Las Vegas Raiders at LA Chargers odds, picks and predictions
By Nathan Beighle,
2024-09-07
The Las Vegas Raiders and LA Chargers open their seasons at SoFi Stadium Sunday. Kickoff is set for 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Raiders vs. Chargersodds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.
The Raiders went 0-2-1 in preseason action and didn’t give the starters too much burn. The team added QB Gardner Minshew, who earned a Pro Bowl appearance with the Indianapolis Colts last season. Las Vegas took Georgia TE Brock Bowers with its 1st-round pick, adding another weapon to its offense. The Raiders will look to build on an 8-9 finish last season.
The Chargers had a disappointing season a year ago, finishing 5-12 and losing their last 5 games. They fired coach Brandon Staley in December, opening the door for Jim Harbaugh — fresh off a national championship with Michigan — to get hired in January. QB Justin Herbert will still be the team’s main weapon, but he lost both WR Keenan Allen and RB Austin Ekeler. Los Angeles went 1-2 in its preseason action. It added the top offensive lineman Joe Alt with the 7th-overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Moneyline (ML): Raiders +138 (bet $100 to win $138) | Chargers -164 (bet $164 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Raiders +3 (-110) | Chargers -3 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 39.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Raiders at Chargers key injuries
Raiders
LB Tommy Eichenberg (knee) questionable
CB Decamerion Richardson (hamstring) out
Chargers
WR DJ Chark (hip) out
CB Asante Samuel Jr. (shoulder) questionable
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Raiders at Chargers picks and predictions
Prediction
Raiders 24, Chargers 23
BET RAIDERS (+138).
The Raiders have the weapons to score on a Chargers defense that gave up 107 points through the last 4 weeks of the 2023 season. Las Vegas actually put 63 on the Chargers in Week 15. Minshew is consistent and should be able to find his talented options.
PFF.com ranked the Raiders as the 9th-best defensive line, with the Chargers 22nd. LA is a bit more difficult to trust in Week 1 since 2 of its key players on the offensive side are rookies. Considering those factors, take RAIDERS (+138).
PASS.
The field-goal spread really isn’t a bad play, but the better option is taking the plus-money underdog straight up. Play that in this situation.
BET OVER 39.5 (-115).
The Chargers have a big-arm quarterback in Herbert, who has thrown for over 4,700 yards in 2 of his last 3 seasons. He should have a bounce-back season. He has also thrown 10 or more interceptions in 3 of 4 years, so he may produce turnovers that give away points as well.
Minshew’s Colts went Over in 11 of 17 games a season ago. Expect his consistency to help the Raiders score frequently. The Raiders scored 20 or more in the last 4 games of the 2023 season as well. Back OVER 39.5 (-115).
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