Longtime adversaries, potential partners square off
Last week was the emotional potential finale for the Chargers in San Diego.
On Thursday night, the Raiders could be bidding adieu to Oakland.
Both franchises, long-time adversaries as original AFL entries and then as AFC rivals, could be business partners very soon. They both have designs on moving to Los Angeles and have plans to share a stadium in nearby Carson.
For now, they are finishing out unfulfilling 2015 seasons, San Diego at 4-10, Oakland at 6-8.
''The makeup of this team has always been that we will never quit and we will fight to the end,'' said Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who is 14-5 against Oakland as a starter. ''We signed up to play 16 games and we're going to play all of them. Winning, losing, whatever is happening.''
Mostly losing, and the Chargers have a shot at the first overall draft pick.
The Raiders' last winning season was 2002, when they lost in the Super Bowl to Tampa Bay. They could get their third 8-8 record in that span by closing with two victories.
San Diego (No. 26 in AP Pro32) is a 5-point underdog to No. 16 Oakland.
RAIDERS, 29-17
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KNOCKOUT LEAGUE TIP: Pro Picks has been knocked around so much that any tips we get should be regarded with skepticism. Fulfilling our duty to make a choice this week, try PITTSBURGH.
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No. 3 New England (minus 3) at No. 10 New York Jets
Patriots want to establish AFC road to Super Bowl goes through Foxborough. Line is too small.
BEST BET: PATRIOTS, 27-17
No. 23 Chicago (plus 3) at No. 21 Tampa Bay
Expect plenty of Bears fans on hand for the ...
UPSET SPECIAL: BEARS, 21-20
No. 30 Cleveland (plus 12 1-2) at No. 7 Kansas City
Thought about this for BEST BET considering roll Chiefs are on.
CHIEFS, 30-13
No. 6 Pittsburgh (minus 10) at No. 31 Baltimore
Thought about this for BEST BET considering roll Steelers are on.
STEELERS, 37-13
No. 19 St. Louis (plus 13) at No. 4 Seattle
Seahawks are rolling, too, but Rams usually give them fits.
SEAHAWKS, 23-19
No. 12 Washington (plus 3) at No. 15 Philadelphia, Saturday
Only because we can't see anyone having winning record in wretched NFC East.
EAGLES, 28-27
No. 14 New York Giants (plus 6) at No. 11 Minnesota
Vikings grab their playoff spot, set up NFC North title showdown with Packers.
VIKINGS, 26-17
No. 8 Green Bay (plus 4) at No. 2 Arizona
Pack falls into division lead tie with Minnesota while Cardinals earn playoff bye.
CARDINALS, 34-27
No. 1 Carolina (minus 7) at No. 17 Atlanta
Panthers seem too resilient to fall to Falcons.
PANTHERS, 27-16
No. 5 Cincinnati (plus 3 1-2) at No. 9 Denver, Monday night
Broncos actually could fall out of playoffs by losing final two. Forget it.
BRONCOS, 17-16
No. 27 Dallas (plus 6) at No. 20 Buffalo
Which team has been more disappointing in 2015? Close call.
BILLS, 20-17
No. 25 Jacksonville (plus 3 1-2) at No. 24 New Orleans
Young Jaguars must learn to win these kinds of toss-up games.
JAGUARS, 30-28
No. 29 San Francisco (plus 9) at No. 22 Detroit
Two coaches perhaps closing out their tenures.
LIONS, 30-20
No. 18 Indianapolis (OFF) at No. 28 Miami
Two more coaches perhaps closing out their tenures.
DOLPHINS, 19-16
No. 13 Houston (OFF) at No. 32 Tennessee
Texans secure weak AFC South.
TEXANS, 16-10
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2015 RECORD: Against spread: Week 6-8-1, Season (106-103-6). Straight up: Week 11-5, Season (138-86)
Best Bet: 7-7-1 against spread, 9-6 straight up.
Upset special: 7-8 against spread, 4-11 straight up.
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AP website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
