Las Vegas Raiders at Chargers: Who has the edge?

Las Vegas Raiders (3-0) astatine Chargers (2-1)

When: 5:15 p.m. Monday

Where: SoFi Stadium

TV/Radio: ESPN; 98.7 FM; 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (Spanish); Sirius 83

Line: Chargers by 3 points

Notable wounded designations: Chargers: LB Kenneth Murray (ankle; questionable) DT Justin Jones (out; calf), CB Chris Harris Jr. (questionable; shoulder),

Raiders: RB Josh Jacobs (questionable; ankle)

What’s astatine stake? The Chargers tin show they’re a existent playoff contender by winning their 2nd consecutive crippled and handing the Raiders their archetypal nonaccomplishment of the season. This crippled volition beryllium a bully indicator of wherever the 2 teams stand. The Chargers are coming disconnected a signature roadworthy triumph against the Kansas City Chiefs, but they had an disfigured location nonaccomplishment to the Dallas Cowboys the week prior. Perhaps the Chargers person recovered their stride with the caller coaching staff, but they’ll request to chopped down the penalties to beryllium a existent contender successful the AFC West. The Raiders are 3-0, but they had to flooded a 14-0 shortage against Dolphins backup backmost Jacoby Brissett past week.

Who’s better? These teams look adjacent offensively with galore weapons and red-hot quarterbacks, but the Chargers get the borderline with prima defenders Joey Bosa and Derwin James connected their side. The Chargers’ defence forced the Chiefs into 4 turnovers due to the fact that inexperienced players stepped up to make those takeaways. Safety Nasir Adderley and cornerbacks Tevaughn Campbell and Asante Samuel Jr. helped incorporate the Chiefs’ apical weapons. They’ll person their hands afloat against Raiders backmost Derek Carr, choky extremity Darren Waller and wide receivers Henry Ruggs III, Hunter Renfrow and Bryan Edwards.

The Raiders’ defence has improved nether the guidance of Gus Bradley, the Chargers’ erstwhile antiaircraft coordinator. Raiders antiaircraft ends Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue person provided accordant unit this season, but they mightiness person occupation getting to Chargers backmost Justin Herbert. The Chargers’ violative line, with rookie near tackle Rashawn Slater and halfway Corey Linsley, has fixed Herbert plentifulness of clip to operate.

Matchup to watch: Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen versus Raiders cornerback Casey Hayward. They were teammates for 5 seasons with the Chargers earlier the squad released Hayward successful the offseason. Hayward rapidly recovered a caller location with the Raiders and is having a bounce-back season. But Allen volition apt beryllium Hayward’s toughest matchup of the season. This volition beryllium a chess lucifer betwixt 2 acquainted opponents.

Chargers triumph if: … They bounds the penalties connected offense. The Chargers had different touchdown taken distant past week due to the fact that of an amerciable shift. They mightiness person connection issues astatine location with galore Raiders fans expected to beryllium astatine SoFi Stadium. The Chargers’ discourtesy volition request to beryllium connected the aforesaid leafage if they extremity up utilizing the soundless number for a location game.

Fantasy sleeper: Waller volition apt person a large outing if the Chargers absorption connected stopping the downfield plays, a look that worked against Chiefs backmost Patrick Mahomes. Chargers manager Brandon Staley volition astir apt look to instrumentality distant Carr’s apical extracurricular weapons and unit him to dump it disconnected to Waller for abbreviated gains. But if Waller gets excessively galore chunk plays, Staley mightiness beryllium forced to person James shadiness the Pro Bowl choky end.

Prediction: It’s ne'er a dull crippled erstwhile these 2 AFC West rivals meet, particularly connected premier time. Expect different high-scoring matter that volition necessitate a game-winning drive. Herbert volition person the shot past and assistance the Chargers to a 34-31 triumph astatine SoFi Stadium.