NFL Picks Week 10: Chargers vs. Raiders Expert Predictions

Back to my usual split last Thursday on my recommendations as Arizona (+10.5) lost 28-25 at home to San Francisco. Pretty surprised that the Cardinals were able to put that many points on the board against such a good defense - the total was set at 44 and I liked "under." The Niners had allowed just 23 points combined in their previous four games.

This week, it's an AFC West matchup between the Chargers and Raiders. I've never attended a Raiders game in Oakland but it looks like it's quite fun with all those rabid fans all dressed up like marauders and such (and undoubtedly all hammered). Guess I'll never make it there for one, either, considering the team is headed to Las Vegas after this season. Thus, this will obviously be the Chargers' last game in Oakland - those two teams have been linked since they both were in the inaugural 1960 season in the AFL.

Somewhat the Chargers' fault that the Raiders are leaving town. Remember, the Raiders also wanted to move to Los Angeles, but the NFL owners instead approved the Rams/Chargers package deal. So then Raiders owner Mark Davis used Las Vegas as leverage to get a new stadium built in Oakland. Didn't happen so now the team is leaving for Sin City. I think San Diego gets an NFL team back before Oakland does.

This is also the last night game in Oakland barring one being flexed to Sunday night later in the season, which I suppose is possible if the Raiders keep playing well. I think it will be a wild scene at what is now called RingCentral Coliseum.

Chargers at Raiders Betting Story Lines

Chargers coach Anthony Lynn made the interesting decision to fire offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt after a Week 8 victory in Chicago. I say interesting because you don't usually see guys fired after a victory, but the offense had been really struggling and the Bolts were lucky to beat the Bears.

Lynn handed over play-calling duties in Week 9 to quarterbacks coach Shane Steichen, and he clearly wanted to establish the run. The Bolts had been held under 40 yards rushing in four straight games - a first in the Super Bowl era by any team - but exploded for a season-high 159 yards in Sunday's 26-11 win over the Packers. Melvin Gordon, who came in averaging only 2.5 yards per carry, had 80 yards on 20 carries and two scores. Austin Ekeler added 12 carries for 70 yards. Philip Rivers was an efficient 21-for-28 for 294 yards and no turnovers; it was only the third time this season he didn't have a turnover. Mike Williams had the first 100-yard receiving day in his three-year career with three receptions for 111 yards.

The defense also was terrific, holding Aaron Rodgers to just 161 yards passing and sacking him three times. However, starting linebacker Denzel Perryman, who is great against the run, left with a knee injury. Not clear as of this writing how long he could miss.

The Raiders played their first home game since Week 2 on Sunday and beat the Lions 31-24 to already reach their four-win total of 2018. Derek Carr threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to rookie Hunter Renfrow with 2:04 left and then the Oakland defense had a goal-line stand in the final seconds. Josh Jacobs continued to impress with 120 yards and two scores on 28 carries. Either he or Kyler Murry is going to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Jacobs already has set the franchise rookie rushing yardage record, breaking the mark by Hall of Famer Marcus Allen. He was the No. 24 overall pick this year - one of the picks the Raiders got from Chicago for Khalil Mack.

Defensively, the Raiders fear that second-year end Arden Key broke his foot Sunday. He has two sacks on the year. The secondary should get a boost as cornerback Isaiah Johnson has been activated from injured reserve. He was a fourth-round pick in April but was out with a concussion.

Chargers at Raiders Betting Odds and Trends

At 5Dimes, the game is a pick'em with a total of 48. On the moneyline, Los Angeles is -123 and Oakland +103. On some alternate lines, the Chargers are -3 (+125), -3.5 (+150), -7 (+228) and -7.5 (+240). Oakland is -3 (+150) and -3.5 (+175). L.A. is 2-1-1 against the spread on the road and 1-3 "over/under." Oakland is 3-1 ATS at home and 2-2 O/U.

The Chargers have covered their past four on the road. They are 8-1 ATS in their previous nine November games. The Raiders are 2-5 ATS in their past seven after scoring more than 30 points in the previous game. The under is 7-1 in L.A.'s past eight and 7-3-1 in Oakland's past 11 after a win. It has hit five straight in this series.

Chargers at Raiders Betting Prediction

The Bolts have won and covered four in a row in the series. It was 20-6 in Oakland last year. I think they make it five, something like 24-20, so take Los Angeles and go under.