The Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers are both 1-0 to start the season and will now square off for an AFC West showdown at Allegiant Stadium on Monday night.
The Raiders notched a 20-13 victory over the New England Patriots on the road in Week 1 to get the Pete Carroll era off on the right foot. Las Vegas very clearly has some things to clean up, but it was an encouraging performance and result nonetheless.
Los Angeles had a much more impressive win in their season-opener in Brazil, as the Chargers soundly beat the reigning AFC champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, thanks to Justin Herbert’s outstanding performance.
This is going to be the 132nd meeting between the Chargers and Raiders. Las Vegas is no doubt looking for some revenge after losing both of last year’s matchups with Los Angeles.
The last time the Raiders lost two in a row to the Chargers, they went on to win the next contest to prevent a three-game losing streak.
Here’s what experts think will go down in the contest.
Raiders vs. Chargers picks and predictions
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: Chargers 27, Raiders 20
Iyer: “Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll renew their Pac-12 and NFC West rivalry on the sidelines for two 1-0 teams in the AFC West. The offenses also are much more balanced and explosive. Justin Herbert has a little more on his side and in the battle of rookie running backs, Omarion Hampton has it better than Asthon Jeanty in this matchup.”
Bill Bender, The Sporting News: Chargers 24, Raiders 17
Bender: “The Jim Harbaugh-Pete Carroll dynamic is back with two AFC West rivals. Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is an injury worth watching, but this should be the same-as-usual heated matchup. Justin Herbert is 2-2 S/U in four career road starts against the Raiders. Get ready for a tight one-score game.”
ESPN
- Stephania Bell: Chargers
- Matt Bowen: Chargers
- Mike Clay: Chargers
- Jeremy Fowler: Chargers
- Dan Graziano: Chargers
- Kalyn Kahler: Chargers
- Pamela Maldonado: Chargers
- Eric Moody: Chargers
- Jason Reid: Raiders
- Lindsey Thiry: Chargers
- Seth Wickersham: Raiders
NFL.com
- Ali Bhanpuri: Chargers (21-20)
- Tom Blair: Chargers (25-20)
- Brooke Cersosimo: Chargers (26-22)
- Gennaro Filice: Chargers (30-20)
- Dan Parr: Chargers (25-21)
CBS Sports
- Pete Prisco: Chargers
- Cody Benjamin: Chargers
- Jared Dubin: Chargers
- Ryan Wilson: Chargers
- John Breech: Chargers
- Tyler Sullivan: Chargers
- Dave Richard: Chargers
- Jamey Eisenberg: Chargers
MMQB
- Clare Brennan: Chargers
- Mitch Goldich: Chargers
- Gilberto Manzano: Chargers
- Connor Orr: Chargers
- John Pluym: Chargers
- Matt Verderame: Chargers
Number of experts picking Chargers: 30
Number of experts picking Raiders: 2
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