Chargers vs. Raiders: What LA must do on defense to win the game

The Chargers will look to get back on track on Sunday against a flailing Raiders team that LA completely controlled in Week 2.

Here's what Jim Harbaugh's squad needs to do defensively to come away with the win.

Get hands on the ball

The Chargers played tight coverage all game, the first time these two teams matched up this season, holding Raiders QB Geno Smith to 0-for-11 on passes over 10 yards and intercepting him three times. Donte Jackson had one of those picks, his second straight game against the Raiders with an interception, and has arguably been LA's most consistent corner this season. LA would do well to get its hands on the ball when a Raider is already possessing it, too: the Chargers have recovered only one fumble all season, tied for the fewest in the league.

Have a plan against the run

Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty has been underwhelming, considering the expectations when he entered the league. However, he's still been a dynamic threat at times - he had a 100-yard rushing game in Week 4 against Chicago and went over 100 scrimmage yards last week. The Raiders fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and replaced him with quarterbacks coach Greg Olson, who will likely look to feature Jeanty a bit more, even with starting offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson on IR and center Jordan Meredith's status in question.

Keep Brock Bowers under wraps

It's a similar story for Bowers as it is for Jeanty, but the second-year tight end has also battled through a knee injury for much of the year. Bowers had 103 yards in the opener against New England and scored all three of his touchdowns against the Jaguars earlier this month, but otherwise has averaged 4.6 receptions for 46.7 yards in his other six games. Olson will likely be looking to up those numbers, which will force Derwin James Jr. to step up in coverage all game as the likely primary defender on Bowers.

Rally from poor field position

The Raiders are likely to start at least a few drives in this game with decent field position, as kick returner Raheem Mostert is second in the NFL in kickoff return average and the Chargers' kickoff coverage unit allows the highest average in the league. Las Vegas is poor on third downs, which should help LA (5th in third-down conversion percentage allowed) buckle down in those situations, but Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson has a strong leg that could expand Las Vegas' potential on short drives.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers' defensive keys to victory against the Raiders