Two teams with a lot of changes and question marks clash when the Raiders visit the Chargers on Sunday. Here’s our preview, which includes a prediction, using the best NFL odds from the top sportsbooks.
NFL Pick: Raiders +3 (-110) at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Raiders vs. Chargers
Sunday, September 08, 2024 – 04:05 PM ET at SoFi Stadium
A New Era for the Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders finished last season with an 8-9 record, marking their second straight year missing the playoffs. After a shaky start, losing five of their first eight games, the Raiders decided to part ways with head coach Josh McDaniels. Linebackers coach Antonio Pierce stepped in as interim head coach.
Under Pierce’s leadership, the Raiders finished the season strong, going 5-4. The defense was especially impressive, allowing the fewest points per game in the NFL during that stretch (16 points per game). As a result, Pierce was promoted to full-time head coach, with Patrick Graham continuing as the defensive coordinator. On offense, the Raiders hired Luke Getsy as their new offensive coordinator, following his stint with the Chicago Bears.
Looking ahead to 2024, the Raiders will lean on their defensive prowess. Offensively, they’ll rely on quarterback Gardner Minshew, who started 13 games for the Indianapolis Colts last season. Minshew threw for 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 2023. His main target will be Davante Adams, who had 103 receptions for 1,144 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games last season.
The team will also adjust to the loss of running back Josh Jacobs, who signed with the Green Bay Packers after five years in Las Vegas. Zamir White and Alexander Mattison are expected to pick up the slack in the backfield. Mattison ran for 700 yards on 180 carries (3.9 yards per carry) in 16 games (13 starts) with the Minnesota Vikings last season.
Will Herbert and Bosa Stay Healthy?
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers are heading into a new chapter with Jim Harbaugh at the helm as head coach. Fresh off a national championship win with Michigan, Harbaugh takes over a Chargers team that struggled last season, finishing 5-12.
Brandon Staley was fired after a humiliating 63-21 loss to the Raiders on December 14. Injuries plagued the Chargers, as star quarterback Justin Herbert missed the final four games due to a finger injury. Herbert, who also battled a plantar fascia issue in training camp, finished the season with 3,134 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 13 games, completing 65.1% of his passes.
Herbert’s health will be key for the Chargers, especially with major changes on offense. Running back Austin Ekeler is now with Washington, and wide receiver Keenan Allen has joined the Chicago Bears. In response, the Chargers brought in running backs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins, while bolstering the offensive line with center Bradley Bozeman and right tackle Joe Alt. Harbaugh, with Greg Roman as his offensive coordinator, may focus more on the ground game.
Defensively, the Chargers are counting on Joey Bosa to stay healthy and Khalil Mack to continue his dominance. Mack had a stellar 2023 season with 17 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles in 17 games. Jesse Minter, who worked with Harbaugh at Michigan, is the new defensive coordinator.
NFL Pick
As the season kicks off, the Chargers face uncertainty, especially on offense, while the Raiders’ defense looks like one of the best in the league. A potentially hostile crowd at SoFi Stadium, likely filled with Raiders fans, adds even more pressure on the Chargers as they look to start fresh.
NFL Pick: Raiders +3 (-110) at Bet365
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