4:25 pm
September 11

Raiders @ Chargers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Las Vegas Raiders (0-0)

@ Los Angeles Chargers (0-0)

 

Current odds:

Las Vegas Raiders: (+158)

Los Angeles Chargers: (-190)

 

• The spread for the game is Los Angeles by 3.5 points.

• McDaniels, in his second stint as head coach after previously running the Denver Broncos, takes the reins of a remade Raiders roster thickened with a series of splashy moves, the most significant being acquiring All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams. Though he had to live with failed risks in the season-ending loss to the Raiders all offseason, Brandon Staley went 9-8 in his debut season as head coach in 2021 and his Ted Lasso-level optimism might be warranted. The Chargers’ offseason moves focused on a defense that didn’t generate enough pressure on quarterbacks.

• There was nothing wrong with the Chargers’ offense, which averaged 27.9 points per game in 2021. Quarterback Justin Herbert was second in the NFL with 5,104 passing yards and third in the league with 38 TD passes, but even putting up 60 points in two games against the Raiders last season only was good for a split. Chargers general manager Tom Telesco traded for Bears linebacker Khalil Mack to play the pass-rush spot on the left side of the 3-4 defense opposite Joey Bosa, who had 10.5 sacks last season. The Chargers also paid big money for top cover cornerback J.C. Jackson (Patriots) in free agency, sliding him into a secondary anchored by safety Derwin James.

• The task Sunday is slowing the reunited Fresno State pitch-and-catch tandem of Derek Carr and Adams, who was second in the NFL last season with 123 receptions in what turned out to be his final season with the Packers. McDaniels’ Raiders are also loaded with other new faces while moving forward after a tumultuous 10-7 season that included a playoff appearance, the firing of disgraced coach Jon Gruden and the release of wide receiver Henry Ruggs for his involvement in a fatal car accident.

• Defensive end Chandler Jones was added in free agency and Maxx Crosby signed a nearly $100 million extension in the offseason. Crosby had two sacks in the 2021 finale to help the Raiders hit the postseason. The Chargers have won two of the past three meetings. The Raiders lead the all-time series 66-56-2.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Los Angeles Chargers
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