TNF Chargers vs. Raiders Point Spread: NFL Week 15 Odds, Prediction
The Los Angeles Chargers are playing out the string as they visit the AFC West rival Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday to kick off Week 15 around the NFL. The Raiders opened as 3-point favourites on the NFL odds with a total of 54.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Not too long ago, this would have been San Diego Chargers vs. Oakland Raiders. This is historic in that it’s the first Thursday night game in Las Vegas. The Raiders are 1-1 in primetime games in their new Allegiant Stadium home, upsetting the Saints in Week 2 and losing in the final seconds in Week 11 vs. Kansas City.
While Jon Gruden’s Raiders are still battling for an AFC Wild-Card spot, Anthony Lynn’s Chargers will finish with a losing record for a second straight season and there’s essentially zero chance that Lynn will be the coach in 2021. It will be a very coveted job simply with the L.A. factor, playing in that glorious now SoFi Stadium and the fact the Chargers have a franchise quarterback in place in Justin Herbert, who is going to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The Raiders are looking for their second straight season sweep of the Chargers. In Week 9, Las Vegas won a thriller 31-26. Frankly, the Bolts largely dominated statistically and it appeared Herbert hit tight end Donald Parham on the winning touchdown with one second left, but after review it was determined that Parham didn’t catch the ball. Herbert threw for 326 yards and two scores. Derek Carr had two TD passes for the Raiders, who also rushed for 160 yards and two touchdowns.
The road team is 9-3 against the spread in the past 12 meetings.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers tend to find inventive ways to lose close games. They sure tried to give one away Sunday vs. the visiting Atlanta Falcons. The Bolts left three points on the field at the end of the first half due to absolutely unforgivable clock management by the coaching staff, and then Herbert was picked off in a 17-all game at the Atlanta 45 with less than a minute left. However, the Los Angeles defence responded with an interception of its own a few plays later and it led to the winning 43-yard field goal by Michael Badgley as time expired. No. 2 receiver Mike Williams left with a back injury and probably won’t play this week. The Chargers are 1-4 ATS in their past five after a win.
Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas is a Hail Mary from being on a four-game losing streak. That miracle win came on December 6 at the Jets to save the Raiders’ playoff hopes, but those took a huge hit Sunday with a 44-27 home loss to Indianapolis. The Colts gashed that Vegas defence for 212 yards rushing and Gruden fired coordinator Paul Guenther afterward. In three seasons with Guenther as defensive coordinator, the Raiders ranked last in the NFL in points per game (28.4). All six of the Raiders’ penalties Sunday were against the defence. Las Vegas named first-year defensive line coach Rod Marinelli as the interim coordinator to finish the season. The Raiders are 3-7 ATS in their past 10 following an ATS loss.
LAC
LV