As is traditionally the case, the last edition of Thursday Night Football of the season isn't a game which really has any bearing on the playoff picture whatsoever. Both the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders are preparing for next season already, but both feel like they've got a lot of blocks to build upon for 2016.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
San Diego Chargers +5.5
Oakland Raiders -5.5
Over/Under 47
ODDS ANALYSIS
It isn't all that often that you see Oakland favored in a divisional game. In fact, the last time the Raiders were laying points against anyone from the AFC West was over three years ago against Kansas City at home in 2012.
However, all that comes to an end on Thursday when the Raiders are giving 5.5 to the Chargers. Live bettors need to remember that Oakland hasn't played well as a favorite this year though, going just 1-3 SU and ATS, losing both games played here at home.
The total in this game opened at 47 but has already dropped a full point to 46 in the first four hours or so of betting lines being open.
WHEN THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS HAVE THE BALL
Give the Chargers a lot of credit for finding some offense last week against the Dolphins. They were held out of the end zone by both the Broncos and Chiefs prior to that, but the ball got into the hands of Danny Woodhead a ton, four of which went for touchdowns.
Still, the skill players for San Diego are horrid right now if you take out Woodhead. Melvin Gordon suffered a knee injury against Miami last week and didn't return, and one has to wonder if that ends his very disappointing rookie season, one which still hasn’t seen him score a touchdown.
That leaves Donald Brown to be the featured ball carrier, and though he did a nice job last week in relief, he isn't the type of back who can be counted upon with regularity.
That said, even with the ground game a mess and all of his best wide receivers hurt, Philip Rivers is still a gamer. Yes, he was picked off twice against the Dolphins, but live bettors were the beneficiaries of his three touchdown passes as well. Rivers doesn't care what San Diego's record is at this point in the year. This is a man who only knows playing to win, and it wasn't his fault that the Bolts were beaten 37-29 by the Raiders in San Diego in the middle of the season.
WHEN THE OAKLAND RAIDERS HAVE THE BALL
We just love the grit the Raiders have shown of late. They had really disappointing first halves in consecutive games against Green Bay and Denver, but even though both teams had them outclassed, they continued to fight all the way to the finish in both games.
That said, we're a little concerned about Derek Carr right now. The second year man from Fresno State has completed less than 50 percent of his passes in consecutive games, and he has five picks against six TDs in his last three outings.
Amari Cooper did have a whale of a game against Green Bay, albeit in a losing effort, though NFL live bettors need to know if he has another game like he had last Sunday, this offense is going to be in a lot better shape. When Cooper disappears, this offense tends to fall apart as well.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The Week 16 duel between the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders will go down Thursday, December 24, 2015 at 8:25 p.m. ET at the O.co Coliseum. The game will be televised live on the NFL Network.
