The Los Angeles Chargers head to Las Vegas on Sunday to wrap up the NFL regular season in a Week 18 AFC West battle. This is a unique game where both teams’ postseason fates are decided, but there’s still plenty on the line. They’ll kick off from Allegiant Stadium at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS. Let’s take a look at this
Chargers-Raiders preview and predictions.
The Chargers are locked into the playoffs after their win over the New England Patriots last week. They are currently the sixth seed in the AFC but could move up to the fifth seed if they win and the Steelers beat the Bengals on Saturday night. Jim Harbaugh is still quiet on whether the Chargers will play their starters, or rest them.
For the Raiders, their playoff hopes have been out the window for a while. Now, it’s Antonio Pierce coaching for his job, and many players playing for their next job. The Raiders are winners of their last two games after a 10-game losing streak.
Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders Preview and Predictions Video
Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders Preview and Predictions
Brock Bowers Over 77.5 Receiving Yards (-110)
The books are scared to give us a Bowers reception total this week. Bowers holds the rookie record for receptions in a season but is just four receptions ahead of Malik Nabers, who’s hot on his tail. Bowers has been a key piece of this Raiders offense all season, and the team doesn’t want him to lose that record in Week 18.
At this time we can’t bet on receptions, but that’s okay. The fact they think he’s going to get so many means he’s also going to rack up the yards. Bowers has crossed the 77-yard mark in seven games this season and has been a favorite target of every Raiders quarterback. The fact he could be playing the Chargers backups for all, or at least part of the game is an added bonus.
Las Vegas Raiders +4.5 (-110)
This was the hardest game of the weekend for me to pick. You have two try-hard coaches who generally go balls to the wall. The Chargers could easily play all their starters and come out to win this game. If I thought that was the case, I’d look harder at the Chargers.
But with Harbaugh playing coy, I don’t think they play the entire game and Antonio Pierce can get the troops rallied as he’s shown over the last few weeks. The Raiders are at home and getting points, Maybe the Chargers hold on and win, but the Raiders cover.
