Week 15 of the NFL season is going to begin on Thursday Night Football with a battle of AFC West Division teams. The Los Angeles Chargers are set to visit the Las Vegas Raiders, and it has been a disappointing season for both of these teams.
The Chargers come into this game with a record of just 5-8, and at some point this team is going to have to make some serious changes. Los Angeles has dropped four of their last five games, and they were supposed to be a playoff contender.
Las Vegas recently picked up two wins in a row, but they followed that up by dropping three straight matchups. The Raiders are also just 5-8 on the season, and they have already made a chance at the head coaching position.
The Raiders are slim three-point betting favorites over the Chargers on Thursday Night Football.
Chargers Struggling to Score
The Los Angeles Chargers are scoring just 21.7 points per game this season, and this team was expected to be much better on offense. Quarterback Justin Herbert is now out of the lineup with an injury, and that’s going to make things even harder.
There are some great weapons on this roster for the Chargers, but they are averaging just 96 passing yards per game. Los Angeles will be trying to run in this game, but they are facing a solid defense.
The Chargers do have the ability to get after the quarterback, but the defense appears to be tired of trying to carry the entire weight this season.
Raiders Can Get Stops
The Las Vegas Raiders are averaging just 15.5 points per game this season, but the defense has been playing some great football. Las Vegas is giving up just 19.9 points per game, and that unit will need to come up with some huge plays in this game.
Defensive end Maxx Crosby has 13.5 sacks so far this season, and he will be looking to tee off on a rookie quarterback in this game. Las Vegas just held the Minnesota Vikings to three points in Week 14, and that will be a key in this matchup.
Aidan O’Connell has taken over the quarterback position for the Raiders, but he has thrown seven interceptions. Look for the Raiders to try to establish the run, and they have a star at that position with Josh Jacobs.
Raiders Roll on Thursday Night Football
Since this is going to be a battle of backup quarterbacks, you are going to want to focus on the defenses in this game. Los Angeles appears to have given up on the season, while players on the Las Vegas roster still have plenty to play for.
The Raiders are able to run the football effectively, and that is going to be a major key in this battle on Thursday night. Los Angeles is going to realize that life without Herbert is rough as they just won’t be able to score.
Bet on the Las Vegas Raiders to not only win this game, but to also cover the three-point spread.
