Written By: Evan Perkins
The Las Vegas Raiders aim to kick off their season strong with a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Saturday, September 8, at 4:05 PM ET. The Chargers are favored in this NFL betting opportunity, with a point spread of -3.0 (-110).
The Raiders went 8-9 last year and tied for second in the AFC West with the Denver Broncos. Despite having a 6-3 record at home, they struggled in road games.
They hired Antonio Pierce as their head coach after he had stepped in as the interim coach last season. His record against the spread was excellent, going 7-1-1, the best compared to anyone last season. However, it is entirely on him now to perform at a high level, and he must prove he can succeed.
The offense has shaken up a few things, especially with Zamir White and Alexander Mattison as their running backs. They are also starting Gardner Minshew, who has been relatively consistent throughout his career without being too flashy or terrible.
The Raiders scored 19.5 points per game last year and ranked 23rd in the league. They also ranked ninth in the league in allowing 19.5 points per game, but they have a solid defensive line to contend.
The Chargers were last in the division, going 5-12, and several games back from the Raiders. They were also 2-7 at home, so they must get on the right path to improve these records.
The first step was hiring Jim Harbaugh, who won a National Championship with the Michigan Wolverines last year. He aims to win a Super Bowl after losing while coaching the San Francisco 49ers in the 2012 season.
If they want any success, Justin Herbert will need to reach a higher level here. While he has the talent, his record has not translated well. They have added some younger talent in a variety of offensive positions that look bright for the future.
The Chargers accumulated 20.4 points a game last year, which ranked them 21st in the league. Their defense allowed 23.4 points a game and ranked 24th. With changes all around the franchise, they have an opportunity to improve upon all of their stats.
MyBookie has you set for NFL betting odds in the Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers matchup. Current odds show the Chargers as 3.0-point favorites at home, with market insights suggesting they have a 60.3 percent chance of winning outright.
The new-look Chargers will likely make an excellent first impression. Their defense should be aggressive in blitzing, and the offense will be run-heavy, too.
