Raiders vs. Chargers Point Spread: NFL Week 1 Odds, Prediction
The Chargers return to action with lots to prove after losing eight of their final nine games to finish at the bottom of the division standings last season with a 5-12 record. The Raiders open the 2024 campaign in rebuild mode after posting a losing record and missing the playoffs for a second straight year. Those woes continued during the preseason, as the Raiders struggled to contain opposing offences while going winless in three August contests.
With Justin Herbert returning to lead the offence after enduring an injury-plagued 2023 season, the Chargers lead the way as 3-point home favourites on the NFL Week 1 odds. The Raiders trail as +135 NFL moneyline underdogs, and the total is listed at 40.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
These two teams split a pair of games last season, with the Chargers tallying a 24-17 home win while favoured by 6.5 points. Overall, Los Angeles has taken four of seven from the Raiders including three straight wins on home turf, and have limited Las Vegas to just 16.7 points per game in those home victories. With points coming at a premium for the road team when these rivals meet, the UNDER has gone 4-2 over their past six dates, with the total topping 42 just once in six all-time matchups at SoFi Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders
It is another season and another change under center for the Raiders, who are expected to hand the ball to journeyman Gardner Minshew for Sunday afternoon’s season opener. Minshew made the move to Sin City after enjoying a resurgence in Indianapolis last season, taking over the starter’s reins following an early-season injury to prized rookie Anthony Richardson. The colourful 28-year-old connected on 15 scoring passes in 17 game appearances while tossing for a career-high 3305 yards. However, it was feast or famine for Minshew, who tossed for multiple scores on four occasions but failed to find the end zone in four of his final seven outings, and sports short -175 odds on the NFL player props to toss for UNDER 1.5 touchdowns.
Los Angeles Chargers
Can Justin Herbert recapture the magic of his first two NFL seasons, when he threw for a combined 69 touchdowns, and avoid the injury woes that have become a constant source of concern for the Chargers faithful? Expectations are tempered, with Herbert listed as a -150 bet to throw UNDER 1.5 touchdowns on Sunday. A lot will depend on how quickly Herbert can develop chemistry with a new-look receiving corps featuring Joshua Palmer, Ladd McConkey, and Quentin Johnson. While Johnson and Palmer were used in supporting roles, McConkey will be making his NFL debut after being selected 34th overall at this year’s NFL Draft. However, if the O-line can give Herbert adequate time, the Chargers should be able to do enough to get back in the win column for the first time since early December.
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