But the Chargers have too many options for the Raiders to wrap their arms around.

Edge: CHARGERS

When the Raiders have the ball

The Chargers' stingy bunch takes the field without OLB Steve Foley, who remains hospitalized after being shot eight days ago. Foley is a big part of this unit's success, and while Shaun Phillips replaces him just fine with his pass-rushing skills, let's see how he holds up against the run. The Raiders trot out LaMont Jordan, a powerful runner primed for a breakout year, although his front line is unsettled. But it's the passing game which can befuddle the Chargers, and new QB Aaron Brooks will try to silence his critics -- and mouthy WR Randy Moss -- by getting the ball downfield against a secondary that has been hyped, but yet to prove it is improved. Keep and eye on OLB Shawne Merriman and how the Raiders attempt to block him. Foley's absence on the opposite side of Merriman is worth watching.

Edge: CHARGERS

Special teams

The Chargers allowed 24 yards on kickoffs and nearly 10 yards on punts during the preseason -- the team must do better or the end result is shaky field position for their first-year starting quarterback. Michael Turner takes over for Darren Sproles (leg) on kickoffs, with Eric Parker replacing Cletis Gordon (hand) on punts. Raiders returner Chris Carr's summer exhibition season showed a long of 60 yards (kickoff) and 72 yards with a touchdown (punt). The legs here are about even, as the Raiders' Sebastian Janikowski and Shane Lechler can hang with Nate Kaeding and Mike Scifres.

Edge: RAIDERS

What to expect

The Chargers have punked the Raiders five straight times and in three of their past four trips to Oakland. And no one kicks the Raiders to the curb like coach Marty Schottenheimer, who is 25-7 against the Silver and Black. The Raiders never have figured out how to stop Tomlinson (1,215 yards and nine TDs rushing) and they're starting two rookies on defense. But we smell something here. Maybe it's our new sports editor from Minnesota's old cheese sandwich stinking up the place. But an NFL trap could be being set here, with the Raiders always playing tough on Monday night and doing so with a purpose behind new coach Art Shell. Everything points to the Chargers starting fast, but we'll start the e-mails coming fast and furious by picking a Raiders upset.

RAIDERS 17, CHARGERS 13

-- Jay Paris

ANOTHER VIEW

Steve Corkran, Contra Costa Times

"Rather than a running Rivers, a throwing Rivers is too much for the young Raiders defense."

CHARGERS 31, RAIDERS 20

CHARGERS-RAIDERS STARTING LINEUPS

CHARGERS OFFENSE

Pos. - No. - Name - Ht. - Wt.

WR - 88 - Eric Parker - 6-0 - 180

LT - 73 - Marcus McNeill - 6-7 - 336

LG - 68 - Kris Dielman - 6-4 - 310

C - 61 - Nick Hardwick - 6-4 - 295

RG - 79 - Mike Goff - 6-5 - 311

RT - 70 - Shane Olivea - 6-4 - 312

TE - 85 - Antonio Gates - 6-4 - 260

WR - 87 - Keenan McCardell - 6-1 - 191

QB - 17 - Philip Rivers - 6-5 - 228

FB - 41 - Lorenzo Neal - 5-11 - 255

RB - 21 - LaDainian Tomlinson - 5-10 - 221

K - 10 - Nate Kaeding - 6-0 - 187

CHARGERS DEFENSE

Pos. - No. - Name - Ht. - Wt.

LE - 93 - Luis Castillo - 6-3 - 290

DT - 76 - Jamal Williams - 6-3 - 348

RE - 99 - Igor Olshansky - 6-6 - 309

OLB - 56 - Shawne Merriman - 6-4 - 272

ILB - 58 - Randall Godfrey - 6-2 - 245

ILB - 59 - Donnie Edwards - 6-2 - 227

OLB - 95 - Shaun Phillips - 6-3 - 262

LCB - 23 - Quentin Jammer - 6-0 - 204

RCB - 29 - Drayton Florence - 6-0 - 195

SS - 48 - Terrence Kiel - 5-11 - 207

FS - 20 - Marlon McCree - 5-11 - 202

P - 5 - Mike Scifres - 6-2 - 236

RAIDERS OFFENSE

Pos. - No. - Name - Ht. - Wt.

WR - 18 - Randy Moss - 6-4 - 210

LT - 76 - Robert Gallery - 6-7 - 325

C - 62 - Corey Hulsey - 6-4 - 325

RG - 79 - Paul McQuistan - 6-6 - 315

RT - 66 - Langston Walker - 6-8 - 345

TE - 83 - Courtney Anderson - 6-6 - 270

WR - 87 - Alvis Whitted - 6-0 - 185

FB - 32 - Zack Crockett - 6-2 - 240

RB - 34 - LaMont Jordan - 5-10 - 230

QB - 2 - Aaron Brooks - 6-4 - 220

K - 11 - Sebastian Janikowski - 6-2 - 250

RAIDERS DEFENSE

Pos. - No. - Name - Ht. - Wt.

DE - 91 - Tyer Brayton - 6-6 - 280

DT - 99 - Warren Sapp - 6-2 - 300

DT - 93 - Tommy Kelly - 6-6 - 300

DE - 56 - Derrick Burgess - 6-2 - 260

OLB - 54 - Sam Williams - 6-5 - 260

MLB - 52 - Kirk Morrison - 6-2 - 240

OLB - 53 - Thomas Howard - 6-3 - 240

SS - 24 - Michael Huff - 6-1 - 205

FS - 30 - Stuart Schweigert - 6-2 - 210

CB - 21 - Nnamdi Asomugha - 6-2 - 210

CB - 27 - Fabian Washington - 5-11 - 185

P - 9 - Shane Lechler - 6-2 - 225