Chargers vs. Raiders Week 18 Prediction
AFC West rivals with a playoff spot on the line will play in the final regular season Sunday Night Football matchup of the year when the Raiders host the Chargers at 8:20 p.m. ET. Are the Chargers the obvious play as only a 3-point road favorite?
Game Snapshot
481 Los Angeles Chargers (-3) at 482 Las Vegas Raiders (+3); o/u 49
8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday, January 9, 2022
Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
TV: NBC
Los Angeles Chargers DFS Spin
Justin Herbert completed 22-of-31 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns in the Chargers’ 34-13, Week 17 win over the Broncos. Herbert notched his 35th passing touchdown of the year in this game. He now holds the single-season record for a Chargers quarterback. Herbert set the record on a 45-yard dime to Mike Williams. Had the Broncos put more points on the board, Herbert could have posted even better numbers in this contest. Instead, the Chargers ran the ball more often than they threw it, keeping Herbert in check. He should be fully unleashed in a de facto play-in game versus the Raiders next week.
Las Vegas Raiders DFS Spin
Derek Carr completed 24-of-31 passes for 255 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the Raiders’ 23-20, Week 17 win over the Colts. This was a “hang tough” game for Carr, who made the most of his limited supporting cast by locking onto Zay Jones and Hunter Renfrow for a combined 15/196/1. It briefly appeared to be 15/220/2 in the dying moments of the game, but a 48-yard Renfrow score was ruled a 24-yard catch upon review. The wideout got his shoe grazed. The Raiders then “settled” for the game-winning field goal. Carr’s interceptions were poor decisions to DeSean Jackson and Jones, respectively, but the sort of thing that are going to happen when Jones and Jackson are running as two of your top-three wideouts. His score was an 11-yard strike to Renfrow where the slot man escaped a hook from the DB. If Carr can guide the Raiders past the Chargers in Week 18, Vegas will become an “against all odds” playoff team.
Chargers vs. Raiders Betting Prediction
The Chargers are 5-1 against the spread in their last six road games against the Raiders, while the road team has cashed in 10 of the last 14 meetings overall. The Chargers are also 6-2 against the spread in their last eight divisional games, while the Raiders are just 2-5 against the number in their last seven matchups against AFC West rivals and are 2-5 ATS in their last seven home games.
NFL WEEK 18 BETTING PREDICTION: LOS ANGELS CHARGERS -3