The Los Angeles Chargers (6-5) take on the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders (4-7) at Allegiant Stadium in a Week 13 AFC West clash. This game marks the second and final regular-season meeting between the teams, with the Chargers having upended the Raiders by a 24-19 score at SoFi Stadium back in Week 1.
Both teams come in off last-minute Week 12 wins. The Chargers managed to forge a comeback 25-24 victory against the Cardinals on the road, a win they sealed with a two-point conversion following a late touchdown.
The Raiders prevailed in a wild back-and-forth affair with the Seahawks, 40-34, in a game that saw Josh Jacobs eclipse 300 total yards and win it with an 86-yard record-setting touchdown run in overtime.
With the stage set, let’s dive into our Los Angeles vs Las Vegas best bets, predictions, and betting tips for Sunday’s late-season divisional showdown.
Chargers vs Raiders Odds
The Chargers’ status as narrow 1.5-point road favorites on FanDuel Sportsbook as of Tuesday afternoon is a bit eye-catching on the surface, considering the two-win difference in the standings between the clubs and L.A.’s 4-2 road mark.
However, given Las Vegas has been very competitive in all but one loss this season and showed plenty of firepower in the Week 12 win, the spread and projected 50.5-point total are understandable.
Take a look at the best Chargers odds and Raiders odds for the 2022 NFL season.
Chargers vs Raiders Implied Totals
Chargers 26, Raiders 24.5
Oddsmakers unsurprisingly seem to be expecting another high-scoring affair for each of these two teams’ suspect defenses, which can both be attacked with success on the ground and through the air. The Chargers’ number is noteworthy given that Mike Williams (ankle) isn’t guaranteed to be available for the game, although the play of Joshua Palmer and DeAndre Carter in his absence has helped keep L.A.’s offense clicking.
Chargers vs Raiders Pick of the Day
Read more on this Chargers vs Raiders bet below.
Chargers vs Raiders Prediction
Raiders 28, Chargers 27
The Raiders, and Derek Carr specifically, may finally be finding their way in Josh McDaniels‘ offense, now having put together consecutive wins for the first time in his tenure. They’ll be in a good position to stay hot against a team that they should be able to pile up some yards and points against in the Chargers, which have allowed 412.7 total yards per game in the last three contests.
Las Vegas will have its pick of attacking through the air or ground. Carr, Davante Adams, and Mack Hollins should be able to find success against a defense that’s loosened up against the pass recently by allowing 245.7 yards per game in the last three, a notable bump over the 217.4 seasonal figure that they sport in that category.
Meanwhile, Jacobs, who went underused in the Week 1 matchup with just 10 carries and one target, could see heavy work in the passing game as well after posting a 6-for-74 line through the air in Week 12.
However, where this game could very well turn is on the star back’s work on the ground. Following his spectacular 229-yard, two-touchdown showing Sunday, Jacobs now faces a Chargers run defense that’s allowed 162.7 rushing yards per road game and 167.0 per contest in the last three games overall.
Las Vegas’ presumed ability to control the ball for extended periods with Jacobs consistently moving the chains should help the Raiders get over the top, partly by also opening up some downfield opportunities for Adams and Hollins.
None of this is to say the Chargers won’t experience their share of chunk plays, considering the Raiders can’t pressure quarterbacks and are allowing 247 passing yards and 135.8 rushing yards per home contest.
Vegas has also been especially susceptible to receiving production from running backs, as the Raiders have given up the third-most receptions (71), third-most receiving TDs (4), and most receiving yards (599) to the position. That naturally spells big trouble with Austin Ekeler on the opposing side Sunday.
In what should be a fairly wild divisional clash that both teams desperately need wins in, I like the home team to squeak things out with a late score of some sort to cap off a productive second half.
Chargers vs Raiders Bet Tips
Here are a few Chargers vs Raiders betting trends to consider before making your bets:
- The Chargers are 7-4 against the spread, including 5-1 as a road team and 3-1 in division games.
- The Raiders are 5-6 against the spread, including 2-2 as a home team and 3-1 against AFC West foes.
- The Over is 5-5-1 in the Chargers’ games this season and 6-4-1 in the Raiders’ contests.
- The Raiders have just a -11 point differential despite a 4-7 record, as six of their seven defeats have come by a combined 26 points.
Chargers vs Raiders Best Bets
Over 50.5 Points (-110) at FanDuel Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
As explained, these two teams know how to attack each other and have vulnerabilities against both the run and pass. Both squads will likely remain aggressive throughout, and the likely back-and-forth nature of the contest will lead to enough points being scored for the Over to hit.
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2nd Half: Raiders +0.5 (-115) at FanDuel Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
The Raiders’ ability to stay close in games, plus the combination of Vegas’ NFL-high 14.3 points scored per second half per home game and the Chargers’ meager 8.5 points scored per road game after halftime makes this a wager worth considering, especially with Jacobs seemingly getting stronger as games go on.
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Chargers vs Raiders Props
Check out the best Chargers vs Raiders player prop bets this week with our props comparison tool. Click on “Show More Games" below to find the Los Angeles vs Las Vegas game and see all of its prop bets.
