TNF PREVIEW: LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

BY ADAM GREENE

A weekend full of featured games begins with one with major playoff implications as the Los Angeles Chargers venture across the Mojave Desert to Sin City itself as they face the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday Night Football.

While the Chargers are out of playoff contention, the Raiders are right on the cusp of the current bracket and can not afford to stumble here in the NFL’s final three weeks.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (-3.5, O/U: 53)

Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev.

Kickoff: Dec. 17, 8:20 p.m. EST

Broadcast: FOX/NFL Network

THE HISTORY

As two of the founding AFL franchises, the Raiders and Chargers have played plenty since 1960. This will be the 123^rd overall meeting between the two teams with Las Vegas currently holding a 65-54-2 advantage.

In spite of playing in the same league, conference and even division for the last 60 years, they’ve only met once in the postseason, an epic 34-27 Raiders win in the 1980-81 AFC Championship Game. The then Oakland Raiders would go on to win Super Bowl XV over the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10.

The Raiders are currently riding a three-game win streak over LA after dropping the four previous contests. Their last meeting was a 31-26 Las Vegas victory on Nov. 8. Raiders QB Derek Carr was 13 of 23 for 165 yards and two touchdowns with no picks. Devontae Booker and Josh Jacobs teamed up for 133 yards and two TDs.

Justin Herbert threw for 326 yards and two touchdowns. Keenan Allen caught nine passes for 103 yards and a score.

LOS ANGELES CHAGERS (4-9)

The Chargers should be sliding into the “sim to free agency” mode on Madden, but this team still has some fight in them. Last week they knocked off the visiting Atlanta Falcons 20-17. Head coach Anthony Lynn is likely (and rightly) head coaching in his final games in the NFL, for whatever good that will do. Herbert, for what it’s worth, has probably already sealed the deal on the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award with Joe Burrow out for the season. Against the Falcons, the first-year QB threw for 243 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. Austin Ekelar led the team in rushing and receiving, running for 79 yards and catching 67 yards worth of passes.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (7-6)

It’s been a rough four-week stretch for the Raiders, who dropped a thriller to the Kansas City Chiefs, 35-31, only to be embarrassed by the Falcons 43-6 seven days later. A last-minute win over the New York Jets saved their season because last Sunday they were barely in the game with the Indianapolis Colts, losing 44-27. Carr threw for 316 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the loss. Nelson Agholor caught five passes for 100 yards and a TD.

THE PICK

Las Vegas simply has to win this game to have anything to play for over the next couple of weeks. They still have a possible playoff berth on the table and a game against the Miami Dolphins next week to gain some serious ground. Los Angeles, on the other hand, has to be fighting the urge every day to take the horses to the barn. I think that’s what happens here. Raiders 31, Chargers 20

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