SNF: Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers 1/9/22 NFL Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers square off in week 18 NFL Sunday Night Football at Allegiant Stadium. The Los Angeles Chargers look to make their first playoff trip since the 2018 season. The Las Vegas Raiders look to make their first playoff trip since the 2016 season.

The Los Angeles Chargers have won four of their last seven road games. Justin Herbert is completing 67.3 percent of his passes for 4,631 yards, 35 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Mike Williams and Keenan Allen have combined for 2,113 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, while Austin Ekeler has 65 receptions. The Los Angeles Chargers ground game is averaging 109.3 yards per contest, and Ekeler leads the way with 847 yards and 11 touchdowns. Defensively, Los Angeles is allowing 26.5 points and 361 yards per game. Kyzir White leads the Los Angeles Chargers with 137 tackles, Joey Bosa has 9.5 sacks and Asante Samuel Jr. has 2 interceptions.

The Las Vegas Raiders have lost four of their last six home games. Derek Carr is completing 69.2 percent of his passes for 4,618 yards, 21 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow have combined for 1,668 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns, while Zay Jones has 42 receptions. The Las Vegas Raiders ground game is averaging 90.2 yards per contest, and Josh Jacobs leads the way with 740 yards and 8 touchdowns. Defensively, Las Vegas is allowing 25.4 points and 330.8 yards per game. Denzel Perryman leads the Las Vegas Raiders with 145 tackles, Yannick Ngakoue has 10 sacks and Trayvon Mullen Jr. has 1 interception.

The Chargers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs. AFC West and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games on grass. The Raiders are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games and 2-5 ATS in their last 7 vs. AFC West. The over is 5-0 in Chargers last 5 games overall. The under is 4-1 in Raiders last 5 games overall. The Chargers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings in Las Vegas.

This should be a hell of a game with a playoff spot on the line, and it’s been hard to get a feel for both of these clubs. The Chargers and Raiders have both had issues stringing wins together and right when you think they have them figured out they fall apart. The Chargers are the more talented team here, so I can understand why they’re favored. However, it’s the Raiders who are in better form and just went on the road and beat a quality Colts team. Also, Las Vegas quietly has a solid home crowd, and you know they’ll be out in full force here. Nothing would surprise me in this game, but if I’m going to pick, I’m going to grab the points with the Raiders at home.