SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

BY ADAM GREENE

We’ve saved the best for last as the only playoff game to get into the playoffs will be broadcast to a rapt and exhausted national audience as the Los Angeles Chargers face off against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday Night Football.

Here’s the deal before Cris Collinsworth slides into frame. The math for each team is simple. You win and you’re in. There is a scenario where both teams could make it with a tie if the Indianapolis Colts lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the early window Sunday. By the time this game kicks off, we’ll know if that’s on the table or not. If they do tie and the Colts win, then the Chargers sneak in as the seventh seed. For the record, they have tied twice, once in 1970 and in 1972.

This will be the 125^th all time meeting between the old AFL franchises. The Raiders hold a 66-56-2 advantage. The Chargers have won the last two with a 28-10 win coming on Oct. 4. Justin Herbert finished 25 of 38 for 222 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Austin Ekeler rushed for 117 yards and a score. Jared Cook caught six passes for 70 yards and a TD. Derek Carr was good for 196 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. Josh Jacobs rushed for just 40 yards and Hunter Renfrow caught six passes for 45 yards and a TD.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (+3, O/U: 50)

Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev.

Broadcast: NBC

Kickoff: Jan. 2, 8:20 p.m.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (9-7)

The Chargers bounced back from a horrendous loss to the Houston Texans to obliterate the Denver Broncos 34-13 last Sunday. Justin Herbert threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Austin Ekeler rushed 17 times for 58 yards and a TD. Mike Williams caught three passes for 63 yards and a score. LA’s defense sacked Drew Lock once, forced a fumble and held the Broncos to just 83 yards on the ground.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (9-7)

Thanks to Carson Wentz catching Covid just five days before kick off, the Raiders were able to stay alive for the playoffs with a 23-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Carr finished the day 24 of 31 for 255 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Jacobs rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown and Zay Jones caught eight passes for 120 yards. Vegas’ defense sacked Wentz once and teamed with Covid to hold him to just 158 total yards.

THE PICK

The fact that the Raiders, after the absolutely insane season they had off the field, are still playing for something on it says a lot about the players they’ve managed to keep on the roster through 18 weeks. But asking them to win this one, against Herbert and a potent LA offense and defense, is a little much. I say Brandon Staley makes the playoffs in his first season just like his old boss Sean McVay did with the Los Angeles Rams. Chargers 27, Raiders 20

Last Week

Straight up: 14-2

Against the spread: 8-8

Season

Straight up: 159-96-1

Against the spread: 183-123

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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