Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers January 5th 2025

The Chargers are favored on the road with a money line of -232 as they take on the Raiders at 4:25 ET on Sunday, January 5th. The Raiders’ money line odds are +193, and the point spread has the Chargers -5. The over/under line is sitting at 41 points. This week 18 AFC West matchup is being televised on CBS.

Los Angeles vs. Las Vegas Key Information

• Teams: Chargers at Raiders
• Where: Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas
• Date: Sunday, January 5th
• Betting Odds LAC -232 | LV +193 O/U 41

The Chargers Can Win If…

With a 10-6 record, the Chargers have secured a playoff spot, though they have no chance of winning the AFC West. They are currently 6th in the AFC and rank 10th in our NFL power rankings. Los Angeles has won two straight games, including a 33-point victory over the Patriots in week 17 and a 7-point win over the Broncos in week 16.

Against the spread, the Chargers are 11-4-1, with an average scoring margin of +5.4 points per game. They have covered in two straight games, including a 6-point spread vs New England. Their O/U record stands at 7-9, with the over hitting in three consecutive games.

Justin Herbert has been on a roll heading into week 18, improving his passer rating in each of the last three games. In week 17, he threw for 281 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Patriots, completing 26 of 38 passes without an interception. Ladd McConkey led the team with 8 receptions for 94 yards and 2 touchdowns, while J.K. Dobbins rushed for 76 yards on 19 carries.

Currently, the Chargers rank 11th in our offensive power rankings. They are 12th in the NFL in points per game, averaging 23, and 23rd in passing yards per game with 314.9. On 3rd down, they rank 13th with a conversion rate of 39.6%.

The Chargers’ defense was dominant in their 40-7 win over the Patriots, allowing just 85 passing yards and forcing New England to complete only 13 passes. They defended the run well, giving up 96 yards on 20 attempts. The Chargers’ defense recorded four sacks and limited the Patriots to a 20% conversion rate on third down.

Los Angeles held New England to just 181 total yards and 7 points, with the Patriots’ only touchdown coming on the ground. The Chargers also won the tackles for loss battle by a margin of +6.

• Spanning across their last three games, Los Angeles have gone 2-1. The team has also been excellent vs the spread, going 2-1. Their over-under record in these games was 3-0.
• Across Los Angeles’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 7-3. The team’s record vs the spread was just 8-2, in addition to an over-under mark of 6-4.

The Raiders Can Win If…

After a six-game losing streak, the Raiders have bounced back with two straight wins, including a 25-10 victory over the Saints in week 17. Las Vegas was a 1.5-point favorite and covered the spread, improving their record to 4-12. Despite the win, they remain 4th in the AFC West and have a -6.9 scoring margin this season. They rank 22nd in our power rankings and have no chance of making the playoffs.

Against the spread, the Raiders are 7-8-1, with two consecutive ATS wins. They are 2-1 as favorites and 5-7-1 as underdogs. Their O/U record is 8-8, with the under hitting in five straight games.

Heading into week 18, the Raiders sit 25th in the NFL in both points per game (18.1) and yards per game (305.6), and we have them ranked 31st in our offensive power rankings. Despite ranking 24th in rushing attempts, they are last in the league in rushing yards per game, averaging just 82.4. On the other hand, they are 4th in passing attempts and 13th in passing yards, with 223.2 per game. Las Vegas ranks 25th in the NFL in 3rd-down conversions, with a 35.3% success rate, but they have been efficient in the red zone, ranking 5th in the league in conversion percentage.

Aidan O’Connell has been solid over the last two games, throwing for 242 yards and 2 touchdowns in week 17 after a 257-yard performance in week 16. Against the Saints, he posted a passer rating of 97, completing 20 of 35 passes. Ameer Abdullah led the rushing attack with 115 yards on 20 carries, while Brock Bowers had 7 receptions for 77 yards.

In their 25-10 win over the Saints, the Raiders’ defense allowed just a 10% third-down conversion rate. They also came away with four sacks and two interceptions, while holding the Saints to 188 passing yards. New Orleans managed only 81 rushing yards on 13 attempts against Las Vegas.

Today’s Best NFL Picks: Expert Tips for Successful Bets 💡 Click Here!

The Raiders’ defense limited the Saints to 269 total yards and 55.6% completions. Despite giving up one passing touchdown, they were effective in generating pressure and disrupting the passing game.

• Across Las Vegas’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. Their record vs the spread sits at 1-1-1 in these matchups, while posting a 1-2 over-under mark.
• The Raiders have gone 4-6 over their last ten regular season games. In these contests, the team went just 5-3-2 against the spread, while going 6-4 on the over-under.

The Lean

Our projected final score for this week 18 matchup between the Chargers and Raiders is 28-21 in favor of the Chargers. With the point spread at +5 in favor of the Raiders, we are going against the spread and taking the Chargers to cover as road favorites.

For this game, we have a point spread pick and an over/under pick. With the line sitting at 41 points, our recommendation is to take the over, as we have these teams finishing with 49 combined points.

Chargers and Raiders Gear Up for a Season Finale in Vegas

The Los Angeles Chargers are heading to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders in their final regular-season game, and while the playoffs are already locked in for the Chargers, there’s still plenty to play for. On the other side, the Raiders are focused on finishing strong after a rough season but are showing some late-season life.

Chargers Keep the Momentum Rolling

The Chargers (10-6) might already have their playoff ticket, but head coach Jim Harbaugh isn’t about to hit the brakes. His starters, including Justin Herbert, are suiting up for this one.

Justin Herbert has been steady all season, throwing for 3,524 yards with 21 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He’s got some serious weapons, including rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who’s been lighting it up with 1,054 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Running back JK Dobbins has also been a standout, rushing for 842 yards and nine touchdowns in just 12 games.

Raiders Rally Late in the Season

It’s been a tough year for the Raiders (4-12), but they’re closing it out with some fire. After a 10-game losing streak, they’ve picked up back-to-back wins over the Jaguars and Saints. While some fans aren’t thrilled about losing a shot at a top draft pick, head coach Antonio Pierce is focused on the positives.

“We’re all in for 17 games,” Pierce said. “This is a chance to finish strong against a divisional rival and show how much we’ve improved.”

The Raiders have found a gem in rookie tight end Brock Bowers. He’s shattered records this season, becoming the first rookie tight end to rack up 1,144 receiving yards and 108 catches. He’s also now the franchise leader in single-season receptions, passing Darren Waller’s 2020 record.

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Justin Herbert vs. Raiders’ Defense
   Herbert’s efficiency and deep-ball accuracy have been key all year. Can the Raiders’ defense step up to slow him down?
2. Brock Bowers’ Record-Breaking Season
   Bowers has been unstoppable, and he’ll likely be a go-to target again. The Chargers will need to find a way to contain him.
3. Ladd McConkey’s Chemistry with Herbert
   McConkey has quickly become one of Herbert’s favorite targets. If they connect early, it could spell trouble for the Raiders.
4. Raiders’ Running Game Without Conner
   With James Conner out, Michael Carter and DeeJay Dallas will need to carry the load in the backfield.

Your Next Move Starts Here

Handicapping Membership

Get Free Trial

A Look Back: Their First Matchup

The Chargers got the better of the Raiders in Week 1 with a 22-10 win. JK Dobbins was the star, rushing for 135 yards and a touchdown. The Raiders will be looking to flip the script in the rematch.

Injury Updates

Both teams have players battling injuries:

• Chargers: Ladd McConkey (toe), Gus Edwards (ankle), and Josh Palmer (foot) are among those who missed practice.
• Raiders: Ameer Abdullah (foot) and Kolton Miller (wrist) are questionable for Sunday’s game

What’s at Stake?

For the Chargers, it’s all about keeping the momentum going as they head into the playoffs. For the Raiders, this is a chance to end a disappointing season on a high note and prove they’ve got pieces to build on for the future.

Final Thoughts

The Chargers are the favorites, with their starters locked in and their sights set on win No. 11. But the Raiders have shown some fight in recent weeks and have a rising star in Brock Bowers who could make things interesting.

Will the Chargers dominate, or can the Raiders pull off an upset in Sin City? Tune in Sunday to find out!