Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers Odds and Game Pick (2020)

The Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers used to play in different cities not too long ago. In 2016, the Raiders were in Oakland and the Chargers were in San Diego. Now these clubs exist in different cities, and this is the first meeting between the teams in which the Raiders are based in Las Vegas. The Raiders are second in the AFC West with a comfortable lead over the Chargers and the Denver Broncos, but the Chargers are a lot more talented than their 2-5 record suggests. We'll give you more details on the Chargers and why a 2-5 team is a slight but real favorite over the 4-3 Raiders.

View consensus odds from all major sportsbooks for the Chargers vs. Raiders >>

Details

• Opening Line: Chargers -2.5
• Last Meeting: Raiders 24 vs. Chargers 17 (12/22/19)

Overview

The Raiders are 4-3 and the Chargers are 2-5, but the Bolts opened as a favorite and are still a slight favorite, although the Raiders might become a 1-point favorite by the time this game kicks off on Sunday afternoon. Why are the Chargers still (albeit barely) favored? They play good teams close. They get leads in games on a regular basis. At some point, the reasoning goes, the Chargers aren't going to blow a lead. However, for the time being, coach Anthony Lynn's team does keep throwing away big scoreboard advantages. It's rather remarkable.

The Los Angeles Chargers are the kings of the blown lead this NFL season.

The Chargers led the Chiefs 20-9 and got shut out in the fourth quarter and overtime, losing 23-20. The Chargers led the Bucs 24-7 in the third quarter but lost 38-31. The Chargers led the Saints 20-3 in the third quarter but lost 30-27 in overtime. This past Sunday, the Chargers led the Denver Broncos 24-3 in the third quarter but gave up 21 points in the fourth quarter and lost on the last play of the game with no time left. Los Angeles allowed a tying touchdown with zero seconds left on the clock. The Broncos then kicked the extra point for a walk-off victory. The Chargers keep squandering big performances from star rookie quarterback Justin Herbert. A 30-point total should be enough to win, but the Chargers' defense keeps letting games slip through its fingers.

The Chargers are favored, though, because everyone sees the capability they have to put good teams 10 to 17 points down. If the Chargers learn how to protect leads, they will have a chance to be really good.

The Raiders are 4-3 after winning on the road in Cleveland. The Raiders limited the Browns to just six points and have moved to 3-1 straight-up on the road this season. The Raiders are a tougher and more physical team than they were a year ago. Jon Gruden has made real improvements with this group.

Trends

• Las Vegas is 6-3 ATS in its last nine games as an underdog.
• The total has hit the over in six of Las Vegas' last seven games.
• The Chargers are 4-2 ATS in their last six games.

Bottom Line

The Chargers might get another lead, but the Raiders are playing good football and have been tested by the top teams in the NFL this season, win or lose: the Buccaneers, the Bills, the Saints, and the Chiefs. Las Vegas can control the line of scrimmage and prevent the Chargers from getting a foothold in this game.

Prediction: Raiders +1, Over 51.5

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Dave Golokhov is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Dave, check out his archive and follow him @davegolokhov.