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Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) will face the Las Vegas Raiders (4-12) on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. EST, broadcasted on CBS. The Chargers are favored by 4.5 points according to BetMGM. This season, the Chargers have performed well against the spread at 11-5, while the Raiders stand at 7-9. Historically, the Raiders hold an edge in the series, leading 72-57-1. The last time these two teams met, the Chargers emerged victorious, winning 22-10 on September 8 in Inglewood, California.

Last week, the Chargers showcased their strength by defeating the Patriots 40-7, while the Raiders secured a win against the Saints, finishing 25-10. In terms of offensive capabilities, the Chargers rank 23rd overall, with their rushing attack at 18th, passing at 21st, and scoring at 12th. Defensively, they sit at 12th overall, 16th against the run, 8th against the pass, and are the top scoring defense.

On the other hand, the Raiders’ offense is ranked 25th overall, struggling particularly in their rushing game, which is at the bottom at 32nd. Their passing game is more effective, ranked 13th, but they struggle with scoring, sitting at 28th. Defensively, the Raiders are solid, ranking 10th overall, with their pass and rush defenses both in the top 15.

For the Chargers, one player to keep an eye on is WR Ladd McConkey, who has broken franchise rookie records this season with 77 catches and 1,054 receiving yards. He is currently tied with Odell Beckham Jr. for the longest consecutive game streak for a rookie with nine games with at least 50 receiving yards.

On the Raiders side, QB Aidan O’Connell has a crucial chance to prove he should be the starting quarterback going forward. Although he has had some inconsistencies this season, there’s still potential for growth. The Raiders’ recent two-game winning streak adds pressure on the team to consider keeping O’Connell as a starter unless they choose to draft a new quarterback.

A significant matchup to watch will be between Raiders TE Brock Bowers and Chargers S Derwin James Jr. In their previous encounter, James mostly covered Bowers and limited him to just one catch for eight yards. Going into this game, Bowers has set impressive records for rookie tight ends with 108 receptions and 1,144 yards.

There are several key injuries to monitor. Chargers RB Gus Edwards may miss another game due to an ankle issue. Both WRs Ladd McConkey and Josh Palmer were absent from practice and are likely questionable for the matchup. Safety Alohi Gilman, who is on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, has started practicing again. Meanwhile, for the Raiders, RB Ameer Abdullah’s foot issues are to be noted as he provided their first 100-yard rushing game last week. Also, G Jordan Meredith has been out due to an ankle problem for the past two games.

This game is particularly important for the Chargers as they aim for a sweep over the Raiders, something they haven’t achieved since 2018. The teams have alternated wins in their past matchups since 2020, and the Raiders have predominantly been victorious at home, having won the last three games played in Las Vegas.

As for team statistics, the Chargers are looking to secure their first 11-win season since 2018, while head coach Jim Harbaugh has guided his team to the playoffs for four out of five seasons. Notably, QB Justin Herbert has achieved 20,747 passing yards—the most for a player in their first five seasons. He has also recorded three consecutive games with multiple touchdown passes. In the same vein, RB J.K. Dobbins had 135 rushing yards in the earlier encounter.

Furthermore, the Chargers’ WR Quentin Johnston has been consistent with at least five catches in three of his last four games. Not to forget, LB Joey Bosa has maintained a streak of four consecutive games recording a sack against the Raiders. As for the Raiders, Bowers is on the cusp of surpassing Zach Ertz’s record of 116 catches for tight ends in a single season, while their defense has shown capability in applying pressure without star DE Maxx Crosby, maintaining a significant sack rate over recent games.

Lastly, fantasy players may want to pay attention to Chargers WR Derius Davis, who has recently emerged as a red zone target with two consecutive games featuring touchdown receptions. His role could expand as the Chargers strive to secure a postseason spot.
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