Chargers at Raiders: Odds, trends and more
By Brad Weiss
The San Diego Chargers hit the road to take on the Oakland Raiders in Week 5 of the NFL slate. Here are the betting odds and trends for the game.
In a classic AFC West showdown, the San Diego Chargers will head to Oakland to take on the Raiders on Sunday. The Raiders have started the season 3-1, winning three games on the road, while the Chargers have failed to hold leads in three of their four games this season. There are few rivalries like Chargers vs Raiders in the NFL, and Sunday is sure to add another chapter to the book.
Oakland has been on the road the past two games, so it will be nice to return to O.co Coliseum in search of the first home victory of the season. The last time the Raiders won at home was last Christmas Eve, when they defeated these same Chargers 23-20 in overtime. That game was the last home game for Future Hall of Famer Charles Woodson, who retired after last season.
San Diego will come to Oakland looking to finish a game for once, as they have blown fourth quarter leads in all three of their losses. Last week, former Chargers quarterback Drew Brees led his team back in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 unanswered to beat the Bolts, 35-34. It was another deflating loss for head coach Mike McCoy, who could be out of a job if he does not right the ship soon.
The Raiders will head into Sunday’s game as a 3.5 point favorite, as they look to improve their record to 4-1. The over/under is set at 49, so expect plenty of action on the offensive side of the ball in this one.
Odds
Line: OAK (-3.5)
Over/Under: 49
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As for trends, the Chargers head into Sunday’s match-up with the Raiders 6-2 in their last eight games against the spread (ATS). In four of their last five games, the over has been the play, and the team is 7-1 ATS in their last eight road games. However, the Chargers are only 2-5 ATS in their last seven match-ups with Oakland.
The Raiders are 4-1 in their last five games ATS overall, but are 0-5 in their last five home games. In 12 of their last 17 home games, the score has gone over, so the trend here is to go with the over in this one. I would go with Oakland to cover and the score going well over the 49 points.