The Streak Stops Here

When LaDainian Tomlinson's streak ends on Sunday, mine will continue. Prior to the Chiefs game, I dodged a lot of arrows for writing that the Chiefs’ “revamped” defense was overrated and overhyped. Would you care to resume that discussion now, Chiefs fans? I also predicted a score for the Chiefs game that would have been dead accurate in a parallel universe where the zebras aren't out to screw the Raiders.

Next, I was downright Nostradamus-like in my Eagles game prediction. Finally, I predicted the Raiders would dismantle the Cowboys’ protection scheme, and that four sacks of Drew Bledsoe would signal a turning of the tide for both teams. Voila—four sacks exactly.

I now apply Raider Take’s demonstrated extrasensory powers to the upcoming Chargers game. Allow me to clarify one ground rule before we proceed: you will never see a Raider loss predicted here. Won't happen. As far as I'm concerned, we're 16-0 every year until a given gameday proves me wrong. Just as I reserve the right to be critical, I cherish the opportunity to be faithful.

On that note, I predict that the Raiders will beat the Chargers in yet another close game. I am confident that the defense will continue to hang tough, and that the offense will begin to see added liftoff. Most important, I predict that the Raiders defense will be ironclad against the run in the red zone and put an end LaDainian Tomlinson's streak of 17 straight games with a touchdown. Obviously, I'm way out on a limb here (not only given the streak, but what LT has done to us before). Fine, I can take the heat, because I'm a Raiders fan. Put me down for the Raiders discharging the Chargers by a score of 27 to 23.