TNF Chargers vs. Raiders Week 15 odds and predictions
Every week, VSiN will be doing an in-depth dive on the week’s Thursday Night Football game. In Week 15, that game features the Los Angeles Chargers facing the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chargers are coming off a loss to the Denver Broncos last week, and they also lost star quarterback Justin Herbert for the year. Meanwhile, the Raiders are coming off a 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. They’re struggling right now and will be eager to get back in the win column at home. With that out of the way, keep reading for our Chargers vs. Raiders preview, picks and player props.
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MORE: Check out our Week 15 NFL Bet Hub for all of this week’s best bets and content
How To Watch Chargers vs. Raiders
Date: Thursday, December 14
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Channel: PRIME VIDEO (Amazon)
Chargers vs. Raiders Spread
With Herbert out for the season after having undergone surgery to repair a fractured right index finger, the Chargers are in some serious trouble the rest of the way. Herbert wasn’t having one of his best seasons in the pros, but he is surrounded by a wild amount of incompetence in Los Angeles. The Chargers’ running game has mostly been a mess this year, which put all of the pressure on Herbert and the passing game. But weak play from right tackle Trey Pipkins III has meant that Herbert hasn’t had much time to throw. And outside of Keenan Allen, Los Angeles doesn’t have the most reliable receivers in the world. Despite all of that, Herbert did his best to keep the Chargers in games. Without him, things are going to get ugly.
Last week, Easton Stick threw for 179 yards with no touchdowns and no picks in relief duty against a mediocre Broncos defense. He completed just 54.2% of his passes and had a QBR of 37.5. That said, he wasn’t a very strong option under center. Stick will have the benefit of receiving reps with the starters this week, but I just don’t really think he’s a good quarterback. So, I’m expecting him and this entire Los Angeles offense to struggle, especially on a short week. Allen also happens to be out for the Chargers, so this group of pass catchers is abysmal.
The question here is whether Aidan O’Connell and the Raiders can score some points. Las Vegas was shut out by Minnesota last week, and the team has scored only 46 points over the last four weeks. That lack of production is going to make it hard for this team to win games, but the Raiders do have a good matchup this week. The Chargers are just 27th in the league in Defensive DVOA this season, and they struggle with both the pass and the run. So, I expect Las Vegas to find some success on the ground here, even with Josh Jacobs banged up. That’ll then make things a little easier on O’Connell, who has at least done a better job of getting the ball out to Davante Adams lately.
The Raiders are also 3-1-1 against the spread in their last five games, which is a lot better than the Chargers’ 1-4 ATS record in their last five. On top of that, the home team is 5-0 SU and 4-1-1 ATS in the last five meetings between these teams.
Chargers vs. Raiders Total
I typically hate taking the Under in games with totals as low as this one, but how can you sit there and expect points with these two teams? We just watched Las Vegas play a 3-0 game last week, and this is yet another matchup between two teams with uninspiring quarterbacks. So, even in a dome game with perfect conditions, I don’t see either offense lighting it up here. The Raiders should be able to get things going a little more than they did last week, especially on the ground. However, that would result in the clock running and I don’t see many big plays over the top coming from the passing game.
The Under has also hit in four of the last five meetings between these teams. It also happens to be a ridiculous 9-3-1 in the 13 games the Chargers have played this season, and that includes a 4-1-1 record for the Under on the road. And if that’s not enough, the Under is 10-3 in the 13 games the Raiders have played this year.
Chargers vs. Raiders Player Props
Parlay Calculator | Player Prop Analyzer
Austin Ekeler Over 25.5 Receiving Yards (-110 – Play To Over 26.5 Receiving Yards)
Ekeler had five receptions for 49 yards last week, and he has now had at least 32 receiving yards in four of the last seven games he has played. Now, Ekeler will be playing with a quarterback without a ton of experience in this league. So, I’m expecting Stick to check down quite often, as he’ll be eager to get some easy completions. That makes it enticing to play the Over on Ekeler’s receiving yard total, especially considering Stick was looking in the running back’s direction quite often against Denver.
Chargers vs. Raiders Prediction
I would feel better about the Raiders if they turned to Jimmy Garoppolo under center, but I still think they’ll get the job done here. I just don’t think the Chargers will have an easy time scoring, and this is the type of game in which a home team should find a way to get the job done.
Lean: Raiders -3
Head to our Pro Picks page to see how VSiN analysts are betting Chargers vs. Raiders!
