Raiders at Chargers: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 1 matchup at SoFi Stadium
A thrilling 35-32 overtime win in Week 18 of the 2021 NFL season sent the Raiders to the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 campaign.
Eight months after that do-or-die game (though technically the Raiders and Chargers both could have qualified for the playoffs if the game ended in a tie), the teams meet again in the 2022 opener from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
Kickoff is 1:25 p.m. on CBS and can be seen throughout California.
The Chargers will look for revenge against their AFC West rival.
Both teams improved their rosters through free agency and trades.
The Chargers added cornerback J.C. Jackson, defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day, linebacker Kyle Van Noy and defensive end Khalil Mack in a trade with the Chicago Bears.
The Raiders signed defensive tackles Bilal Nichols and Andrew Billings and cornerback Anthony Averett, and acquired defensive end Chandler Jones in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin in an unrelated deal with the Indianapolis Colts.
But the Raiders’ top move was one of the biggest offseason splashes throughout the league, picking up superstar wide receiver Davante Adams in a trade with the Green Bay Packers and reuniting him with Las Vegas quarterback and former Fresno State teammate Derek Carr.
Injury report
The Raiders will enter the game with just one injury to report. Linebacker Divine Deablo (wrist) was added Friday and was a FULL participant.
The Chargers listed Jackson as doubtful. He hasn’t practiced after undergoing ankle surgery a few weeks ago.
If he can’t go, Michael Davis will get the start.
TE Donald Parham Jr. (hamstring) is also listed as doubtful. LB Drue Tranquill (back) was added to the injury report and he’s listed as questionable.
Line and over/under
According to DraftKings, the Chargers are listed as 3.5-point favorites with the over/under at 52.5.
Analysis
For the Raiders to win, it comes down to protecting Carr and putting pressure on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. ... The offensive line has been talked about all offseason due to the uncertainty they bring. It’ll be tough going against the Chargers duo of Joey Bosa and Mack. ... Left tackle Kolton Miller will deal with possibly both during the game as will right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor. ... But it doesn’t take much for Carr to throw the ball quickly. He’s done it before, when his receivers wind up in the right spots.
... Speaking of defensive ends, the Raiders counter with a pretty good tandem of their own on the defensive front in Maxx Crosby and Jones. Putting pressure on Herbert is key in this. ... Crosby has 3.5 career sacks against the Chargers, including two in the season finale last season. ... VividSeats said 65% of the crowd will be Raider Nation. That wasn’t a factor last season when the Chargers won at SoFi Stadium. ... In our way-too-early offseason predictions, The Bee went with the Chargers to win and much of the nation’s betting public may side with the Chargers this week as well. Not us anymore.
Prediction: Raiders 27, Chargers 24
This story was originally published September 9, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
