Point spread: The Chargers opened as four-point favorites; the total was 47 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).
NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 29.5-18.3 Chargers
Why the Raiders can cover the spread
Oakland opened this season with a bad loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and then won two in a row. While it's now lost two straight, those defeats came by a total of eight points. Three weeks ago, the Raiders fell at Chicago 22-20 on a Bears field goal with two seconds left, and two weeks ago, they lost at home to Denver 16-10, the winning margin coming on a Broncos interception return for a score.
Oakland then had last week off.
The Raiders trailed Denver just 9-7 well into the fourth quarter and were driving for the go-ahead score, but quarterback Derek Carr threw behind a receiver on a 3rd-and-5 and had it taken back for a Broncos pick-six. On the day, Oakland held the ball for over 34 minutes, but three turnovers and two missed field goals proved costly.
Why the Chargers can cover the spread
The Chargers just lost at Green Bay last week 27-20, but they basically outplayed the Packers and covered the spread as 10-point road dogs. San Diego fell down early 14-3, battled back to tie the game at 17-17 midway through the third quarter and ultimately came up two yards short of forcing overtime. Powered once again by the arm and will of quarterback Philip Rivers, the Chargers outgai...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
