Raiders vs. Chargers Prediction: AFC West Rivals Collide with Hopes of Going 2-0

• In Week 1, Justin Herbert completed passes to eight different receivers, totaling 318 yards and three touchdowns.

• Geno Smith threw for 362 yards in a Week 1 win over the Patriots.

• Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty was held to 38 rushing yards on 19 carries in his NFL debut last week.

Week 2 of the NFL season concludes with a doubleheader on Monday night. The second game of that doubleheader features the Las Vegas Raiders hosting the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC West rivalry game. Both teams won their season opener and would love to get to 2-0 to stay a game ahead of the Chiefs. While the Chargers won both head-to-head meetings last year, that was after four consecutive seasons of the Raiders and Chargers splitting the season series. This has been an evenly-matched rivalry in recent years, with the home team winning seven of the last eight games.

Despite both teams getting off to a 1-0 start last week, neither is favored to win the AFC West. The Raiders, in particular, remain a long shot, so getting to 2-0 under new coach Pete Carroll would be huge for them. Of course, the Chargers have aspirations that go beyond merely making the playoffs or winning the division. In fact, they aren’t that far from the top in the latest Super Bowl odds, which means they will expect to beat a team like the Raiders, even on the road.

Raiders vs. Chargers Odds

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Raiders vs Chargers My Pick

• My Pick: Chargers -3.5 (-105) at Caesars Sportsbook

The Chargers may have had the most impressive win in the NFL during Week 1. While they may have benefited from a neutral setting, beating the Chiefs is no small feat regardless of the setting. They showcased a balanced offense and a stingy defense, both of which should carry over into Week 2.

Even against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, Justin Herbert looked like the better quarterback in last week’s win. He threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns. Even in a winning effort in which they only allowed 13 points to the Patriots, the Las Vegas defense gave up a lot of yards in the passing game, doing so against a far less experienced and accomplished quarterback. That bodes well for Herbert and the Chargers this week.

If the Las Vegas defense doesn’t play better, it puts a lot of pressure on Geno Smith to keep pace. But with Brock Bowers, the team’s top receiving target, battling an injury, and rookie running back Ashton Jeanty getting off to a sluggish start, the Raiders aren’t likely to match the Chargers in a high-scoring affair, allowing Los Angeles to win comfortably and cover.

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Raiders vs Chargers Prediction

Las Vegas Raiders Preview

The reunion between Pete Carroll and Geno Smith got off to a good start in Week 1. While one can debate if beating the Patriots counts as a quality win, there’s nothing wrong with Smith passing for 362 yards, averaging over 10 yards per pass. Despite some valid questions about the supporting cast around him, it was a promising start to the season for Smith and the Las Vegas offense.

That being said, there are some lingering questions, especially along the offensive line. That unit didn’t do rookie running back Ashton Jeanty any favors. On 19 carries, Jeanty managed just 38 rushing yards against the Patriots. Meanwhile, Smith took four sacks, which caused the Las Vegas offense to stall at times. There is also some concern over the status of Brock Bowers, who left last week’s game with a knee injury. The Raiders have a largely unproven contingent of wide receivers, so it’s potentially a big problem if Bowers is unavailable or playing hurt.

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Los Angeles Chargers Preview

The season opener went far better than the Chargers could have hoped or expected. Herbert almost had too many options in the passing game, doing a great job of spreading the ball around. The trio of Keenen Allen, Quentin Johnston, and Ladd McConkey all had at least five catches, but no more than seven. Despite not having his best game, rookie running back Omarion Hampton got 17 touches to add even more balance to the Los Angeles offense.

On the other side of the ball, there’s no shame in holding the Chiefs to just two touchdowns and three field goals. Most teams would take that any week against Kansas City’s offense. Despite giving up a few explosive plays, failing to create a turnover, and allowing the Chiefs to convert on all three of their fourth-down attempts, it was a solid overall performance by the Los Angeles defense against one of the toughest opponents the Chargers will face all year.

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Raiders vs. Chargers Injuries

Las Vegas Raiders

• Brock Bowers (TE)  - Questionable

• Elandon Roberts (LB) - Questionable

Los Angeles Chargers

• Rashawn Slater (OL) - IR

• Denzel Perryman (LB) - Questionable

Raiders vs. Chargers: Best Promos and Sportsbooks

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How to Watch Raiders vs. Chargers

• When: Monday, September 15, 10:00 PM

• Where: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada

• How to Watch: ESPN