Chargers vs. Raiders Spread Prediction
AFC West rivals meet in Las Vegas on Thursday night where the Raiders will host the Chargers at 8:20 p.m. ET. Will the Raiders snap out of their funk and keep their fading playoff hopes alive or are the Chargers the better play as a road underdog?
Game Snapshot
301 Los Angeles Chargers (+3) at 302 Las Vegas Raiders (-3); o/u 54
8:20 p.m. ET, Thursday, December 17, 2020
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
TV: FOX/NFL Network
Los Angeles Chargers DFS Spin
Justin Herbert completed 36-of-44 passes for 243 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in the Chargers’ Week 14 win over the Falcons. Herbert averaged 5.5 YPA in this one, with the Chargers dialing up more screens than usual. His touchdowns went to Keenan Allen and Tyron Johnson, who was filling in for an injured Mike Williams. Coming off his two worst starts, this was closer to the Herbert we saw earlier in the year. With the performance, Herbert is one of only four quarterbacks to throw for at least 25 touchdowns in their first season. Herbert remains the odds-on favorite to win Rookie of the Year.
Las Vegas Raiders DFS Spin
Derek Carr completed 31-of-45 passes for 316 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in the Raiders’ Week 14 loss to the Colts. The difference between the Colts and Raiders on Sunday was their physicality. Indianapolis’ defense came to play, and the Raiders were ineffective on the ground. Carr’s timid play left the Raiders dinking and dunking for most of the game, which resulted in forgettable QB2 numbers for Carr. Coach Jon Gruden has done a fine job with so-so offensive talent, but it appears the team is capped right now. Carr will be on the QB2/3 border against the Chargers in Week 15.
Chargers vs. Raiders Betting Prediction
If it weren’t for a bad play call by former Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams in the closing seconds of a game in East Rutherford three weeks ago, the Raiders would be winless over their last four games. That said, just because the Chargers picked up a win last week at home against the Falcons doesn’t mean they’re the better option tonight. Had Matt Ryan not thrown back-to-back interceptions on the Falcons’ final two possessions, the Bolts would be winless over their last three games.
In the battle of struggling teams, I see the Raiders coming through with a victory tonight to save their fading playoff hopes for at least one week. They’re not going to qualify for the postseason, mind you, but Anthony Lynn of the Chargers often puts on a master class on what not to do in football situations so with the Raiders having the edge in coaching and overall talent, I’m siding with them tonight.
NFL WEEK 14 BETTING PREDICTION: LAS VEGAS RAIDERS -3