When the Chargers (5-8) travel to face the Raiders (5-8) to open Week 15 of the 2023 NFL regular season on "Thursday Night Football" (8:15 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video), there are once again not many points expected with another pair of shaky QBs starting.
Justin Herbert (finger) is out for the season for the Chargers, placed on injured reserve after getting hurt early vs. the Broncos in Week 14. Easton Stick will start for him. Meanwhile, rookie Aidan O'Connell is expected to get the nod again for the Raiders despite the fact they scored no points last week.
Which team will win to stay barely alive in the AFC wild-card race and also put the other team in last place in the division? Here's a betting breakdown for Los Angeles vs. Las VegasTNF:
Chargers vs. Raiders odds, spread, over/under
(All odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook)
Spread: Chargers +3 (-110) | Raiders -3 (-110)
Over/Under: OVER 34 (-110) | UNDER 34 (-110)
Moneyline: Chargers +130 | Raiders -158
The Chargers are underdogs on the road on a short week thanks to their key injuries. The Raiders are hard to trust as favorites, however, given their recent struggles at home. The total reflects worries about both QBs amid run-heavy game plans from both sides.
MORE THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Top props | Start-sit
Should you bet the Raiders against the spread vs. Chargers?
The Chargers' run defense is starting to crack right along with its issues against the pass all season long. Rookie Aidan O'Connell struggled with former Raider Khalil Mack and the pass rush back in Week 4, but he didn't have as much starting experience. O'Connell won't suddenly light it up, but his key receivers Davante Adams (illness) and Jakobi Meyers have favorable matchups here, and the Raiders can still get going on the ground with Zamir White set to lead the committee over an ailing Josh Jacobs (quad).
The Raiders will try to not overexpose their front seven vs. Austin Ekeler and try to set up having Maxx Crosby and the pass rush tee off while building a nice lead. The Chargers will just have a hard time generating much offense with Justin Herbert (finger) and Keenan Allen (heel) banged up and not playing.
TNF INJURY UPDATES: Jacobs | Adams
Our Pick: Raiders -3 (-110)
Should you bet the Chargers-Raiders OVER?
The Patriots-Steelers game shocked everyone last Thursday, as it became a relative scoring duel between Bailey Zappe and Mitchell Trubisky. We don't expect another surprise this Thursday, though. The Chargers' defense has played better of late as Brandon Staley tries to salvage his job, and the Raiders will also take advantage of Crosby and others pressuring Stick.
Our Pick: UNDER 34 (-110)
Final score prediction: Raiders 20, Chargers 13.
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