The Los Angeles Chargers have a recent history of success on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders, and one more win in the series will earn them a spot in the NFL playoffs. The AFC West rivals meet on Sunday Night Football in a winner-take-all showdown for the final berth in the AFC. The Chargers (9-7) came from behind to secure a 30-27 overtime victory in Las Vegas last year, and they have now won 12 of their past 17 matchups with the Raiders (9-7) away from home. However, Las Vegas leads the all-time series 65-56-2 and can earn its first playoff berth in six years by squaring the season series with a home victory Sunday night.
Kickoff from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas is set for 8:20 p.m. ET. Los Angeles is a three-point favorite and the over-under for total points scored is 48.5 in the latest Chargers vs. Raiders odds from Caesars Sportsbook. Before locking in any Raiders vs. Chargers picks on Sunday Night Football, you need to see what SportsLine's resident Chargers expert, Mike Tierney, has to say.
A national sportswriter whose work appears in The New York Times and Los Angeles Times, Tierney has covered the NFL for decades and reported from seven Super Bowls. He's used his experience to crush the NFL, going 190-152 against the spread the past three seasons.
What's more, Tierney is an outstanding 28-15 on his last 43 picks involving the Los Angeles Chargers. Anyone who has followed him has seen massive returns.
Now, Tierney has locked in on Chargers vs. Raiders from every angle and released a confident against-the-spread pick. You can only see his Raiders vs. Chargers pick at SportsLine. Here are several NFL odds and betting lines for Chargers vs. Raiders:
- Chargers vs. Raiders point spread: Chargers -3
- Chargers vs. Raiders over-under total: 48.5 points
- Chargers vs. Raiders money line: Chargers -180, Raiders +155
- LAC: The Chargers are 6-2 against the spread in their last eight games against AFC West opponents
- LV: The underdog is 18-7 ATS in the last 25 meetings in this series
Why the Chargers can cover
In just his second year as starting quarterback, Justin Herbert already has set numerous milestones. Perhaps the biggest one yet in the 23-year-old's career came last week when he set the franchise season record for touchdown passes with 35. The mark was previously held by Philip Rivers with 34 and Dan Fouts is behind them at 33.
The Oregon product conceded it was "special" to set the milestone, but also told the media that the personal accomplishment pales in comparison to the bigger goal of leading the Chargers to a deep playoff run. Herbert's early returns suggest he performs at peak levels under the bright lights. In three prime time games this year, he has thrown for 840 yards and eight touchdowns against two interceptions while leading the Chargers to a 2-1 mark. The lone defeat came in the 34-28 overtime classic against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15 in which Los Angeles did not touch the ball in overtime.
Why the Raiders can cover
Although the Raiders have been hit hard by injuries at key positions, they appear to be getting as healthy as they have been all season at the right time. Perhaps no returning player is more important than tight end Darren Waller, who has missed the last five weeks because of an assortment of injuries. Raiders interim coach Rich Bisaccia told the media this week that he expects Waller to be in the lineup Sunday against the Chargers.
When healthy, Waller provides a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses with his size, speed and ball skills. Waller, who has 53 catches for 643 yards and two touchdowns, has been out of the lineup since leaving with a knee injury against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. He had four receptions for 60 yards and a score in the first meeting against the Chargers. What's more, quarterback Derek Carr has quietly had one of the best seasons of his up-and-down career. He has thrown for 4,618 yards and 21 touchdowns against 14 interceptions.
How to make Raiders vs. Chargers picks
Tierney is leaning under on the point total, but he has a much stronger play against the spread for the Chargers vs. Raiders regular season finale. In fact, he says a crucial X-factor makes one side of the spread hit hard. You only get Tierney's Sunday Night Football picks at SportsLine.
Who wins Raiders vs. Chargers on Sunday Night Football? And what critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Raiders vs. Chargers spread you should jump on, all from the NFL expert who's 28-15 on picks involving the Chargers, and find out.
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