Raiders vs Chargers | NFL Game Predictions & Betting Odds

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vThe Las Vegas Raiders made one of the biggest offseason moves in the NFL by trading for Green Bay Packers All-Pro receiver Davante Adams, and he will make his Vegas debut Sunday in a terrific matchup at the AFC West rival Los Angeles Chargers. Here is a preview of the game for your NFL betting.

How to Bet Raiders at Chargers NFL Odds & TV Info

When: Sunday, 4:25 PM ET
Where: SoFi Stadium
TV: CBS
Radio: http://www.siriusxm.com/nfl
Stream Option: NFLSUNDAYTICKET.TV
Opening NFL Lines: Chargers -3.5 (total 52.5)

Last Season

The teams split last season. The game in Los Angeles was 28-14 in favor of the Chargers. Justin Herbert threw three touchdown passes in the first half as the Chargers rolled to a 21-0 lead and held off something of a Raiders rally led by Derek Carr in the second half. The Raiders were limited to 51 total yards in the first half — 30, passing 21 rushing while picking up only two first downs.

The Raiders lead the all-time regular season series against the Chargers, 66-56-2, dating back to 1960. When the two teams met last season, the split the series with the Chargers winning, 28-14, on Oct. 4 in LA and the Raiders getting the win, 35-32, in overtime on Jan. 9.

Why Bet on Las Vegas?

Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller (hamstring, contract) said he plans to play in Sunday’s game. Waller sat out much of training camp with a hamstring issue and has been looking for a new contract for most of the offseason. Despite his recent absences, the veteran returned to practice after a change in agents last week. When asked about his contract status, Waller said: “Whether it goes one way or it doesn’t, I’ll be playing football.” He dealt with a myriad of injuries last season, but still averaged 60.5 yards per game when healthy.

For months, there have been questions about the Raiders offensive line as it was one of the worst in the NFL in 2021. Little was done to improve the situation this offseason, especially during free agency.

The starters at guard and tackle are former practice squad player Lester Cotton Sr and journeyman Jermaine Eluemunor. Eluemunor in particular will face off against either Joey Bosa or Khalil Mack on every single play of the game. It will help that left tackle Kolton Miller, the Raiders’ best lineman by far, will finally suit up after being held out of the preseason.

“You’ve got to block two of the best rushers and that’s not even including the inside guys who are unbelievable,” QB Derek Carr said of the Chargers’ Mack and Bosa. “That’s a tall task for anybody. Hats off to the Chargers. They’re loaded everywhere, so we’ve got our work cut out for us.”

Carr enters his ninth season in the Silver and Black, this time joined by his college teammate Davante Adams, an All-Pro receiver acquired from the Packers while still having top receiving threats Hunter Renfrow and Waller in the mix. Carr will look to build upon last year’s success where he reached a career high in single-season passing yards with 4,804 (also a franchise high) and was the only QB in the league to rank in the top five in both passing yards and completion percentage (68.4).

This will be the Raiders head coaching debut of former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

Why Bet on Los Angeles?

The Chargers finished last season 9-8, third place in the AFC West, and missed the playoffs after losing three of their final four games, including a 35-32 overtime loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18, when a tie would have sent them to the postseason.

The Chargers have stacked up their defense this offseason by adding cornerback J.C. Jackson and linebacker Kyle Van Noy, trading for a familiar face to the Raiders in Khalil Mack and also locking down safety Derwin James with a four-year contract extension. However, Jackson won’t play Sunday as he underwent ankle surgery Aug. 23. Initially, Coach Brandon Staley said that the estimated timetable for his return to play would be approximately two to four weeks, but it was dependent on how fast the wound would heal.

Jackson, who missed only four games the past four seasons with the Patriots, did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. It would be great news if Jackson is able to play, as the Raiders possess arguably the league’s best wide receivers in Davante Adams. The Chargers will have Michael Davis and Asante Samuel Jr. outside and Bryce Callahan in the slot if Jackson doesn’t go.

Tight end Donald Parham (hamstring) did not practice Thursday. Parham seems unlikely to play after back-to-back DNPs to start the week. If he sat, it would likely shift targets to Gerald Everett and Josh Palmer. Parham missed most of August with the hamstring injury.

Many experts believe QB Justin Herbert will win the NFL MVP Award in his third NFL season. Through the first two seasons of a career, Herbert has the most passing touchdowns (69), passing yards (9,350), completions (839) and total touchdowns (77) in NFL history. He reached 800 career completions by his 31st game, faster than any player in NFL history.