LA Chargers vs Las Vegas Raiders Prediction 9-8-24 NFL Picks

The Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers meet Sunday in NFL week 1 action at M&T Bank Stadium. Here’s an LA Chargers vs Las Vegas Raiders Prediction. This article will include an LA Chargers vs Las Vegas Raiders Pick.

Las Vegas Raiders Betting Preview

The Las Vegas Raiders won 8 Games last season and now enter the first full year under coach Antonio Pierce. The Raiders have made the playoffs just twice since the 2003 season. The Raiders have one of the weaker quarterback situations in Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell, and the running back position took a hit with Josh Jacobs exiting. However, the Raiders wide receiver room that includes Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers can make some things happen and provide some sort of hope on the offensive side of the ball.

Defensively, the Raiders will make their money on this side of the ball. The Raiders’ defensive line that has Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins is one of the best in the league. Tre’von Moehrig is coming off his best season yet at safety, and Jakorian Bennett should be more comfortable with a year under his belt. The Raiders aren’t getting much love in a tough AFC West, and the QB position doesn’t help. However, the Raiders are a playoff threat because of a top-level defense that’s not going to budge. The Raiders will play against the Ravens following this Game.

Los Angeles Chargers Betting Preview

The Los Angeles Chargers are coming off a 5-win season and now begin the Jim Harbaugh era. The Chargers have made the playoffs just three times since the 2010 season. The Chargers have one of the better young quarterbacks in the league Justin Herbert, but there’s not a lot around him with the departures of Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, and Mike Williams.

Top-tier quarterbacks usually can create weapons, but it’s fair to question why they’d put Herbert in this situation. The Chargers should be capitalizing on the moment, and instead are rolling out an extremely weak unit on the offensive side of the ball.

Defensively, the Chargers should have one of the better pass rushes in the NFL with Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. The secondary has two bright spots as well in Asante Samuel Jr. and Derwin James. The question with the Chargers’ defense has depth, particularly in the front seven. Overall, the Chargers have the quarterback and the head coach. Is that enough to survive in a stacked AFC? Time will tell. The Chargers will meet the Panthers after this one.

Why the Las Vegas Raiders will win

• The Chargers have lost each of their last five games as slight favorites (<-3.5 points).
• The Raiders have won four of their last five Week 1 games as underdogs against AFC opponents.
• The Chargers have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 September games as home favorites.
• The Raiders have covered the spread in eight of their last nine road openers as underdogs against AFC opponents.
• The Chargers have lost the first half in each of their last five games in California.
• The Raiders have won the first quarter in four of their last five September games as underdogs against AFC West opponents.
• The Raiders have scored the first touchdown in seven of their last eight games played on the West Coast.

LA Chargers vs Las Vegas Raiders Prediction

This line is kind of surprising. The LA Chargers are breaking in a new coaching staff and have serious questions on the offensive side of the ball outside of Herbert. The Las Vegas Raiders have one of the top defenses in the league and should be able to make life difficult while the Chargers try to figure things out.

Also, the Chargers don’t have much of a home crowd, so I don’t care where this Game is played. The Chargers have outright lost 3 of their last 4 Games when favorites of 3 or more points. I’ll take the free field goal with the Raiders in a Game they could win outright.