by Rod Pearson
Friday, Jan 03, 2025
Game Time: 4:25 pm ET, Sunday, January 5, 2025
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
Where to Watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Chargers -4.5, Raiders +4.5; Over/Under: 41.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Chargers -4.5, Raiders +4.5; Over/Under: 41.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Chargers -4.5, Raiders +4.5; Over/Under: 41.5 points
Season Record
Los Angeles Chargers: 10-6 (2nd place, AFC West)
Las Vegas Raiders: 4-12 (4th place, AFC West)
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Recent Form
Los Angeles Chargers: won their last game on the road against the New England Patriots 40-7.
Las Vegas Raiders: won their last game on the road against the New Orleans Saints 25-10.
Los Angeles Chargers vs Las Vegas Raiders Preview and Analysis
The Chargers are entering this game with a 10-6 record overall and they have a 3-2 record in their divisional games too. They are 5-3 in their home games, 5-3 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They won their last game against the New England Patriots 40-7. Justin Herbert was the starting QB and he completed 26/38 passes for 281 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. J.K. Dobbins led the team in rushing yards with 76 and 1 TD. Ladd McConkey led the receivers with 94 receiving yards on 8 receptions and 2 TDs. Kristian Fulton led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 0 assisted tackles while Derwin James Jr. led the defense in sacks with 2. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.
The Raiders are entering this game with a 4-12 record overall and they have a 0-5 record in their divisional games too. They are 2-5 in their home games, 2-7 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against the New Orleans Saints 25-10. Aidan O'Connell was the starting QB and he completed 20/35 passes for 242 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Ameer Abdullah led the team in rushing yards with 115. Brock Bowers led the receivers with 77 receiving yards on 7 receptions. Robert Spillane led the defense in that game with 4 solo tackles and 4 assisted tackles while Robert Spillane and K'Lavon Chaisson each led the defense in sacks with 1. Thomas Harper and Jack Jones each came away with 1 interception for them in that one.
Chargers vs Raiders Prediction
The current betting odds have the Chargers listed as a 4.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Chargers have looked really good in their games this season with their 10-6 record overall which has them in 2nd place of the AFC West and locked into a Wild Card spot. They have looked really good in the first season of Jim Harbaugh being head coach as he has turned this team completely around. They are still playing for seeding in this game and have a chance to jump the Steelers with a win and a Steelers loss. Meanwhile, the Raiders have looked terrible in their games this season with their 4-12 record overall which has them at the bottom of the AFC West with one of the worst teams in the NFL. They are 0-5 in the division this season and don't have anything left to play for this season. They have still looked good against bad teams in their games lately, winning 2 games in a row now as they are coming off a 25-10 win over the Saints last week, but both of those wins came against bottom feeders while this game will be against a completely different breed. Harbaugh wants to keep his team rolling into the playoffs now that they have some momentum so they are still going to be looking to win this game. Their defense has been really good against bad offenses this season too so they won't need to do much to pull away in this game. The best way to place a bet here is on the Chargers to cover the spread in this game.
Chargers Raiders Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, January 5, 2025 (4:25 pm ET start time) is Chargers 27 Raiders 10.
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NFL Betting Trends
Los Angeles Chargers: 10-4 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 11-4 ATS in all games where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points. 8-3 ATS after allowing 14 points or less last game. 9-5 UNDER as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 12-5 UNDER versus division opponents. 11-6 UNDER vs. bad defensive teams who give up 24 or more points/game.
Las Vegas Raiders: 6-11 1H ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 1-4 1H ATS off a road win. 3-0 UNDER after a win by 14 or more points. 5-1 UNDER after a game with a turnover margin of +2 or better. 8-4 UNDER versus poor rushing defenses - allowing 4.5 rushing yards/carry or more.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Chargers: T. Jefferson (SAF) Injured - Hamstring. J. Scott (P) Injured - Illness. G. Edwards (RB) Out - Ankle. J. Dobbins (RB) Questionable - Knee. T. Pipkins (T) Out - Hip. H. Hurst (TE) Questionable - Illness. E. Molden (CB) Questionable - Knee. O. Ogbonnia (DT) Injured - Pelvis. C. Hart (CB) Injured - Concussion. D. Perryman (LB) Out - Groin. W. Dissly (TE) Questionable - Shoulder.
Las Vegas Raiders: N. Hobbs (CB) Injured - Illness. K. Chaisson (DE) Injured - Foot. D. Laube (RB) Injured - Illness. J. Meredith (G) Out - Ankle. K. Mauga (LB) Injured - Calf. J. Powers-Johnson (OG) Injured - Quadricep.
Notable Quotes
“You talk to them and there's more to do. There's no coach who could have it better than to be coaching these players. Nobody. Maybe the only person would be future us, could have it better than us.” - Jim Harbaugh after his team’s win against the Patriots in their last game.
“These guys didn’t blink, flinch. We got in at 1 o'clock in the morning, got up this morning and rolled.” - Antonio Pierce after his team’s win against the Saints in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Chargers
WR Johnston, Quentin
WR Palmer, Joshua
WR McConkey, Ladd
TE Dissly, Will
QB Herbert, Justin
RB Dobbins, J.K.
FB Matlock, Scott
Las Vegas Raiders
WR Tucker, Tre
WR Meyers, Jakobi
TE Bowers, Brock
TE Mayer, Michael
QB O'Connell, Aidan
RB Abdullah, Ameer
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Chargers
Passing: J. Herbert (3524)
Rushing: J. Dobbins (842)
Receiving: L. McConkey (1054)
Touchdowns: J. Dobbins (9)
Las Vegas Raiders
Passing: G. Minshew (2013)
Rushing: A. Mattison (400)
Receiving: B. Bowers (1144)
Touchdowns: A. Mattison (5)
Coaches:
Los Angeles Chargers: Jim Harbaugh (1st season)
Las Vegas Raiders: Antonio Pierce (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
