Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers: What to watch for and predicting Week 4 winner
It will be another tough game for the Las Vegas Raiders as they open the AFC West play against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Then again, the Raiders faced three tough teams to start the season, but won those games to go 3-0 — two in overtime over the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium.
The Raiders hope to have running back Jacob Jacobs (ankle) back. He was a limited participant on Thursday and Friday and is listed as questionable for Monday’s game.
The Raiders, though, have won two of their games without Jacobs, victories that have been the result of strong play by both the offense and defense.
A 3-0 start for the Raiders is the first time that has happened since the 2002 season, when the franchise started 4-0 en route to the postseason.
The Raiders will try to match that start against the Chargers.
In last week’s 31-28 overtime victory over the Dolphins, the Raiders’ defense held Miami to a field goal in the extra period. Derek Carr made a big pass play to Bryan Edwards and running back Peyton Barber’s long run set up Daniel Carlson’s game-winning field goal.
The Chargers are coming off an impressive 30-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, led by Justin Herbert’s four touchdown passes.
The Raiders will need to apply pressure on Herbert and have consistent play by the defense.
Raiders defensive coordinator Gus Bradley knows a thing or two about Herbert, as does linebacker Denzel Perryman and cornerback Casey Hayward Jr., after they were previously with the Chargers.
Whether that translates to an advantage for the Raiders remains to be seen, but for Las Vegas to pull out another road win, they need to disrupt Herbert.
The matchup and the pick
Kickoff: 5:15 p.m. PDT Monday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood
Fresno TV/radio: ESPN (Ch. 32 on Comcast)/ESPN (AM 1430)
Records: Raiders 3-0; Chargers 2-1
Line: Chargers favored by 3
Anthony Galaviz’s prediction: Raiders 28, Chargers 25
Analysis: All the Raiders do is play close games. No game is ever easy, and fans wonder when their team will win in convincing fashion. We don’t think it happens here because this game appears like it could come down to the final minute. ... Can the Raiders continue to build on their early-season momentum? It is the Raiders’ second road game this season, but it may feel like a home game since the Raiders are back in Southern California, where they usually draw well dating to their time in Los Angeles in the early 1980s to 1993. ... The pick is the Raiders outright.
This story was originally published October 2, 2021 at 3:29 PM.
