Monday Night Football Picks: Raiders vs. Chargers Odds & Predictions

by Nick Galaida (nickgalaida) Last Updated 2021-10-04 22:08:45

Raiders vs. Chargers Odds

The Las Vegas Raiders and the Los Angeles Chargers will conclude Week 4 of the young NFL season on Monday Night Football at SoFi Stadium. In this intra-division showdown, oddsmakers are expecting a tightly contested affair, pricing the Chargers as a field goal favorite on the spread.

Let’s take a deeper look at the matchup to see where bettors can find value at sportsbooks in this contest.

Las Vegas Raiders +3

Through the first three weeks of the NFL season, Derek Carr has looked nothing short of elite. Entering play with an undefeated record, Carr is averaging 401 passing yards per game, completing 64.7 percent of his passes, and has thrown for six touchdowns against only two interceptions. As has been the case throughout his career, Carr continues to execute throws all over the field. Running backs Josh Jacobs and Jalen Richard were both nursing injuries during practice earlier this week, but both players appear likely to suit up on Monday. The offensive line will hope for a better performance in Week 4 after allowing double-digit pressures last week against the Miami Dolphins.

Las Vegas is not the first team that comes to mind when bettors think of great defenses in the NFL, but this unit is better than their reputation. Casey Hayward Jr. and Trayvon Mullen have been one of the best cornerback tandems in football so far this fall. Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue have been phenomenal in the pass rush, though both could admittedly be better against the run. Yet, this group is extremely vulnerable in the middle of the field, and particularly weak downfield against the deep-ball. The Raiders’ linebacker corps will need to be better in coverage tonight if Las Vegas hopes to slow down a strong Chargers offense.

Los Angeles Chargers -3

After pricing Los Angeles as a touchdown underdog in Week 3, oddsmakers were certainly surprised to see the Chargers defeat the Kansas City Chiefs last week. However, in hindsight, we should have all seen the 30-24 Chargers victory as a potential outcome. Quarterback Justin Herbert was sensational, completing 26-of-38 passes for 281 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Austin Ekeler continues to be a fantastic presence in the backfield as both a runner and pass-catcher. Mike Williams and Keenan Allen are arguably the most underrated wide receiver tandem in the NFL right now. Rashawn Slater, Matt Feiler, and Corey Linsley have helped solidify an offensive line that has been problematic for the Chargers in recent years. The Chargers have the potential to have one of the best offensive attacks in football as they continue to grow together throughout the course of the campaign.

Joey Bosa is unquestionably the most recognizable name on this defense, but Derwin James is quickly entering the conversation as the most important member of this group. After an outstanding first two years in the league, James missed all of the 2020 season—a season during which Los Angeles struggled mightily to stop opposing offenses. Early in 2021, the return of James has once again elevated the Chargers into one of the better defensive units in the league. Still, Kyzir White and Kenneth Murray are one of the worst linebacker tandems in football, which keeps this overall group from being elite. It is also worth mentioning that cornerback Chris Harris Jr. and linebacker Kenneth Murray are both dealing with injuries and are legitimately questionable to play against the Raiders. Defensive lineman Justin Jones has already been ruled out.

Monday Night Football Picks: Raiders vs. Chargers

Far from a bold take, bettors should expect this contest to be close all night, with the deciding play or two coming late in the fourth quarter. Entering play, the Raiders are undefeated, but all three of their victories have come against sub-par opponents (we can debate how good the Baltimore Ravens are in a different article). The Chargers are not significantly better than the Raiders, but having home-field advantage in this matchup could be a difference-maker. A small wager on Los Angeles could be a profitable endeavor this evening.

PICK: Chargers -3 (-110)

Prop: Herbert Over/Under 310.5 Yards at DraftKings

In three games this year, Justin Herbert has thrown for 337 yards, 338 yards, and 281 yards against three poor secondary units. While the Las Vegas Raiders are hardly an elite defense, they do have two very capable cornerbacks in Casey Hayward Jr. and Trayvon Mullen. It is also a strong probability that the Los Angeles Chargers are going to place a heavy emphasis on their rushing attack against a Las Vegas defensive line that allowed 133 yards last week to the Miami Dolphins and 189 yards to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. Herbert could have a very good game and still not hit 300 yards passing. Take the under on this prop.

PICK: u310.5 passing yards (-113)

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