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Raiders at Chargers: Game preview, odds, prediction

By Brad Weiss

Oct 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) meets with San Diego Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (99) after the game at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) meets with San Diego Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (99) after the game at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oakland Raiders will look to lock up their first playoff appearance since 2002 on Sunday, as they head to San Diego to take on the rival Chargers.

In a huge AFC West matchup, the Oakland Raiders will head to San Diego to take on the rival Chargers. Both teams are coming off crushing losses in Week 14, as the Raiders lost their grip on the AFC West. San Diego likely saw their playoff chances dashed in their loss to the Carolina Panthers, and will now look to play the role of spoiler the rest of the way.

For a long time, the roles of these two franchises were reversed, as it was usually the Chargers looking to clinch a playoff berth this late in the season. However, it is the Silver and Black who can do that with a win on Sunday, and it would be huge for the health of their team. Quarterback Derek Carr is still fighting a finger injury on his throwing hand, and the team would like nothing more than to get him some rest later in the season.

San Diego will be without Melvin Gordon on Sunday, as he is still battling a hip injury. While he hopes to be back by the end of the season, this week is a no-go, and Kenneth Farrow will likely carry the load for the Bolts in Week 15. Gordon has had a nice sophomore season for San Diego after failing to score a touchdown during his rookie year in 2015.

Odds

Line: Oakland (-3)

Over/Under: 49.5

It has truly been a disappointing season for San Diego, which has played much better than its 5-8 record. Still, the Chargers have a lot of good young pieces in place going forward, especially on the defensive side of the ball. If they can get a top-tier receiver in next April’s draft, they should have the horses in place to make a serious run at the AFC West title in 2017.

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Expect Oakland to get the win on Sunday, clinching their first playoff berth since 2002. This Raiders team is just more talented than the Chargers, and Carr will be looking to bounce back from his worst effort of the season in last Thursday’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The spread is only three points, but I expect the Raiders to win by 10, securing a coveted spot in the AFC playoffs.

Prediction: Raiders 34, Chargers 24

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