The teams are currently ranked 13th and 12th respectively in the AFC playoff standings, two games behind the 7th seed the Indianapolis Colts (7-6). The fact is, even with a victory, the chances of either of these franchises making a run in January are almost non-existent.
However, a match-up of teams with poor records can often be a gold mine for punters, and there is a plethora of angles that can be exploited in this one.
The opening line has the Raiders as –3.0 favourites, with the Over/Under total points market set at 34.0. That points line seems extremely reasonable given the lacklustre offensive output of the Raiders coupled with the strength of their scoring defense.
In addition, the Chargers' 16th-ranked scoring offense has been dire in recent weeks. They have scored seven, six and 10 points in their last three games. A similar offensive output is not out of the question against the ninth-ranked Raiders scoring defense.
Add in the fact quarterback Justin Herbert fractured his index finger in last week's 24-7 loss to the Denver Broncos, the LA offense is likely to be led by Easton Stick, who has thrown just 25 passes in his five season NFL career.
Running back Austin Ekeler and wide receiver Keenan Allen are likely to see a dip in production. Ekeler has failed to reach 75 rushing yards in nine straight games, while Allen will possibly struggle to hit the 100+ yard mark – a feat he has achieved four times in 2023.
The back-up quarterback starting is good news for the relentless Raiders' pass rush that is led by edge rusher Maxx Crosby. Crosby is joint-third in the NFL with 13.5 sacks on the year and had two sacks in the teams meeting in Week 4 this season.
On the opposite side of the ball, there is very little to like about the Raiders offense. Rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell was drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft and has thrown for 1,365 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. He has topped 250+ passing yards just once and has yet to throw multiple touchdowns in a game.
Like LA, Las Vegas hosts a pair of solid offensive weapons in running back Josh Jacobs and wide receiver Davante Adams. Jacobs averages just 3.5 yards per carry this season with four 75+ rushing yard performances. Adams, meanwhile, has one 100+ receiving yardage day in 2023 and has touchdowns in just three of 13 starts.
LA does boast the leading pass-rusher in the NFL to combat the 28th ranked Raiders scoring offense, Khalil Mack. The edge rusher has 15 sacks this season and took down Raiders' quarterbacks six times in Week 4.
