NFL Week 9 Raiders at Chargers Pick and Betting Preview
Los Angeles Needs a Bounce Back Game
Jon Gruden is back in California heading into the NFL week 9 Raiders at Chargers pick. The Raiders spent from 1995 to 2019 in Oakland before making the move to Las Vegas prior to the 2020 campaign. There’s no time for nostalgia however, because the Raiders are trying to put a win streak together when they visit a beleaguered Chargers squad Sunday afternoon.
The reason the Chargers are down in the dumps is because they let a 24-3 lead late in the 3rd quarter fizzle away last week in a 31-30 loss at Denver. The Raiders meanwhile come into this meeting off a 16-6 win at Cleveland. Oddsmakers don’t know how to list this one, as the Chargers have gone from a -2.5 favorite to a +1 home underdog. The betting total is also 52.5, which at first glance seems on the low side.
Raiders Offense Ready to Shine?
Los Angeles ruined their chances at a 2-game win streak by letting the Broncos climb back into last week’s game. The Denver comeback from a 24-3 deficit gives Las Vegas a lot of optimism coming into the Raiders at Chargers pick. Philip Lindsay had a 55-yard TD run, and Drew Lock threw 3 TDs in the 4th quarter as Los Angeles let the game slip away.
Another reason to expect a big performance from the Las Vegas offense on Sunday is because they are antsy. The game plan had to be cut in half last week in very windy day in Cleveland. The Browns and Raiders combined for just 222 yards passing in that 16-6 Las Vegas win.
The Raiders did scamper for 200+ yards against the Browns, and held the potent Cleveland rushing attack to just 101 yards on 22 carries. Las Vegas is prepared to face the pass-heavy Los Angeles offense after going up against Patrick Mahomes in week 5 and Tom Brady in week 7 after a bye. Las Vegas is also 3-1 on the year, including that 40-32 win at Arrowhead on a month ago.
Chargers Looking For Answers
Los Angeles looked like world beaters for about 40 minutes last week against Denver, unfortunately games are 60 minutes long. That defeat has L.A. facing a lot of questions, especially since they lost despite gaining 210 yards on the ground, and Justin Herbert throwing for 278 yards and 3 TD.
The good news for L.A. is that the Raiders defense isn’t as good as they looked last week in holding the Browns to just six points. Mother Nature was the best defender in the Las Vegas win over Cleveland. Brady was 33/45 for 369 and 4 TD in Tampa Bay’s 45-20 win in Las Vegas in week 7, and Mahomes had 340 and 2 TD despite the Chiefs loss in week 5.
Free Raiders at Chargers Pick
The lean is definitely on Las Vegas in this one, coming back to California playing in a dome after a windy and rainy day in Cleveland last week. the Chargers defense completely crapped out last week, failing to hold on to a 3 TD lead with about 20 minutes to go.
Las Vegas can hurt you on the ground or through the air, but Herbert and the Chargers will also get theirs against the Raiders #25 ranked pass defense.
Las Vegas 34 – Chargers 31
Free Pick: Las Vegas -1
Free Pick: Over 52.5
