Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers: Predictions and latest odds for NFL Week 1

Admin September 8, 2024

The latest installment of the AFC West series between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders will help kick off Week 1 of the 2024 season.

Antonio Pierce returns for his first full season as the Raiders head coach after taking over the role on an interim basis for the last nine games of the 2023 season.

Leadership: Coach Jim Harbaugh thinks Chargers QB Justin Herbert could be one of the NFL’s best.

Jim Harbaugh has returned to the NFL and taken over as the Chargers‘ coach following a national championship season at Michigan.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is expected to return to play after being a full participant in practice. He enters his fifth season having dealt with a plantar fascia issue throughout training camp.

Raiders used its first three draft picks on tight end Brock Bowers and a pair of linemen to bolster its offensive front. Pierce tabbed veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew to lead an offense that averaged 19.5 points per game last season.

The Raiders got the best of the Chargers in their last meeting with a 63-21 victory in December. The result led to the dismissal of then-Chargers coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco. Telesco is now the Raiders’ GM.

Here’s what to know about the Chargers-Raiders Week 1 matchup going into Sunday:

Chargers vs. Raiders odds, moneyline, over/under

Los Angeles is favored to start the season with a win, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2024 including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.

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Odds as of Saturday

Spread: Chargers (-3)
Moneyline: Chargers (-160), Raiders (+135)
Over/under: 40

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NFL Week 1 odds, predictions and picks

USA TODAY: Chargers 26, Raiders 21

Tyler Dragon writes, “It’s hard to imagine Jim Harbaugh losing his Chargers head coaching debut to a pesky but inferior Raiders team with journeyman quarterback Gardner Minshew. There will be a lot of Raiders fans at SoFi Stadium (Raiders are still the most popular team in LA even since their departure from the city in 1994), but the Chargers will start the Harbaugh era 1-0. Khalil Mack had six sacks in one game versus his former team last year.”

Desert Sun: Chargers 17, Raiders 10

James Ward writes “This matchup will be a slugfest, but the Chargers have too much talent to lose to the rebuilding Raiders.”

Los Angeles Times: Chargers 24, Raiders 18

Sam Farmer writes “Jim Harbaugh’s team is going to be tougher than last season and will be more balanced with an enhanced ground game. Which receiver will step up? Raiders are OK at quarterback but working out kinks.”

Pro Football Network: Chargers 17, Raiders 13

Kyle Soppe writes “A run-first offense means the Chargers should play at a relatively slow pace offensively. Combine that with them facing a Gardner Minshew II-led Las Vegas Raiders offense, I find myself liking the under for the lowest total of the week.”

Orange County Register: Chargers 24, Raiders 14

Elliott Teaford writes “(The Chargers) need to win to deliver a payback for that 63-21 thumping last season that led to the firings of Staley and GM Tom Telesco the next day. They need it to prove all their offseason work was worthwhile. But they really, really, really need it to prove that their investment in Harbaugh was worth it.”