Chargers vs Raiders Prediction & Picks for NFL Week 13

The Los Angeles Chargers aided their NFL playoff prospects by eking out a win over the Arizona Cardinals last week. But can they keep the momentum going in their Week 13 matchup with the rival Las Vegas Raiders?

After back-to-back losses to two Super Bowl contenders, the Chargers were on the ropes at Arizona last Sunday and staring at a potentially devastating loss.

But a late defensive stop and a good punt return by DeAndre Carter gave Justin Herbert a very short field to work some two-minute magic, and after connecting with Austin Ekeler for a one-yard touchdown with 15 seconds left, he connected with Gerald Everett for a go-ahead two-pointer and the winning points in a 25-24 victory.

They remain on the outside looking in, as they are eighth in the AFC entering Sunday’s slate. But with the New York Jets (7-4), Cincinnati Bengals (7-4), and Miami Dolphins (8-3) all facing tough road games, a win at Allegiant Stadium could be a big boost for the Bolts.

Will L.A. pick up a valuable win, or will they leave Vegas with their playoff pursuit be left in a perilous position? Keep reading for our Chargers vs Raiders prediction.

Los Angeles Chargers vs Las Vegas Raiders Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Los Angeles Chargers (6-5, 4-2 away, 2nd in the AFC West) vs Las Vegas Raiders (4-7, 2-2 home, 3rd in the AFC West)
• Venue & Location: Allegiant Stadium (Paradise, Nevada)
• Date: Sunday, December 4, 2022
• Game Time: 4:25 pm ET (1:25 pm local time)
• How to Watch Chargers vs Raiders: CBS

Chargers vs Raiders Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Sunday, December 4, 2022, at 1:45 am ET. This article may also include odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites.

Spread

• Los Angeles Chargers +2.5 (-115)
• Las Vegas Raiders -2.5 (-105)

Over/Under

• Over 49.5 (-110)
• Under 49.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Los Angeles Chargers +110
• Las Vegas Raiders -130

Will Last Week’s Comeback Be a Turning Point for Herbert?

This season has not gone according to plan or expectation for Herbert, who entered the season expected to be one of the top NFL MVP candidates.

That almost certainly won’t come to pass, even if the Chargers run the table the rest of the way. But leading his team on a late rally and delivering a win that was desperately needed could be the catalyst for a strong finish for both he and the Chargers.

Injuries have affected his options, which does have to be taken into consideration. But his yards per attempt continues to make for rough reading, especially when it dropped back down to 5.8 against the Cardinals after he averaged 9.3 yards per attempt against the Chiefs in their Week 11 thriller.

But Keenan Allen is back in action, having played in the last two games after missing seven of the Bolts’ first nine games, and Carter (seven catches, 73 yards, TD) and Josh Palmer (five catches, 56 yards) stepped up with some key contributions against the Cardinals.

One of Herbert’s best games of the season came against the Raiders in Week 1, when he went 26 of 34 for 279 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-19 win at SoFi Stadium.

In five career games against the Raiders, Herbert has thrown 13 touchdown passes and only one interception.

Will Jacobs Continue to Run Wild?

After rushing for 229 yards and two touchdowns, including a walk-off 86-yard jaunt in overtime, in last week’s win over the Seattle Seahawks, Josh Jacobs leads the NFL in rushing yards with 1,159, over 100 ahead of Derrick Henry (1,049) and Nick Chubb (1,039).

Jacobs is listed as questionable due to a calf issue and was limited in practice leading up to the game, but he was dealing with his injury when he ran wild against Seattle, so there should be no concerns about if he will play against the Chargers and how he will fare.

Jacobs has done most of his damage this season in two chunks. In October, he ran for 441 yards and six touchdowns across three games against the Broncos, Chiefs, and Texans. And in his last two games, he has tallied 338 yards.

Another big game might be on the horizon for Jacobs, as the Chargers don’t defend the run very well. They are 28th in yards allowed per carry (4.6), 30th in rushing yards allowed per game (138.9), and tied for 29th in rushing touchdowns allowed (22).

Jacobs is also having his best season as a pass-catcher, and he had six catches for 74 yards against Seattle. Jacobs has had multiple catches in his last nine games, and he has had three or more catches in all but one of those games.

Los Angeles Chargers vs Las Vegas Raiders Prediction and Picks

Chargers vs Raiders Prediction: Raiders to win

Chargers vs Raiders Picks: Raiders ML (Best Value: -130 at BetOnline) & Josh Jacobs total rushing yards over (Best Value: over 90.5 @ -103 at Bovada Sportsbook)

Other than a three-game win streak in October, the Chargers have been pretty disappointing and inconsistent, so I’m not particularly moved by their rally to beat the Cardinals.

Were they catching the Raiders at a different time, I might be inclined to back them with my prediction & picks. But the Raiders seem to be figuring things out somewhat, even if it is too late to make a difference for their season.

Jacobs may be dinged up, but he didn’t let it stop him from having a monster day against Seattle. And it won’t stop him from carving up the Chargers and delivering a detrimental result for the Bolts’ hopes of reaching the postseason for the first time since 2018.

Other NFL Week 13 Content at Betting News

• NFL Week 13 Odds
• NFL Week 13 Picks
• Anytime Touchdown Scorer Bets for NFL Week 13
• Chiefs vs Bengals Prediction & Picks
• Broncos vs Ravens Prediction & Picks
• Colts vs Cowboys Prediction & Picks (Week 13 Sunday Night Football)
• Saints vs Buccaneers Prediction & Picks (Week 13 Monday Night Football)