Raiders
vs.
Chargers
Week 17
NFL Pick
12/31/17
By: Jason Green
Oakland Raiders (6-9 SU 5-8-2 ATS) vs. L.A. Chargers (8-7 SU 7-7-1 ATS)
The Raiders major disappointing season comes to an end after this Game, but with a win they can avoid 10 losses as well as thwarting the Chargers’ playoff hopes. They have lost three in a row and their offense has really struggled in those Games. Oakland had a chance in the last two Games, but QB Derek Carr made some big late-Game mistakes that cost the team the win. Last season Carr led a solid offense that led them winning the AFC West, but this season they only rank 23rd in the NFL in ppg.
At 5 dimes sportsbook the Chargers are the 9.5-point favorite with a total of 43.
The Chargers lost their first Four Games of the season, but they are still alive after winning five of their last six Games. However, their fate is not in their hands, as they not only have to beat the Raiders, but also have Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens both win their season finales. L.A. is known as Philip Rivers team and while he has guided a good passing attack the D is the strength of the team and on the season they rank 3rd in the league in opponents’ ppg.
Earlier this season in Oakland the Chargers beat the Raiders 17-16 and in the last six Games between these teams the road team has covered the spread every time.
The Raiders were back East in their last Game taking on the Philadelphia Eagles where they lost 19-10. Carr was picked off late with the Game tied and that cost his team the W. Oakland’s D played well in the Game holding Philadelphia to only 216 total yards, but the Raiders did not light it up with 274 total yards and they had a whopping five turnovers while only forcing two of them. Carr only passed for 140 yards and had two INT and only one TD and Marshawn LyNCh rushed for 95 yards, but only averaged 3.8 yards per carry. LyNCh may get a lot of touches in what may be his last Game in Oakland, as the Chargers won last week, but GAve up nearly 200 rushing yards. The Raiders have only won two of their seven road Games on the season.
The Chargers were on the road in their last Game and they beat the New York Jets 14-7 to keep their playoff hopes alive. They out-GAined New York 379 to 295 yards even though they struggled to contain the run. Philip Rivers was 22/40 for 290 yards with a TD and not only was he not picked off, but he was not sacked as well. He spread the wealth around to a few different targets and one of them was RB Melvin Gordon, who had 47 receiving yards as well as 81 rushing yards. This season in their first one in LA LA land the Chargers have won Four of their seven home Games.
Rivers and company will be up against a Raiders’ D that ranks a respectable 13th against the run, but only 21st against the pass.
The Raiders are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 road Games, 3-8-2 ATS in their last 13 Games, and in their last 6 Games they have an Under record of 6-0.
The Chargers are 8-20 ATS in their last 28 home Games, 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 Games after an ATS loss, and in their last 7 home Games they have an Under record of 5-2.
Jason’s Pick: The Chargers need a win and a lot of help to get in the playoffs and they will get the W, but they will not cover in this division match up. Carr and company have nothing to lose and they will play well because of it making it a close Game and covering even on the road.