Chargers @ Raiders Prediction

By: Grant Poarch

Monday Night Football really screwed us last week, didn’t it? We were 8-5 on the money line and 7-6 on the spread going into the games. After the Titans’ and Giants’ upset wins, that brought my overall record on the week to 8-7 on the money line while bringing down the spread record to 7-8. With that, my overall record on the season is 126-82 on the money line and 107-101 on the spread. While both of those are still positive, we are looking for more than that. This week, it is time to cook as now there are not meaningful college football games to focus on so all eyes are on the league. With that said, fade me at your own risk and tail me at your inevitable benefit. The odds listed are provided by DraftKings.

12/14 (TNF): Los Angeles Chargers @ Las Vegas Raiders (-3, O/U 34), 8:15PM EST, Prime Video

            If Justin Herbert hadn’t gotten injured last week and been declared out for the season, this game would look a lot different. I can’t bring myself to take the Chargers. They are a disaster and for no good reason. Now, though, they have a reason. Even still, before Herbert’s season ending injury, the Chargers are incompetent. Brandon Staley’s seat is incredibly hot and it should be. With a healthy Herbert and a decent roster, this should be a playoff team. However, that isn’t the case time and time again.

            As it relates to this game, it is going to be very ugly to watch. The Chargers are forced to play Easton stick while the Raiders are starting Aidan O’Connell. O’Connell lead the Raiders to a whopping zero points against the Vikings in a 3-0 loss. That sentence probably hurt your eyes to read. Well, typing it out was just as bad.

            I don’t normally predict totals but the under has to be the play here. This is going to be a sloppy game with two quarterbacks that have no business starting in the NFL much less a primetime game.

            With that said, I see Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs bouncing back as the Chargers’ defense isn’t great and they are due to do well after last week. Besides, it can’t get worse for the Raiders than it did a week ago. So, who better to play against in a bounce back scenario than a Herbert-less Chargers team?

Prediction: Las Vegas wins, Las Vegas covers -3