While the league has never seen a Week 18 before, the NFL has also never had a Week 18 game mean so much. When the Las Vegas Raiders host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, the winner will be a playoff team, and the loser will head home for the winter. There is a scenario where both teams could make the playoffs, but only if the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Indianapolis Colts, and the Raiders-Chargers game ended in a tie.
Both teams are sitting at 9-7 in the AFC West. The Raiders have won three in a row, while the Chargers are coming off of a victory as well. As we mentioned earlier, both of these teams could possibly make the playoffs, but it would be a very unlikely scenario. First of all, Jacksonville would have to win. That’s very unlikely to happen. Secondly, the Raiders and Chargers would have to have their game end in a tie. Many have speculated that if Jacksonville were to win in their early game, that the Raiders and Chargers could both take a knee on every down throughout the game, and it would end in a 0-0 tie, and both teams would make the postseason. That being said, it’s time to check our NFL Betting analysis for the upcoming match between the Chargers and Raiders.
NFL Betting Preview for Los Angeles Chargers vs Las Vegas Raiders
Los Angeles Chargers Analysis
Had the Chargers not slipped up and lost to the Houston Texans a few weeks back, they wouldn’t be in this position. The Chargers have had numerous players miss time due to COVID, and yet they’re still in a position to qualify for the postseason.
Justin Herbert has had another tremendous season. Many thought that he might struggle in his sophomore season, but Herbert has gone on to have another great season. If the Chargers’ defense could get their act together, it would be a huge help to Herbert and the offense. Los Angeles has one of the highest-scoring offenses in the league, but they’ve had to score a lot to make up for their poor defense.
Las Vegas Raiders Analysis
Although Derek Carr is one of the most criticized quarterbacks in the league, he always seems to find a way to win games for the Raiders. With a depleted receiving corps, Darren Waller missing multiple games, and a suspect offensive line, Carr has found a way to have the Raiders on the doorstep of the postseason.
The Raiders also have problems stopping their opponents from scoring. Las Vegas does have to play Kansas City and the Chargers twice each season, so it’s understandable that they’re going to give up a lot of points.
Prediction
The Los Angeles Chargers head to the gambling capital of the world as a three-point favorite. In looking at the betting statistics, the numbers don’t favor either team. The Raiders went 7-9 against the spread this season, while the Chargers are 8-8 against the spread.
The gambler in us says to take Justin Herbert. He always seems to rise to the occasion, and the Chargers should have their full arsenal of weapons available against the Raiders. This one will be tight throughout, but we like the Chargers to win 37-31.