The Los Angeles Chargers will try to build momentum for next year behind rookie quarterback Justin Herbert when they visit the Las Vegas Raiders for Thursday Night Football. Herbert is one of the favorites for Offensive Rookie of the Year and the Chargers (4-9) are in the top 10 in total yards on both sides of the ball. However, they are being outscored by five points per game. The Raiders (7-6) are fighting to stay in the NFL playoff picture with an offense that can score but a defense that has struggled to stop opponents.
Kickoff from Allegiant Stadium is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET. William Hill Sportsbook lists Las Vegas as a 3.5-point favorite in its latest Chargers vs. Raiders odds, while the over-under for total points scored is 51.5. Before making any Raiders vs. Chargers picks or NFL predictions, check out what SportsLine's resident Raiders expert, Hank Goldberg, has to say.
A beloved national treasure, Hammer enters Week 15 on an extended heater: Over the final 10 weeks of last season and through 13 weeks this season, he is an incredible 48-27 on his NFL best bets, an amazing 64 percent cash rate.
Hammer, who has inside sources throughout the league, knows the Raiders especially well. In fact, he is a stunning 11-4 in his last 15 picks overall involving Las Vegas.
Just last week, the handicapper was not sold on Vegas against the Colts and advised laying the 2.5 points. The result? The Colts ran all over the Raiders and embarrassed them 44-27. Anyone who has followed Hammer's advice has cashed in huge.
This is the same handicapper who enjoyed 15 winning seasons in his 17-year ESPN run. In 2017, Hammer competed against 10 top handicappers in the Las Vegas Review-Journal's NFL Challenge and beat them all, finishing 50-29-6 on NFL picks against-the-spread.
Now, Goldberg has analyzed Chargers vs. Raiders from every possible angle. You can head to SportsLine to see the picks. Here are the NFL betting lines and trends for Raiders vs. Chargers:
- Chargers vs. Raiders spread: Las Vegas -3.5
- Chargers vs. Raiders over-under: 51.5
- Chargers vs. Raiders money line: Los Angeles +165, Las Vegas -185
- LA: RB Austin Ekeler is averaging 114.3 total yards in the three games since his return from injury
- LV: TE Darren Waller has 20 receptions for 275 yards and two TDs over the past two games
Why the Raiders can cover
Las Vegas is 11-5 against the spread in division games since Jon Gruden took over in 2018, and the coach knows how to get the most out of Carr. The seventh-year pro has thrown for 3,343 yards and 24 TDs. Tight end Darren Waller is fifth in the league with 84 catches and leads the team with 817 yards. He has seven receiving TDs, tied with receiver Nelson Agholor (16.7 yards per catch) for most on the team.
Josh Jacobs carries the load in the backfield, with 1,031 total yards and nine scores. Defensively, Maxx Crosby (6.5 sacks) provides pressure up front, while linebackers Nicholas Morrow and Nick Kwiatkowski have combined for 138 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions.
Why the Chargers can cover
The road team is 9-3 against the spread in the last 12 meetings, and seven of the past 10 have been one-score games. The defense allows 337 total yards (ninth in NFL) and 217.1 through the air (seventh), while ends Joey Bosa (7.5 sacks) and Uchenna Nwosu (four) can get after quarterbacks. Cornerback Michael Davis has three interceptions.
The Chargers are 4-1 against the spread in their last five meetings in Las Vegas, and Herbert leads the NFL's fourth-best passing offense. He has thrown for 3,467 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Herbert has valuable outlets in running back Austin Ekeler (41 catches) and tight end Hunter Henry (55) and faces a Vegas defense that ranks 25th in the NFL in both total (384.2) and passing yards (256.1). Wideout Keenan Allen, who is active despite a hamstring injury, is one of the best in the league, ranking second with 99 catches.
How to make Chargers vs. Raiders picks
Goldberg has analyzed this matchup from all sides and is leaning Under on the total. He also has discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He's only sharing it here.
So who wins Chargers vs. Raiders on Thursday Night Football? And what critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the Raiders vs. Chargers spread you should be all over Thursday, all from the expert who is a 11-4 on picks involving Las Vegas.