The Los Angeles Chargers (10-7) visit the Las Vegas Raiders (4-12). If the Chargers win, they will secure the AFC’s 5th seed and a trip to Houston to play the Texans in the Wild Card round. This is undoubtedly their most favorable matchup. If they lose, they will go to Baltimore. Our Chargers vs Raiders prediction is for the favored Chargers to cover the 6.5-point spread.
Head-to-head, the Raiders lead with a record of 69-59-2.
Offshore Odds:
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chargers | -6.5 (-115) | -290 | O 42 (-110) |
| Raiders | +6.5 (-105) | +245 | U 42 (-110) |
Los Angeles Suddenly Has an Easier Path
Pittsburgh’s collapse losing its last four games opened the door for Los Angeles to jump over them and grab the number 5 seed. They have one thing left to do: Beat the Raiders.
Mentioning the Steelers’ late-season stumble is not meant to imply that the Chargers have not earned their position. They certainly have earned it by rebounding from their slump, losing two straight to Kansas City and Tampa Bay to fall to 8-6. In Week 16, they beat divisional rival and fellow playoff hopeful Denver. Then they blew out New England.
LA enters this game reasonably healthy. Running back Gus Edwards is out. Apart from that, their key guys are available.
A best-case for the Chargers would be the Raiders conceding, but given how Las Vegas has played in recent weeks, that won’t happen. They have won two straight after a 10-game losing streak. Admittedly, those wins were against Jacksonville and New Orleans.
Chargers-Raiders is going to be a real game and LA needs to work for it.
LA’s strength is its defense. They are ranked first in the NFL in the fewest points allowed per game. Their rushing attack struggled with the recent injury to J.K. Dobbins, but he’s back. Expect the Raiders to turn the ball over. They’re one of the worst teams in the league for takeaway differential and LA is one of the best.
The Raiders’ defense has been relatively effective, so expect the Chargers to play conservatively, get a lead, and sit on the ball.
Las Vegas Has the Chance to Damage a Rival
The Chargers-Raiders rivalry goes back to the early days of the AFL. The late Raiders owner Al Davis got his start in professional football as an offensive assistant for the Chargers.
Now, Las Vegas has an opportunity to prevent LA from getting a desirable matchup against Houston, a team they will likely be favored against in the Wild Card.
But the Chargers’ defense is not the Saints’ or Jaguars’. Las Vegas will have trouble scoring. Given what’s at stake, it’s hard to envision a close game for more than a quarter.
Chargers vs Raiders Prediction: LA Will Take Care of Business and Get the 5 Seed
The Chargers did not get this far to lose to the Raiders and blow a good chance to advance past the Wild Card. They will win the game going away.
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