The Los Angeles Chargers are beat up and out of playoff contention, leading to the majority of the money to back the Las Vegas Raiders for Thursday night’s game.
It is a critical Week 15 home game for the Raiders (7-6), who are a game behind the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens for the final wild-card spot in the AFC with three games remaining.
Las Vegas is favored by 3.5 points at BetAmerica, BetRivers, DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, UniBet and William Hill, while BetMGM is offering the Raiders as 4.0-point favorites.
The Chargers (4-9) are expected to be without Mike Williams (back) and potentially fellow wide receiver Keenan Allen (hamstring), who will be limited if he plays. That’s a significant setback for rookie quarterback Justin Herbert.
Allen is second in the NFL with 99 catches, while his 975 receiving yards and eight touchdowns lead the team. Williams has 36 catches for 572 yards and four touchdowns.
The one piece of good injury news for Los Angeles is that running back Austin Ekeler (quad) is expected to play. He leads the Chargers with 407 yards rushing despite playing in just seven games this season. Ekeler also has proven to be a capable outlet with 41 catches for 328 yards.
The Chargers’ injury issues at wide receiver have contributed to 69 percent of the total money and 59 percent of the total moneyline bets at DraftKings being placed on the Raiders at -162. Las Vegas is being backed by 60 percent of the handle and 53 percent of the total spread bets.
The Raiders are 2-3 against the spread in the past five games, while the Chargers are 1-4 ATS over that same span. Las Vegas is being backed at BetRivers by 78 percent of the total money wagered on the spread and 69 percent of the moneyline handle at -180.
Despite Herbert potentially down his two best wideouts, bettors expect a shootout Thursday night.
Las Vegas has allowed the most points in the NFL over their past three games, leading coach Jon Gruden to change defensive coordinators. During that same three-week stretch, Los Angeles has allowed the fifth-most points in the league.
The over/under at BetRivers is 53 total points, with 87 percent of the total money being wagered on the over. At DraftKings, where the over/under is 53.5, 79 percent of the handle and 70 percent of the total bets have backed the over.
(Field Level Media)
