Los Angeles Chargers: Staff predictions for Raiders-Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers and Oakland Raiders face off in Week 5 with only one game separating them in the standings but a long mile separating them talent-wise.

The Los Angeles Chargers are much better than the team’s 2-2 record indicates. The team’s two losses came against the NFL’s only two unbeaten teams, the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs.

Meanwhile, the Oakland Raiders’ 1-3 record is a little flattering to how good the team really is. The Raiders edged out a win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 4 to give Jon Gruden his first win in his new head coaching tenure.

To be fair, the Raiders have been in all three of their losses by halftime and could have beaten the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins. However, the team really does not have many weapons and Gruden’s decision-making has been questioned.

The Raiders probably should be 0-4. Am I a tad biased because I write about the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams? Sure. Regardless, the Chargers are understandably the favorites in this contest.

With a nice stretch of schedule coming up, the Chargers need to capitalize on this game and gain some momentum with a second consecutive win. The LA Sports Hub staff got together to predict how the game will go for LA.

Jeremy Bezich (5-0): 24-20, Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers need to string a few wins together to keep pace with Kansas City in the AFC West. This is another game they should win. The Raiders haven’t been good this year. The Chargers win a close one in front of a Raider dominant crowd in Carson.

Lamarr Fields (5-1): 35-24, Los Angeles Chargers

Melvin Gordon will have a big day on a Raiders defense that missed 16 tackles last week. Philip Rivers will have strong game passing due to Raiders lack of pass rush.

Hil Lopez (0-0): 27-24, Los Angeles Chargers

Coming off an emotional 29-27 win against the 49ers, the Chargers take on the Raiders in a divisional tilt at StubHub Center.

Philip Rivers continued his gun-slinging ways throwing for over 250 yards and two touchdowns after throwing an early pick-six.

Paced by a consistent dosage of running back Melvin Gordon in the pass and run game, and Keenan Allen lurking in the shadows of the passing game, the Chargers look to shake off routine bad starts to the year and get over .500 with a win here.

On the other hand, the Raiders are coming off a hard-fought win 45-42 at home against the Browns. Derek Carr was spectacular as he threw for over 400+ yards and four touchdowns. Marshawn Lynch rushed for over 100+ yards and had moments looking like Beast Mode.

The Raiders at 1-3 look for their second consecutive win for head coach Jon Gruden. I predict the Chargers will win this game 27-24

Redan Lopez (3-0): 34-31, Chargers

This game is going to be a shootout. Two bad defenses – the Raiders are old & the Chargers are having a tough time creating a pass rush without Joey Bosa.

Derek Carr and Philip Rivers should have great games. Though the difference will be in a field goal, considering the problems the Chargers have on special teams. Rivers will lead a late charge to grab the win.

Jason Reed (4-2): 36-30, Los Angeles Chargers

After watching the game last week, I cannot trust the Los Angeles Chargers to win games by as much as they should. Even against the Buffalo Bills, the Chargers could have scored another 20 points and just took the foot off the gas.

The game against the 49ers was different but reinforced my ideology that most wins for the Chargers this season are going to be in close games. This is going to be one of those games.

The Chargers will put up some weird score, like 36 points, because of the team’s disastrous kicking situation. This would take five touchdowns, two missed extra points and a field goal.

That sounds about right and the Chargers will narrowly win a shootout against the Raiders in which offense will be dominant.