Simulation Picks
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Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
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Expert Picks
The entire 4 p.m. window is filled with double-digit spreads, so when looking at which team I trusted the most to cover -- or not cover -- theirs, I ultimately landed on the Chargers. The Raiders have been rudderless as of late, and aside from a 28-point output at home against the Colts, they have otherwise failed to score more than 10 points since September. The Chargers, meanwhile, have been on an absolute roll, and even this "road" game isn't that much of a shock to a team that barely has a home stadium in the first place. The Raiders just let a third-stringer light them up for 34 points. What is Phillip Rivers, Melvin Gordon & Co. going to do? Take the big spread.
I don't trust the Raiders' offense to help much in getting this total Over. Back the Under to cash for the fifth straight time in this series.
This is a ton of points to lay on the road, and I generally would run away from doing it. But the Raiders look like they've given up, and if things start to go against them in this game, I feel like they'll lay down again in the second half. And that could very well happen, as the Chargers are one of the league's best teams per many metrics, including yards per play differential. Oakland has lost four straight by 14+ points, including two at home against worse teams. And home 'dogs of at least 9.5 points are 13-15 ATS since 2013, so there's not really any value in autoplaying a home 'dog in this spot.
Oakland’s just terrible. Normally I don’t like giving that many points with the Chargers, but Rivers is playing well, Gordon is terrific at RB, they have a lot of balance on offense, they’ll do what they have to do there. The Raiders are not playing well at all, they have no passing game to speak of, every element of their team is bad. And the Chargers, they have a lot to play for right now. I’m a little worried about their kicking game, but they cover as long as Rivers keeps his foot on the gas.
The Chargers impressed on both sides of the ball at Seattle for the eight-point win, and my projections show them winning by double that total Sunday at the Raiders. Oakland was picked clean by rookie 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens last time out while mustering three points. The Raiders are 2-6 against the spread this season. My simulations show Los Angeles covering the spread nearly two-thirds of the time, and with the Raiders having little to play for this could get ugly quickly. Back the Chargers.