While the Raiders and Chargers may be sharing a stadium in the future, they currently share a strong dislike for each other. The AFC West rivals continue their series that began in the old American Football League 55 years ago. Even though the Raiders are coming off a bye, it will be tough for them to stop the league’s top-ranked passing offense.
ODDS
San Diego opened as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 47. The Chargers were favored in all three home games and are just 1-2 ATS at Qualcomm. They did cover last week as 10.5-point dogs in Green Bay but are just 2-4 ATS overall. The line was wagered to -4 while the total held firm.
KEY INJURIES
Justin Ellis – The Raiders returned from their bye week in pretty good health. However, one continuing problem is the ankle of their starting defensive tackle. Ellis missed three games with the injury and didn’t practice early in the week. If he doesn’t improve, C.J. Wilson would likely get the start. The Raiders also are without defensive end Justin Tuck, who was placed on injured reserve after tearing his pectoral against Denver.
Eric Weddle – Suffered a groin injury toward the end of last week’s game in Green Bay and could barely walk after the game. He’s listed as questionable for Sunday. Starting strong safety Jahleel Addae also had to leave the game with a back issue, leaving the Chargers with only two healthy safeties in Jimmy Wilson and Darrell Stuckey.
KEY MISMATCH
The Chargers do few things well on a consistent basis, but throwing the football is tops on that short list. Expect San Diego to attack the Raiders through the air, letting quarterback Phillip Rivers do his thing. He threw for 503 yards last week and leads the NFL in passing yards, completions and attempts. Despite not having a run game, the Chargers were able to hog the ball for 33 minutes last week against the Packers. With an inconsistent defense, the smart thing for San Diego is to again hold onto the football, keeping the defense off the field. The run game has been ineffective so Rivers will use Danny Woodhead out of the backfield and safety valve tight end Antonio Gates in short to mid-range routes where the Raiders have been susceptible this season. The short passing game is an extended version of running plays for San Diego and allows the Chargers to move the football and the chains.
KEY STAT
-4 – San Diego’s turnover margin. Oakland is even in turnover margin, but had five giveaways in losing consecutive games before the bye.
BETTING ANGLE
Melvin Gordon is looking forward to Sunday. San Diego’s rookie running back was benched in the team’s gut-wrenching loss at Green Bay last week and is eager to prove to everyone he can take care of the football. Getting benched was doubly tough for Gordon, who grew up in Kenosha and played at the University of Wisconsin. He was greeted rudely in his homecoming. Now the Chargers first-round pick needs to prove he can run with the ball, too. He should be helped by the return of several starters to the offensive line. The left side gets tackle King Dunlap and guard Orlando Franklin back after they each missed the last three games. Center Chris Watt returned to practice in a limited role. Gordon has yet to score his first NFL touchdown, in part because the line has been in such flux.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The euphoria over a 2-1 start was quickly squelched by a two-game losing streak before Oakland’s bye week. With the extra time the Raiders are a healthy group and take on the Chargers, who are searching for answers after two final play defeats in their past two games. But there is hope with the Raiders coming to town. San Diego hasn’t lost at home to Oakland since 2011 and has won six of the last seven overall from their neighbors to the north. Rivers is slinging the ball around the yard, which is surprising considering the Chargers have no run game and the offensive line has been a wreck. The latter is being addressed with starters Dunlap, Franklin and Watt all returning to practice, and their presence in the lineup should help the former. Gordon is still waiting for his breakout game, and with a O-line that will have more starters playing than sitting, he gets it against the Raiders.
San Diego 27, Oakland 21
The NFL online odds for this Sunday game were first available at BookMaker Sportsbook. The Chargers were pegged as 5.5-point chalk while the total opened at 47. Gamble on the game between every commercial break with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen on the next play or how many points will be scored in the next quarter. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
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