The Chargers experienced what could be their final game in San Diego last weekend and blew past the Dolphins in an emotional afternoon. Now it’s the Raiders turn, as they play in what could be the last game in Oakland. Both teams are looking to tap into the riches of the Los Angeles market and the hated rivals may even share a new home venue. All that will be decided later.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Oakland Raiders -5.5
San Diego Chargers +5.5
Over/Under 47
ODDS ANALYSIS
Oakland has struggled mightily at home and has one chance remaining to match last season’s win total at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders lost 30-20 to Green Bay Sunday as 4-point dogs and are 0-3 SU and ATS in their last three at home and 2-5 SU and ATS overall. The total dropped a half-point to 46.5 soon after opening.
KEY INJURIES
Melvin Gordon – The Chargers’ rookie running back suffered a knee injury in the second quarter Sunday and did not return. He’s questionable to play Thursday. Donald Brown had 12 carries for 90 yards after Gordon left the game and is in line for more snaps.
Kyle Emanuel – Left Sunday’s game with an apparent concussion and didn’t return. Jerry Attaochu will likely see more reps at linebacker for San Diego if Emanuel isn’t ready.
Mario Edwards – Departed the Green Bay game with a neck injury sustained in the first quarter and didn’t return. His availability for Thursday is in question. Benson Mayowa is next on the depth chart at defensive end for the Raiders.
KEY MISMATCH
San Diego’s defense has shown signs of improvement as the season wore on, but they couldn’t be as bad as they were during the early part of the season. The Chargers held their last three opponents below 20 points after failing to do so once in the first 11 contests. So there is hope. But the group was torched by the Raiders when the team’s played in Week 7. The main culprit then was receiver Amari Cooper, who has had a tremendous rookie campaign. The No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft became the first Oakland receiver since 2005 to have a 1,000-yard season. He had two touchdown catches and 120 receiving yards against Green Bay. Cooper is the first Oakland rookie to have a 1,000-yard season and is the fourth NFL player to have a 1,000-yard receiving season at the age of 21 or younger. Cooper had five receptions on six targets for 133 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown when the Raiders pummeled San Diego 37-29 on Oct. 25.
KEY STAT
42.5 – Oakland’s third-down conversion percentage. The Raiders are the seventh-best team in the NFL at extending drives and face San Diego’s defense which ranks 21st in stopping opponents on third down.
BETTING ANGLE
The Raiders learned how to win on the road this season. Perhaps next year they’ll discover a winning formula at home, wherever that may be. Oakland fell to 2-5 SU and ATS at O.co Coliseum with a 30-20 home defeat to the Packers on Sunday. The loss slammed the door on Oakland’s slim playoff hopes. The best the Raiders will be able to finish is 8-8. They haven’t had a winning record since 2002 and that streak will continue into 2016. Most teams that win on the road make the playoffs, but the Raiders, for some reason, haven’t played well at home. There is speculation that the Raiders will move to Los Angeles in the offseason, meaning this could be the end of an era – again. San Diego just experienced the same thing last weekend and walloped Miami. Will the Raiders put on a show for the faithful in what could be their final game in Oakland?
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
The Chargers had an emotional afternoon Sunday, playing what could be their last game at Qualcomm. Now it’s the Raiders, who are also in the running for relocation to the Los Angeles area. San Diego came out and destroyed Miami, playing with energy we didn’t see in the previous two games, when the Chargers managed to score just three points each time. I expect the same kind of results from the Raiders, who will be experiencing the same sentiment against their long-time rivals. And after such a draining game when the Bolts left everything on the field, a letdown is expected. Oakland had a wonderful performance when they nailed the Chargers in Week 7 and present a tough matchup with its vertical game. Look for the Raiders to match their emotion with that of San Diego’s last week and get the cover win.
Oakland 27, San Diego 20
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