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Oakland has scored this total — 42 — in the last three games combined, and 15 came on two TDs in mop-up time after trailing 26-0. More so, the Raiders scored once in the first halves of those outings. Pencil them in for a minuscule output against L.A.’s stingy defense featuring a pass rush that will pester QB David Carr. Chargers games have been well under this total four of the past six weeks, with a mere 21 registered last Sunday, and the other two almost landed squarely on this number. Both reached 43 points. It’s amazing that a game matching traditional offensive stalwarts would inspire such a low number, but facts are facts. The defenses will dominate.
This was a one-point game earlier this year, and I'll take a full TD with a Raiders team that was very competitive in Philly last week. Back the road team to cover for the seventh straight time in this series.
The Chargers are playing for their playoff lives. They have to beat the Oakland Raiders on Sunday in order to stand a chance. Oakland’s inconsistent offense kept it from beating the Eagles last week on Christmas. The Raiders' offense will keep them from making this a game against the Chargers.
The Raiders showed last week that they're not quitting on the season, as the defense played one of its best games of the season despite the offense turning the ball over five times. The Raiders' rushing attack is playing well right now, and now they'll face the league's worst rush defense, a unit that has given up nearly 2,000 rushing yards and 4.9 yards per carry. Throw in the fact that the Chargers don't have much of a homefield advantage, and I like Oakland to keep it close.
The Under has been working well for both teams: Oakland has stayed Under in its last six and the Chargers have gone Under in their last five. Both also have an AFC West Under-thing going. Oakland is 7-1 to the Under in its last eight division games, while the Chargers are 9-1 to the Under in their last 10 against the AFC West. Go Under.
Throw the records out for this classic AFL meeting and expect a close game which makes taking +7.5 or +8 very attractive despite the Chargers "must win situation" to make the playoffs. While the Chargers are scoreboard watching events in Baltimore and Tennessee, the Raiders will attempt to salvage some badge of honor to close out the season while ending a three game losing streak. The Chargers struggled last week to put away a team with a green QB at New York and the reality is that the Chargers are overrated having covered the number just once in their last four. They've now gone 1-7 ATS in their last eight December games. Raiders get the cover, and quite possibly the win.