Oakland Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers Best Bets

Quick Tips:

• Bet Chargers -5.5 over Raiders with 888Sport.
• Bet Raiders-Chargers over 54.5 with 888Sport.
• Bet Raiders-Chargers over 60 at +185 with SugarHouse.

Oakland Storylines

These Oakland Raiders are not boring. All four of the Raiders’ games have been intriguing and in question late. In Week 4, it was different. The Raiders won. Oakland found a way to give Jon Gruden his first victory in his return to the NFL after a 10-year absence and his first win as the coach of the Raiders since 2001. It wasn’t easy.

Oakland had to outlast the feisty Cleveland Browns, 45-42, in overtime. Oakland was trailing 42-34 with less than two minutes to go. Yes, the Raiders benefited from some questionable officials’ calls, but that happens in the NFL. Credit to Gruden and his team for taking advantage of the breaks and fighting.

Quarterback Derek Carr came alive and ended up with 437 passing yards. Oakland receiver Amari Cooper and tight end Jared Cook each had more than 100 yards receiving and running back Marshawn Lynch, who looks like he’s 25 not 32, also had 100-plus yards.

It was the first time Oakland had two receivers with more than 100 yards and a running back with more than 100 yards in 21 years, the season before Gruden took over the Silver and Black at the age of 34.

The difference in this game and the Raiders’ first three games was glaring. Oakland finished drives instead of rolling down the field and not scoring. Going into the game, the Raiders were the No. 6 ranked offense in the NFL, but they were somehow the fifth lowest in points scored with 52.

Against Cleveland, which boasts a strong defense, Oakland ran up and down the field and found the end zone. After averaging 17 points for three games, the Raiders almost tripled that amount in Week 4.

It helped Oakland that it had excellent starting field position in Week 4 as they ran 92 plays. It’s average starting yard line was the 34.9-yard line, For the first three weeks, Oakland’s starting yardage line was at 22.3-yard line, which was the worst in the NFL.

Los Angeles Storylines

The Chargers don’t like the AFC contender we all expected them to be, but they’re fighting. The Chargers are 2-2 and is still capable of making a big run. This team finished 9-7 last season after starting 0-4.

Things are going better this year and Philip Rivers and the offense is getting going. The defense misses Joey Bosa. But first-round pick, safety Derwin James is an early contender for Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Injury Updates

Oakland third-round pick Brandon Parker will make his first start at right tackle for Donald Penn, who is on the injured reserve with a groin injury.

The Chargers are dealing with life without Bosa. The star has missed the entire season and is expected to miss another month, at least. They really miss him, even though this is still a good defense.

Raiders at Chargers Betting Tips and Picks

Here are some things for NFL betting fans to consider in this matchup.

Chargers Against the Spread

The Chargers are not at full strength (are they ever?). But the light is starting to come on. They are more talented than Oakland and the Chargers swept the Raiders last season. It is also worth noting that there will be many Oakland fans in L.A. for this game.

Still, just thinking the Chargers are ready to explode and Oakland is still work in progress. Bet the Chargers at -5.5 with 888Sport.

Raiders-Chargers Over/Under

Oakland proved it can score with its 45 points against the Browns. And the Chargers have been giving up points. The Oakland defense is a big-play sieve. Rivers knows how to exploit it. I see a lot of points. Bet over 54.5 with 888Sport.

That said, I can see this game being a real shootout. Both teams can pass and create big plays. Both defenses have allowed big plays. This is a game that could have a lot of series for both offenses and it can easily get over 60 points. I would definitely consider over 60 at +185 with SugarHouse.