Raiders at Chargers: Preview, prediction, odds and pick

The Los Angeles Chargers will look to keep their playoff hopes alive on Sunday, as they welcome the Oakland Raiders to the StubHub Center.

The Los Angeles Chargers need to beat the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, and get some help from other teams, but they are still alive in the AFC Playoff race. Los Angeles has played very well as of late under first-year head coach Anthony Lynn, who is changing the culture of the franchise. In years past, Los Angeles was known for losing close games late, but that has not been the case this season.

The Chargers are led by star quarterback Philip Rivers, who continues to put up good numbers this late in his career. On Sunday, the team may be without running back Melvin Gordon, who was injured late in the team’s 14-7 win against the New York Jets in Week 16. That means Rivers is going to have to get it done through the air, which should not be a problem, considering how bad this Raiders secondary can be.

Coming off a 12-4 season, many expected the Raiders to challenge for supremacy in the AFC in 2017. After starting off the season 2-0, the Raiders really hit the skids, and it seems they have digressed on both sides of the ball. Derek Carr was given a huge contract this past offseason, but has not played up his own standards, and the team has followed their leader towards the bottom of the AFC West.

Odds

Line: Los Angeles Chargers (-8.0)

Over/Under: 43.0

The Chargers are the home favorites in this one, as they are giving eight points to their division rival. The over/under is set at 43.0 points, and both of these teams can get it going on offense, so the play might be to take the over on Sunday. This line will change a lot throughout the week, so head on over to OddsShark.com for any changes up until kickoff.

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These two teams always put on a good show when they play each other, but the Chargers are going to be too much for Oakland on Sunday. Rivers is going to make sure his team does their part in earning a playoff spot, but will certainly be scoreboard watching throughout. Los Angeles has enough talent to challenge anybody if they can get into the big dance, but first they need to take care of business against a Raiders team that is really only playing for pride at this point.

Final Score: Chargers 28, Raiders 21