Chargers vs Raiders NFL Pick: Historic Rivals Clash in Las Vegas (Sep 15)

• NFL Week 2 Chargers-Raiders promises to be a competitive battle between longtime AFC West rivals
• LA beat the Chiefs in Brazil 27-21 in a game that wasn’t as close as the score suggests
• Las Vegas defeated the Patriots 20-13
• The Chargers are a 2.5 to 3-point favorite on the road
• LA has won the past two meetings
• The last Raiders win got former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley fired and opened the door for Jim Harbaugh to take over

LA Must Avoid a Letdown After Their Big Win Over the Chiefs

The Chargers’ Week 1 statement win over the defending AFC champion Chiefs retains its resonance only if they avoid a letdown against the retooling Raiders.

QB Justin Herbert was 25 for 34 with 3 TD passes. He also ran for 32 yards on 7 carries. Veteran receiver Keenan Allen, in his first game since returning to the Chargers, caught 7 passes for 68 yards and a TD. Rookie running back Omarion Hampton ran for 48 yards on 15 carries.

The defense bent, but it didn’t break against Patrick Mahomes. LA muted the Chiefs’ rushing attack.

The Raiders’ defense under Pete Carroll will be a challenge for Herbert and the Chargers. They pressure the QB and stuff the run.

LA is riding high after their win over KC. Jim Harbaugh’s preferred style is evident in their play, and Herbert was allowed to push the ball downfield in ways he wasn’t in 2024.

The Raiders Had a Good Start of Their Own

All offseason, there were positive vibes surrounding the Patriots with new head coach Mike Vrabel bringing competence and discipline. However, in Week 1, the Raiders interfered with New England’s return to relevance by beating them 20-13.

Las Vegas has a new coach of its own, Pete Carroll. Trivia buffs will know that Carroll was the Pats’ head coach before they hired Bill Belichick.

New starting QB Geno Smith was an efficient 24 of 34 for 362 yards, 1 TD, and 1 pick.

Budding superstar tight end Brock Bowers caught 5 balls for 103 yards. Jakobi Meyers haunted his former home in New England with 8 catches for 97 yards. Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty had a disappointing start with 38 yards on 19 carries, but it was clear that the Patriots were focusing on him, thinking the Raiders’ receiving corps and Smith could be contained.

The Raiders sacked Drake Maye 4 times.

Las Vegas’ offense is innovative and aggressive under offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Smith can execute, and Carroll is in the process of building his type of defense with hard-hitting and aggression.

Still, there is a difference between containing Drake Maye and trying to stop Justin Herbert.

Chargers vs Raiders Pick

For the Week 2 Chargers-Raiders matchup, the combination of Harbaugh knowing that his team cannot afford a letdown after their win over the Chiefs and that Las Vegas is still a work in progress should carry LA to victory.

The Chargers will win relatively easily with Herbert staking his claim to be talked about in the same breath as Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Mahomes.