Raiders vs. Chargers Final Score Prediction for NFL Week 1 (Las Vegas is a real underdog

A big AFC West clash in Week 1? I'm in.

The Las Vegas Raiders begin their first full season in the Antonio Pierce era on Sunday against the newly formed Los Angeles Chargers with head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Bookmakers expect a close game between two teams that did not make the playoffs in the 2023 season.

While the Chargers are favored at home, the Raiders could be buoyant after a record above .500 in the games Pierce coached last season. With Gardner Minshew at quarterback, Las Vegas has more upside than it does in 2023 with Jimmy Garoppolo and Aidan O'Connell.

Let's try to predict the final result of this clash using the latest odds. This should help us figure out which side to bet on in Week 1.

Spread

Money line

In total

Opportunities via DraftKings Sportsbook.

That total has dropped dramatically over the course of the week, starting at 42 and dropping to 40 before kickoff on Sunday.

There are many questions on both teams' offenses, and new Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh will likely try to establish the running game, with some uncertainty at the receiver position.

Could we see a tough fight in this AFC West battle?

Call me crazy, but I think Las Vegas has a chance to pull off the upset in this game.

Minshew went 7-6 last season as a starter for the Indianapolis Colts and nearly made the playoffs. He has a solid receiver team around him in Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers and rookie tight end Brock Bowers.

Meanwhile, the Chargers let their two top targets (Keenan Allen and Mike Williams) as well as their No. 1 running back (Austin Ekeler) go in the offseason.

The newly formed offensive around Justin Herbert raises many questions in the first week.

In addition, the Chargers did not exactly shine on the scoreboard in 2023, finishing 21st in total points.

Based on the spread prediction, it should be a close game and we know that the Chargers did not have the best home field advantage in Los Angeles.

I think the Raiders can spring an upset in Week 1.

Final score prediction: Raiders 20, Chargers 16

The odds are updated regularly and are subject to change.

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