Chargers vs Raiders Odds, Lines, Spread, Picks, and Predictions for Week 18 SNF
- The 2021 NFL regular season wraps up on Sunday Night Football, as the Los Angeles Chargers visit the Las Vegas Raiders as betting favorites
- SNF Betting Record: 7-5 ATS; 10-2 Totals; +8.7 units
- Read on for all the odds and stats ahead of Sunday night’s crucial AFC matchup at Allegiant Stadium
The battle for the final wild card in the AFC will be decided in NFL season finale on Sunday Night Football, as the Los Angeles Chargers visit the Las Vegas Raiders as 3-point road favorites. These two AFC West rivals enter the final weekend deadlocked with identical 9-7 records, with the winner booking their ticket to the postseason and the losers going home.
Los Angeles Chargers vs Las Vegas Raiders Odds
| Team | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Chargers | -3 (-110) | Ov 48.5 (-110) | -164 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | +3 (-110) | Un 48.5 (-110) | +138 |
*Odds at FanDuel as of January 8, 2022.
Start time of Sunday night’s contest is set for 8:20pm ET under the dome at Allegiant Stadium, where weather will not be a factor.
Chargers vs Raiders Line Movement
Sunday night’s matchup marks the second meeting of the season between these divisional rivals. The Chargers marched to a decisive 28-14 victory when the Raiders visited SoFi Stadium back in Week 4, and have now won outright and against the spread win in two straight in head-to-head action. Overall, Los Angeles has won and covered in six of nine clashes with the Raiders since 2016, and has gone 3-1 SU and ATS over that stretch. A lengthy trend towards the UNDER has been diminished in recent outings. The total has reached 50 in three of five head-to-head clashes, with the OVER paying out in each of those contests.
My story for @SBD: NFL Week 18 Odds – Opening Lines and Spreads for All Games https://t.co/XyDVS7KU9Z #Bills #Jets #Chargers #Raiders #NFL
— John Perrotto (@JPerrotto) January 3, 2022
The spread has tilted heavily in the Chargers’ favor since opening with LA pegged as 1.5-point chalk, backed by 86% of sports bettors. The total has also made steady gains and currently sits at 48.5 with the OVER attracting 75% of the betting action.
Los Angeles Chargers Outlook
The Chargers regained control of their playoff destiny with last week’s 34-13 rout of the Denver Broncos. The win put the brakes on a worrisome two-game slide that featured a stunning 41-29 loss to the woeful Houston Texans two weeks ago. LA enjoyed a fast start in last week’s victory, jumping out to a 17-0 lead. The Chargers have also racked up double-digit point totals before the half in each of their past five outings. On Sunday, both teams will be affected by Covid-related absences.
Chargers highlights against the broncos this past weekend 😈😈😈 pic.twitter.com/99xfEqAB4B
— ⚡️Mable ⚡️ (@amablesoreal) January 7, 2022
The Chargers offense has not let up during what has been an otherwise frustrating 3-2 SU run. The team has averaged an impressive 33.8 points per game over that stretch but has mustered just 25 points per game over their past four road dates. Los Angeles also has good health on its side, with linebacker Drue Tranquill the only player listed as questionable.
Justin Herbert’s career on primetime:
Record: 3-1
67% completion %
324.5 yards per game
3.25 touchdowns per game
0.25 interceptions per gameBuilt for the spotlight pic.twitter.com/A8kVlECaq3
— DotsNCuts (@DotsNCuts) November 22, 2021
Last week’s win also proved to be somewhat of a tonic for Justin Herbert. The Chargers pivot was steady while leading the team to four scoring drives of 49 yards or longer. Herbert connected on two scoring passes last weekend, and has tossed for multiple TDs in six of his past seven outings. However, he has also thrown five total interceptions over his past three road dates.
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Las Vegas Raiders Outlook
The Raiders have revived their playoff hopes with three straight wins after seemingly dropping out of playoff contention during a woeful 1-5 SU midseason run. The big difference during the team’s surge has been vastly improved defense. Las Vegas set the stage for Sunday night’s showdown by scoring a field goal with no time left on the clock to hand the Indianapolis Colts a stunning 23-20 upset defeat last weekend. Overall, the Raiders have now limited opponents to just 15.7 points per game during their current tear after surrendering 32.3 points per game during their preceding six-game slide.
WALK-OFF FIELD GOAL FOR THE RAIDERS (+320 ML) 💥pic.twitter.com/VCtMDstFZA
— FOX Bet Sportsbook (@FOXBet) January 2, 2022
However, the Raiders have made only modest gains in point production. Currently sporting a -68 point differential, worst among teams still in the playoff picture entering Week 18, the Raiders have claimed victory by a meagre combined margin of victory of just nine points during their current win streak.
Josh Jacobs was also limited for the #Raiders at practice today after suffering a ribs injury against the Colts. Sounds like he's on track to play Sunday against one of the league's worst run defenses.
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) January 5, 2022
Considering the offensive threat they face from the Chargers, Vegas must raise its offensive game despite facing a rash of injuries. Among the most worrisome injury listed on this week’s report is rusher Josh Jacobs, who is listed as questionable after being limited in practice this by a rib injury. Jacobs leads the Raiders with 740 rushing yards, and opened the scoring last weekend with his eighth TD run of the campaign.
The Pick: Chargers -3 (-110) – 1 unit; OVER 48.5 – 1 unit
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Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
