The Theme is “Win and In” as the Las Vegas Raiders and LA Chargers Meet
By Charles Jay
Often on the last weekend of the NFL season, there are a lot of games that play very much like preseason affairs. And pro football betting aficionados sometimes don’t know who’s playing or for how long. The LA Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders are on tilt
Things are a little different with the Sunday night game, however, as a playoff spot is definitely on the line. NBC will televise the contest between the LA Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders, kicking off at 8:20 p.m. Eastern time at Allegiant Stadium, right off the Vegas strip.
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Pro Football Betting — Here are the numbers…..
In the pro football betting odds at BetAnySports, the Chargers are the favorites on the road:
Los Angeles Chargers -3
Las Vegas Raiders +3
Over 48 Points -110
Under 48 Points -110
Pro Football Betting — What happened last time around?
Of course, both of these teams play in the AFC West, so they compete twice a year against each other. In the first meeting, the Chargers got off to a 21-0 halftime lead and held on for a 28 -14 victory in which Las Vegas did not get a lot going offensively, generating only 213 yards.
Justin Herbert threw for three touchdowns in that game; he has had a season good enough for him to be voted the starter in the Pro Bowl, throwing for 4631 yards in a 35 touchdowns.
Pro Football Betting — What do the Raiders have to do?
Well, this is a team that has been on a three-game winning streak, so obviously they are executing a little bit. But let’s start with the proposition that they have to exploit some of the Chargers’ weaknesses. One of them is the inability to defend the tight end position with any consistency. Los Angeles has allowed 70% completions, 12.5 yards per catch and a dozen touchdowns to wide to tight ends this year. And the Raiders have one of the best in the business in Darren Waller. The question is going to evolve around how much he can actually contribute. Waller injured his knee and his back on Thanksgiving against Dallas, and then he went on the COVID list before being activated this week. He has been limited in practice. But if he can turn himself loose, we can be a big asset.
Another thing Las Vegas has to do is run the football down the Chargers’ throats. Let’s be frank — this is a team that, because of the defensive scheme it has generally employed, has given up 136.7 yards per game on the ground and 4.6 yards per carry, making them one of the worst in the NFL against enemy rushing attacks.
Again, we have an injury question, as the Raiders would love to be able to wear the defense down with Josh Jacobs. He does have 52 receptions, but only 3.9 yards per carry, and he is listed as questionable with a rib injury. Those things can be painful, and so he is somewhat touch-and-go at the moment.
Pro Football Betting — What do the Chargers have to do?
It would be very beneficial if Austin Ekeler could be effective in a dual role. When these teams played before, he had one touchdown rushing and one receiving, with 117 yards on the ground. And because there might be a problem with his depth in the Las Vegas secondary, somebody like Jalen Guyton might become a big factor as the third receiver, because he has shown the ability to stretch the defense and make some big plays.
Executing in the red zone it’s also the key; Las Vegas has allowed touchdowns to opponents on 79.5% of their red-zone trips, and that is the worst figure in the NFL.
We have experienced 33 wide receiver drops his season, the fifth most in the league. So, well, they have to hold onto the ball.
Pro Football Betting — Our conclusion
The way this shapes up, the winner gets a playoff spot. And it has been suggested that they could both fall on the ball or take a knee on every down and wind up in a tie, which would enable both teams to make the playoffs.
Of course that’s a joke, but when we get serious, we have to recognize that the Chargers have some significant advantages. The Raiders are short on receivers who really threaten a defense in a way that is outside of the ordinary. Hunter Renfrow will be going after his 100th reception, and he has an 83.2% catch rate, so he is someone they have to keep an eye on. But he’s not one of those vertical threats, and Derek Carr has been handicapped by a substandard offensive line. Alex Leatherwood, first round draft pick out of Alabama, has had a disappointing rookie season.
It is going to be important for the Raiders to get some pressure, and they’re capable of it, with 72 quarterback hits. But not only does Herbert handle pressure pretty well, he has shown some really good numbers against the cCover 3 defense the Raiders employ.
So perhaps Waller is not 100%, and neither is Jacobs. And considering how horrible the Raiders have been stopping teams in the red zone, this becomes an uphill battle. All in all, the Chargers are the better team, and we are not sure Las Vegas has developed an imposing home field advantage as of yet. So we could lay the points here.
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