By Joe Hawkes-Beamon

OAKLAND — On the heels of a 56-31 loss (the most points given up in franchise history) to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15, the Oakland Raiders hit the road for the final time in 2013 when they face another bitter AFC West rival, the San Diego Chargers in Week 16 at Qualcomm Stadium. Oakland took down San Diego 27-17 back in Week 5, in a game that started at 8:35 p.m. PDT due to the Oakland A’s playoff game the previous night.

Oakland (4-10), found themselves behind the 8-ball early against Kansas City, thanks in large part to Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles.

Charles ripped the Raiders apart, gaining 215 yards from scrimmage (8 catches for 195 yards, 4 TDs, 2 carries for 30 yards 1 TD). Quarterback Alex Smith played nearly flawless football, completing 17 of 20 passes for 287 yards and five touchdowns. The Silver and Black had no answer for a Chiefs (11-3) team that clinched a wildcard spot with the win, after finishing 2-14 last season.

The Raiders have lost their last four games and Sunday’s performance was a clear indication that the season is rapidly coming to an end for a team that will be watching the playoffs  on television for the 11 straight season.

Oakland quarterback Matt McGloin had a nightmare of a game, with five turnovers (4 INTs, 1 fumble). McGloin looked shell-shocked for the better part of the game and was yanked late in favor of Terrelle Pryor. Even with all of the turnovers against Kansas City, McGloin will be under center Sunday, but don’t be surprised if you see Pryor get some playing time against San Diego Sunday.

San Diego (7-7) is one game back for the final playoff spot in the AFC playoffs, but are coming off a huge 27-20 victory in Denver last Thursday night. Overall, San Diego have won three of their last five games and are heading in the opposite direction than the Raiders.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers dismantled the Broncos, passing for two touchdowns to wide receiver Keenan Allen while finishing with 166 yards on 12 of 20 passing, while keeping Rivers is having one of his finest seasons, placing first in the league among quarterbacks in completion percentage (69.9), tied for fourth in touchdown passes (28), and yards (4,048).

Running back Ryan Mathews racked up 127 yards on 29 carries and a touchdown. Mathews went over the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the second time in his career against Denver (11-3), but the guy that will be the difference maker Sunday against Oakland will be running back, Danny Woodhead.

Oakland’s entire defense (from defensive coordinator Jason Tarver to Sio Moore, will need to account for Woodhead because Rivers loves to drop the ball off to the diminutive running back if all-world tight end Antonio Gates is double-teamed.

Woodhead is second on the team in catches (Gates leads with 70, Woodhead has 66), touchdowns (Allen and WR Eddie Royal tied for 7, Woodhead has 6 TDs), and third in yards (Allen leads with 931, Woodhead has 547).

When Woodhead is involved early and often in the game, San Diego is nearly unbeatable and it could be a long afternoon for Oakland if Woodhead is able to get loose, like Charles got loose last Sunday at O.co Coliseum.

Two teams definitely heading in opposite directions.

Should make for an interesting game.