NFL
Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Alright, NFL fans, it’s about to go down. The Raiders and Chargers are squaring off Sunday at Allegiant Stadium (1:25 p.m. PT), and this matchup has everything—fire, history, and a whole lotta stakes.
Las Vegas Raiders v Los Angeles Chargers//Getty Images
The Raiders are coming in hot, riding a two-game win streak. Rookie sensation Brock Bowers? Absolute beast. The guy shattered the rookie tight end yardage record and snagged the single-game reception record in last week’s 25-10 win over the Saints. Safe to say, he’s the Raiders’ secret weapon.
But don’t sleep on the Chargers. At 10-6, they’re playoff-bound and looking sharp after stomping the Patriots 40-7. Jim Harbaugh’s first season at the helm? Not too shabby. Now, they’re aiming to spoil the Raiders’ home crowd party.
These two have history—remember their 2021 overtime thriller? Raiders win, Chargers heartbroken. Yeah, this game’s got all the vibes. Ready to bet? Check top NFL betting platforms for the latest odds.
Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers at (Las Vegas) match details
Kickoff Time: 1:25 PM PT
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
Last meeting: Las Vegas Raiders 10-22 Los Angeles Chargers (Sept. 9, 2024 | NFL)
Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers
It’s the season finale, and the stakes are as high as the Las Vegas skyline. The Chargers (10-6) roll into Allegiant Stadium fresh off a dominant 40-7 win over the Patriots, eyeing a crucial victory to secure better playoff seeding. Meanwhile, the Raiders, riding a rare two-game win streak, are looking to finish their disappointing season with a bang.
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability
Los Angeles Chargers: 8/13 (1.62) - 61% chance to win
Las Vegas Raiders: 7/5 (2.40) - 39% chance to win
*Odds courtesy of Stake, subject to change
Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers Head-to-Head Record
Oh, these two love to mix it up! In their latest game (12/15/23), the Raiders blew out the Chargers 63-21—talk about a statement win. But before that, L.A. got the upper hand in a couple of clashes, including a 10-22 victory back in December 2021. It's been a bit of a back-and-forth lately, so you know Sunday’s showdown is gonna be lit. Will the Chargers bounce back, or can the Raiders keep the heat rolling? Grab your popcorn.
Last Five Meetings (NFL)
26/12/21: Las Vegas Raiders 10-22 Los Angeles Chargers
15/12/23: Las Vegas Raiders 63-21 Los Angeles Chargers
02/10/23: Las Vegas Raiders 24-17 Los Angeles Chargers
05/12/22: Las Vegas Raiders 27-12 Los Angeles Chargers
12/09/22: Las Vegas Raiders 19-24 Los Angeles Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders: Current Form
Los Angeles Raiders: Current Form – WWLLL
The Raiders have been on a chaotic rollercoaster this season—win one, lose one, rinse and repeat. With a 4-12 record, they’ve snagged wins against the Saints and Jaguars, but consistency? Yeah, that’s still missing. With nothing left to lose, they’re just out here throwing punches until the final whistle.
Gardner Minshew has been doing his thing at QB, slinging passes with a 66.3% completion rate and over 2,000 yards under his belt. He’s getting plenty of help from Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah, who’ve been racking up yards and touchdowns like it’s a hobby. Oh, and rookie Brock Bowers? Dude’s turning heads with clutch downfield plays.
On defense, Maxx Crosby is straight-up hunting QBs with 7.5 sacks, while Robert Spillane’s out here mopping up with 142 tackles. Even the secondary’s stepping up, proving they’ve got some fight left in them.
Meyers, Mattison, and Tucker are key guys to watch—they’ve been doing their thing, making big plays week in and week out. The Raiders may be out of the playoff picture, but they’re playing for pride and to finish the season strong.
Key Players to Watch
- Gardner Minshew: The QB’s been steady, but if the Raiders are gonna close out strong, Minshew’s gotta step up and deliver those clutch moments.
- Maxx Crosby: This guy’s been everywhere on defense, causing havoc. With 7.5 sacks, Crosby’s a force the Chargers won’t want to deal with.
- Brock Bowers: The rookie’s been a serious weapon downfield. Bowers has a knack for big plays and is always a threat to bust open the game.
The Raiders might not be chasing a playoff spot, but they’re out here making waves—don’t sleep on them just yet!
Home Team News
The Raiders rolled into New Orleans with their travel plans thrown off, landing at 1 a.m. and still managed to pull off a 25-10 win. But here’s the kicker—cornerback Nate Hobbs, who was hospitalized with pneumonia just days earlier, came back to play like a warrior. He logged 41 snaps and racked up four tackles. Talk about toughness.
On the injury front, Hobbs wasn’t the only concern, but his return was a huge boost. The Raiders’ win streak is a bit of a mixed blessing, though. At 4-12, they’ve slipped to the No. 8 spot in the 2025 NFL Draft, putting a damper on any hopes of grabbing a top QB. Another win, especially over the Chargers, might just mess with those draft plans even more. The smart play might be to snag a solid mid-round QB and let Aidan O’Connell keep battling for that starting job.
Fans might be side-eyeing the timing of these wins, given last season’s late surge didn’t really pay off, but there's some fight in this team. O’Connell threw two touchdowns, Abdullah rushed for 115 yards, and the defense stepped up when needed. If the Raiders can keep this energy heading into next season, maybe they’ll finally break out of this frustrating cycle. Let’s see if they can turn this late-season spark into something real.
Los Angeles Chargers: Current Form
Los Angeles Chargers: Current Form – WWLLW
The Chargers have been a rollercoaster lately—winning 3 of their last 5 games (WWLLW). It’s been a bit of a mixed bag, but they’ve still got firepower. Justin Herbert's been the QB mastermind, racking up over 3,500 yards, 21 TDs, and keeping it clean with just 3 INTs. Meanwhile, J.K. Dobbins has been doing his thing on the ground, with 842 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns.
And let’s not forget the wideouts. Ladd McConkey’s been a go-to guy with 1,054 yards, and Quentin Johnston’s also been putting in work with 525 yards and 8 TDs. All in all, this offense is stacked.
Defensively, the Chargers are no slouches either. Daiyan Henley’s been all over the field with 142 tackles, and Tuli Tuipolotu’s been bringing the heat with 8.5 sacks. The defense has 46 sacks and 14 interceptions combined. If they keep that pressure on, they’re a real threat.
So, while they’ve had some bumps in the road, the Chargers are still in the hunt, and if they can hit their stride, they’re definitely a team to keep an eye on.
Key Players to Watch
- Justin Herbert
Herbert’s got the arm and the swag to put up big numbers. If he keeps slinging it, this offense is gonna be tough to stop. - J.K. Dobbins
Dobbins is the X-factor in the backfield. With 9 touchdowns, he’s been a TD machine. When he gets going, the whole team feeds off his energy. - Khalil Mack
Mack’s been a beast on defense, with 6 sacks so far. He’s the guy who can change the game with one big play.
Chargers are in the mix—now they just need to keep things rolling.
Away Team News
The Chargers came into Saturday's game against the Patriots like a freight train, cruising to a 40-7 victory and securing a playoff spot. It was their first win by 30+ points since 2019, a major confidence booster heading into the final week against the Raiders. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for LA. Safety Elijah Molden was carted off with a left shin injury late in the game, raising serious concerns.
The injury was non-contact, and although Molden had been battling a right knee issue, no one saw this one coming. Unfortunately, reports now confirm the worst: Molden suffered a broken fibula, effectively ending his season. That’s a major blow to a Chargers defense that’s relied heavily on his contributions in the secondary.
Molden’s injury complicates things for LA’s safety room, which has already been hit hard by injuries this season. Alohi Gilman has been on IR since the Ravens loss, and veteran Tony Jefferson, who came out of retirement, has been thrust into a bigger role. The Chargers might need to pair Jefferson with Eddie Jackson, whom they recently signed to the practice squad after his release by the Ravens. Jackson has experience and played 339 snaps for Baltimore this year, but this is a tough situation to navigate with the playoffs on the line.
Now, LA will need to adjust quickly. The playoffs are on the horizon, but their secondary just got thinner. Let’s see how they adapt and finish strong.
Suggested Bets
Chargers to Win (Moneyline): Los Angeles has crushed teams with poor offenses this season (6-0 SU, all wins by 10+ points). With the Raiders’ offense struggling despite recent wins, the Chargers are a safe moneyline bet. Odds: 8/13 with Stake.
Under 40.5 Total Points: Both defenses have shined recently. The Raiders’ defense is giving up just 13 PPG over their last three, while the Chargers look locked in after holding New England to seven. Expect a low-scoring grind. Odds: 10/11 with Betway.
Chargers -6.5 Spread: Herbert is 64.4% ATS as a favorite, and the Raiders’ offense lacks firepower. With a playoff spot to solidify, the Chargers should win comfortably. Odds: 5/6 with Bet365.
With solid predictions and numbers backing both sides, betting on over/under and spread outcomes could offer great value this weekend. Bet wisely!
Value Bets
Alright, here we go. The Raiders are on a roll after taking down the Saints and Jags, but can they keep the vibes going against the Chargers? Let’s dive into some value bets that'll make you look like a genius this weekend.
Value Bet 1: Jakobi Meyers – Anytime TD Scorer: Meyers has been all over the end zone lately, scoring in 7 of the Raiders' last 8 games as favorites. With his red-zone chops, he’s a no-brainer to find paydirt again in this one. If you're betting on a TD, Meyers is your guy—these odds are sweet.
Value Bet 2: Alexander Mattison – Over 54.5 Rushing Yards: Mattison’s been consistently racking up 54+ rushing yards in 3 of his last 4 games as a road favorite. The Chargers’ defense isn’t exactly a brick wall (allowing 119.7 rushing yards per game), so expect Mattison to cruise past 54.5 yards with ease.
Value Bet 3: Brock Bowers – Over 0.5 20+ Yard Receiving TDs: Bowers has been lighting it up, ranking 3rd in the NFL for 20+ yard receiving TDs. With the Chargers likely focused on shutting down other weapons, Bowers could break loose for another deep score. The odds here are too good to ignore.
The clock’s ticking, and the stakes are high. Jump on these bets before kickoff — you’ll thank us later.
Top Scorers/Players for Both Teams
Alright, it’s showdown time! The Raiders and Chargers are gearing up to clash, and both squads are rolling in with some serious star power. Here’s who you got to keep your eyes on:
Las Vegas Raiders: Gardner Minshew’s been slinging darts all season, hitting 66.3% of his throws for 2,013 yards and 9 touchdowns. But he’s got backup—Alexander Mattison’s been tearing it up, dropping 54+ rushing yards in 3 of his last 4 games as a road favorite. Jakobi Meyers? Dude’s a touchdown machine, hitting paydirt in 7 of his last 8 games as a favorite. And let’s not sleep on Brock Bowers, the deep-ball assassin, sitting 3rd in the league for 20+ yard receiving touchdowns (4). On D, Maxx Crosby’s wreaking havoc with 7.5 sacks, while Robert Spillane’s been a tackling machine, stacking 142 stops. These guys are bringing the heat, no doubt about it.
Los Angeles Chargers: On the other side, Justin Herbert is doing his thing with 3,524 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and just 3 picks—straight baller. His go-to guys? Ladd McConkey, who’s been torching defenses with 1,054 yards and 7 touchdowns, plus Josh Palmer and Quentin Johnston keep the offense humming. In the backfield, J.K. Dobbins is grinding out 842 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns. But let’s not forget the defense: Daiyan Henley (142 tackles) and Khalil Mack (6 sacks) are wrecking offenses, while Tuli Tuipolotu (8.5 sacks) is hunting down QBs.
This game’s gonna be a straight-up battle. Minshew and his squad are looking to cause chaos, but Herbert and his weapons are on a mission. Get ready for a high-energy, must-watch showdown. Let’s go!
Prediction: Chargers to Win
Alright, it’s go time! The Chargers are sitting pretty at 10-6 and ready to make moves in the playoff race. A win here keeps things easy, and with the Steelers potentially fumbling their shot, the Bolts could jump to the fifth seed. NFL betting sites are backing L.A. to handle the Raiders, and honestly, they should.
Fresh off a 40-point beatdown of the Patriots, the Chargers’ offense is firing on all cylinders. Their defense? Back in the groove, locking down New England to just 7 points after some shaky outings. Herbert’s got this (dude’s 29-21-1 ATS as a favorite), and the Bolts crush weak offenses—6-0 against teams ranked 23rd or worse in offensive DVOA.
The Raiders? They’ve been scrappy, winning two straight and holding teams to just 13 points per game lately. But with an offense ranked 30th in DVOA, it’s hard to see them keeping up.
Final Score Prediction: Raiders 19, Chargers 29
Heena Singh is your go-to NFL writer with a knack for turning the gridiron’s biggest moments into must-read stories. She brings a unique mix of sharp insights and quirky vibes, breaking down every touchdown, fumble, and post-game drama like a pro. A die-hard fan of the Kansas City Chiefs (and yes, Patrick Mahomes is her guy), Heena knows how to keep football fans hooked.