Los Angeles Chargers: Staff predictions vs. Oakland Raiders

After two big wins, the Los Angeles Chargers are on a short week as they take on the Oakland Raiders in Oakland on Thursday night.

The Los Angeles Chargers‘ playoff hopes appeared to be completely erased after the team started 2-5 in the most Chargers way possible, losing games that they should have won and easily could have been 5-2.

Heck, as a Charger fan myself I even wrote them off because of the way they were playing and losing. While teams have come from 2-5 or worse to make the playoffs before, I had no hope that this team could turn it around.

So far they have as they narrowly defeated the Chicago Bears with some luck of their own and came out to play and spanked the Green Bay Packers. Now, at 4-5 in the mediocre AFC, the playoffs are a possibility, although the Chargers would have to lose two games at most the rest of the year.

That makes Thursday night’s game against the Oakland Raiders so important. The Raiders are also in the hunt at 4-4 and the Chargers cannot afford to lose to them. Here is how the LA Sports Hub staff sees it going down.

Jamaal Artis (8-4): 27-17, Oakland Raiders

The LA Chargers get to host the rival Oakland Raiders for the last time before the Raiders move to Las Vegas. The Chargers have yet to lose to the Raiders since moving to Los Angeles two years ago.

This year has been markedly different for both teams. The Raiders are 4-4 with an outside chance to make the playoffs, while the Chargers are 4-5 on the outside looking in for the playoffs they are riding a two-game winning streak.

It won’t feel like a home game for the Chargers, it never does but expect Raider Nation to really take over Dignity Health Park as thousands of local Raiders fans give the game a home game feeling for the Silver and Black.

Hil Lopez (7-8): 27-24, Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers look to make it three wins in a row when they face the Raiders this Thursday night.

Philip Rivers did well in leading the Bolts to a 26-11 defeat of the Packers with a mix of good running plays and efficient passing ones too. With their defense getting healthier, they look to put pressure on the Raiders’ front line who may be without starting center Rodney Hudson.

The Raiders look to win a second consecutive game after a goal-line stand against the Lions. Oakland has been better than advertised this year and looks to put up a good fight with a good running game and passing attack.

Although, I do see the more experienced team the Chargers pulling out a close one, 27-24.

Redan Lopez (7-8): 24-21, Oakland Raiders

Both teams are right behind the Chiefs and need to keep pace to attempt to stay in the playoff hunt. The loser will be devastated. While the Chargers surprised the Packers last week, they won’t shock the Raiders. Josh Jacobs will run over all over them. Chargers QB Phillip Rivers will attempt to lead a comeback that will fall short.

Jason Reed (8-9): 26-23, Oakland Raiders

Yes, I am a fan of the Los Angeles Chargers and are picking against them against the rivaled Oakland Raiders. If you follow me outside of LA Sports Hub, you would know why I am doing this.

I am 0-6 in my last six real-life gambling picks in Las Vegas. It has felt like I have some sort of curse that if I bet on a team to win they are going to lose.

So in this game I am going to go with the Raiders, hoping to send some bad mojo their way that will hopefully lead to a Chargers win.