Las Vegas Raiders vs LA Chargers Prediction NFL Picks 9/8/24

In this article we will formulate a Las Vegas Raiders vs LA Chargers prediction for this NFL game on Sunday, September 8th at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week one matchup.

Las Vegas Raiders Betting Preview

The Las Vegas Raiders went 8-9 last year and they finished tied for second in the AFC West with the Broncos. Las Vegas started the season by going 1-3 through their first four games, but they did win four of the next six games to bring their record to 5-5. The Raiders stumbled in the three games after that point, but did finish the season by winning three of their last four games. Las Vegas scored 19.5 points per game last year, while they allowed 19.5 points against per game. The Raiders did have to use Aidan O’Connell as their starting quarterback for 10 games, so an 8-9 finish is really not too bad. 

Las Vegas went 0-2-1 in the preseason, which began with a 24-23 loss against Minnesota in the opener. The Raiders also lost their second game by a score of 27-12 against Dallas and they tied San Francisco in the finale at 24 all. Las Vegas will roll with Gardner Minshew at quarterback for this game and while he has bounced around in his career, he is usually very entertaining to watch. The Raiders do have solid skill position players with Adams, Meyers, Bowers, and White, so the offense should be solid. Defensively, Las Vegas was pretty good in 2023 and should be slightly better this year. 

LA Chargers Betting Preview

The Los Angeles Chargers were 5-12 last season and they finished last in the AFC West standings. The Chargers started the season with a 4-4 record, but they lost eight of their last nine games, including a 63-21 loss against the Raiders. LA did lose quarterback Justin Herbert, so they had to use Easton Stick for about a quarter of the season. The Chargers offense averaged 20.4 points per game last year, while the defense allowed 23.4 points against per game. 

Los Angeles went 1-2 in the preseason, which started with a 16-3 loss against Seattle in their first game. The Chargers lost to the Rams by a score of 13-9 in their second game, but they did beat Dallas by a score of 26-19 in the finale. Los Angeles will once again have Justin Herbert under center, but he is nursing an injury right now and is questionable for this game. The Chargers brought in Gus Edwards and they are going to try and be a much more physical team this season. I don’t love the LA wide receiver room, but I do have faith in Herbert, so the passing game should be ok. 

Why the Raiders will cover

• The Chargers have lost each of their last six games played on the West Coast.
• The Raiders have won four of their last five season openers as underdogs against AFC opponents.
• The Raiders have covered the spread in seven of their last eight Week 1 road games.
• The Chargers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games against AFC West opponents.
• The Raiders have won the first half in three of their last four games against AFC opponents.
• The Chargers have lost the first quarter in three of their last four games as home favorites against AFC West opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Chargers’ last six games as home favorites against the Raiders have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Eight of the Raiders’ last nine games as road underdogs against the Chargers have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Four of the last five games between teams from the same division have gone UNDER the total points line.

Los Angeles Chargers Player Prop Facts

• Gus Edwards has scored at least one touchdown in five of his last six regular season appearances with his team as a home favorite.
• Justin Herbert has thrown two or more touchdowns in three of the Chargers’ last four home games against the Raiders.
• Justin Herbert has recorded 279+ passing yards in each of the Chargers’ last four September games against AFC West opponents.
• Gus Edwards has recorded 48+ rushing yards in four of his last five regular season appearances against AFC opponents.
• Josh Palmer has recorded 24+ receiving yards in each of his last six appearances on the West Coast.
• J.K. Dobbins has recorded 63+ rushing and receiving yards in six of his last eight Sunday home appearances.
• Easton Stick has recorded 23+ completions in each of the Chargers’ last four games against AFC opponents.
• Justin Herbert recorded the most completions in a single game last season (40 vs Vikings, Week 3).

Las Vegas Raiders Player Prop Facts

• Davante Adams has scored a touchdown in four of his last five September road appearances.
• Gardner Minshew II has thrown two touchdowns in each of his three previous appearances with his team as a road underdog against AFC West opponents.
• Davante Adams has recorded 71+ receiving yards in each of his last six appearances in California.
• Alexander Mattison has recorded 24+ rushing yards in each of his last nine Sunday road appearances.
• Aidan O’Connell has recorded 238+ passing yards in four of the Raiders’ last five games against AFC West opponents.
• Alexander Mattison has recorded 39+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last four September appearances.
• Maxx Crosby ranked 2nd in the NFL in quarterback hurries (20) last season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Chargers ranked 4th in the NFL in punt return yards per game (22.6) last season.
• The Chargers ranked 29th in the NFL in time of possession per game (28:56) last season.
• The Raiders ranked 30th in the NFL in time of possession per game (28:34) last season.
• The Raiders ranked T29th in the NFL in Q3 points per game (2.7) last season.

Las Vegas Raiders vs LA Chargers Prediction 

These two teams come into this season looking to get back over the .500 mark after losing seasons in 2023, and this is a huge game in the AFC West for both sides. The Raiders have the better wide receivers in this matchup, but Herbert is clearly the better quarterback, if healthy. I do like the idea of LA trying to run the ball more, but can Harbaugh change the identity of this team in one offseason? Ultimately, I think Herbert will make enough plays to get the win, but I think the Raiders will keep it close. Take Las Vegas with the points here. 

David Racey's Pick: Raiders +3