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While the main focus this coming weekend in the NFL centers on Dallas and New England, out here on the left coast the main point of interest is the annual grudge match bordering on bloodline feud between the Raiders and the Chargers at what is often referred to as Oakland's ninth home game, given how many members of the Raider Nation invade Qualcomm Stadium each year.

Before the season started, the Chargers were more than occasionally mentioned in the same breath as the Patriots and the Colts as the elite of the AFC.  This of course explains why they're currently tied with Denver and Kansas City at 2-3.  When LaDainian Tomlinson is only the fifteenth leading rusher in the league, and a defense that last year ranked fourth overall is currently sitting at twenty-second, something's gone wrong.  Most of the finger-pointing has been aimed at new head coach Norv Turner, but blaming him for Philip Rivers playing decidedly average quarterback seems a bit out of touch with reality.  Not that Rivers alone is responsible for San Diego's underperforming when compared to expectations.  When you go 14-2 the year before, for some strange reason people expect good things out of you.  Go figure.  That all said, the Chargers did embarrass the Broncos last week, and in Denver, so perhaps they're coming back to life.

As to the Raiders, the primary concern is injuries.  LaMont Jordan is iffy, while Derrick Burgess and Gerald Warren are both most likely out which leaves Oakland dangerously thin on the defensive line.  Just the thing you don't want to hear when you're lining up against Tomlinson.  Meanwhile, Daunte Culpepper will start at quarterback.  Given how thus far the Chargers have been okay at stopping the run but weak at defending the pass, look for him to air it out early and often.

This game could well turn into an old-fashioned Wild Wild AFL West shootout.  Whether the action on the field will be as wild as the action in the stands remains to be seen, but regardless it should be entertaining.  And, should the Raiders win, they'll be the only team in the AFC West with a winning record.  Now that would be sweet.