Chargers vs Raiders Week 18 Predictions, Odds, Picks, and Preview: AFC Wild Card at Stake : NFL : Sports World News

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders throws a cross throughout the second half towards the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo : Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

A blockbuster showdown shall be heading our approach in Week 18 because the Las Vegas Raiders and the Los Angeles Chargers sq. off in a key conflict at Allegiant Stadium. Who will prevail on this Chargers vs Raiders recreation? Here’s a breakdown of this winner-take-all AFC West conflict.

Los Angeles Chargers put in as -2.5 favorites

The Los Angeles Chargers moved again into playoff competition after recording a complete 34-13 win over the Denver Broncos in Week 17. It was an enormous victory for the Chargers, who climbed to seventh place within the AFC standings with a 9-7 slate.

With the win, the Chargers are in command of their playoff future as soon as once more. They solely have to beat the Raiders in Week 18 to succeed in the postseason. Achieving that activity won’t be simple for the Chargers, with the Raiders needing a victory as properly of their regular-season finale for them to seize a wild card spot.

One man who must step up for LA in Week 18 is Justin Herbert. He was excellent within the win towards the Broncos, finishing 22 of 31 passes for 237 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Herbert made historical past with that efficiency, setting a franchise single-season report with 35 landing passes. He broke the earlier report of 34 touchdowns set by Philip Rivers within the 2008 season.

For the Chargers to seize the highway win, they need to proceed their glorious play on the defensive finish. LA had one in all its greatest defensive performances this season within the win towards Denver, with the Chargers snapping their 10-game streak of permitting not less than 21 factors.

Las Vegas Raiders enter Week 18 as +2.5 underdogs

Las Vegas’ playoff hopes remained very a lot alive after the Raiders recorded an exhilarating 23-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts of their AFC showdown in Week 17. The Raiders are presently in eighth place within the AFC standings with a 9-7 slate. They share the identical report because the Colts and the Chargers, who maintain the final two wild card spots within the AFC.

The Raiders, who’ve received their final three video games, will look to maintain the momentum going towards the Chargers. For Las Vegas to seize its fourth consecutive win, the Raiders have to get an excellent efficiency from Derek Carr. He accomplished 24 of 31 passes for 255 yards with one landing and two interceptions within the win towards the Colts.

The Raiders additionally want to determine the run recreation towards the Chargers. They ran for simply 85 yards in Week 17 towards Indianapolis. That is a far cry from the 160 yards they gained on the bottom in Week 16 towards the Broncos.

It is essential for the Raiders that Josh Jacobs has a monster displaying towards the Chargers. He ran for simply 63 yards on 16 carries within the win towards Indianapolis. Jacobs might want to punish a Chargers staff that’s third-worst within the NFL in speeding protection, permitting 136.7 yards per recreation this season.