Chargers vs. Raiders Week 18 Picks: Who Will Earn Playoff Spot?

A playoff spot is on the line Sunday night as the Los Angeles Chargers visit the Las Vegas Raiders in an AFC West contest. Let's dive into this matchup in our Chargers-Raiders picks.

The Chargers have had their ups and downs en route to a 9-7 record. They recorded impressive wins at Kansas City and Cincinnati, but a crushing Week 16 loss at Houston leaves them scrambling for a playoff spot with only one game remaining.

However, the Chargers can secure their spot with a win at Las Vegas in Week 18, and they defeated the Raiders 28-14 in Week 4. Despite owning the same record, the Chargers have a much better point differential of plus-18 compared to the Raiders' minus-68.

Meanwhile, three straight wins - at Cleveland, vs. Denver, and at Indianapolis - have the Raiders in a position to make the postseason with a victory here. (It's possible for them to sneak in with a tie or loss, but that would be predicated on Indianapolis losing at Jacksonville.)

Both teams are relatively healthy, and there's some hope that Raiders tight end Darren Waller can return for the first time since Thanksgiving after battling knee and back injuries.

Here are my picks and predictions for the Week 18 NFL matchup on Sunday night between the Chargers and Raiders (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook; pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5 star scale).

Chargers vs. Raiders Game Info

Date/Time: Sunday, Jan. 9, 8:20 p.m. ETTV: NBCLocation: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NVWeather: Indoors

Chargers vs. Raiders Odds Analysis

There has been a move during the week toward the favored Chargers. Los Angeles opened as a 2-point favorite, and the spread is now up to 3 at FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM - but it costs a little extra: -115 on DraftKings and BetMGM and -112 at FanDuel.

The total sits at 49.5, which is the highest on the board for Week 18. The Chargers rank sixth in the league in points for (27.6 per game) and allow the sixth-most points against (26.5 per game). Meanwhile, the Raiders allow the eighth-most points against (25.4 per game) and rank 18th in points for (21.2 points per game).

Chargers vs. Raiders Picks

Chargers -3 (-112) ???Over 49.5 (-110) ???

SEE ALSO: NFL Week 18 Odds, Lines, and Picks

Chargers vs. Raiders Predictions

Chargers -3 (-112)

One thing to note for this matchup is that the Chargers have a higher ceiling. Second-year quarterback Justin Herbert leads the AFC with 4,631 passing yards, just ahead of Derek Carr's 4,618. However, Herbert has thrown 35 touchdown passes compared to Carr's 21.

Chargers running back Austin Ekeler has been a productive dual-threat, putting up 1,459 yards from scrimmage to go along with 18 touchdowns. He gashed the Raiders for 145 yards and two touchdowns on 18 touches in Week 4. The Chargers also have two wide receivers with more than 1,000 yards in Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

The Raiders also have options, though. Carr's passing yardage total is a career high, and running back Josh Jacobs has 1,076 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games. Wide receiver Hunter Renfrow has stepped up with 43 catches for 501 yards in the last six games, and the Raiders' passing attack could be even better if Waller returns. However, Foster Moreau has been a competent replacement.

Over 49.5 (-110)

The Raiders have hit a total of 50 or more in four of eight home games this season, while the Chargers have a total of 50 points or more in four of seven road games.

Considering both teams have a decent number of offensive weapons and a tendency to surrender points, this game could go Over, even with the highest total on the board.

SEE ALSO: All picks and odds. Be sure to check out SportsbookReview.com's community forums and betting tools.

Chargers-Raiders picks made on 1/7/2022 at 12:45 p.m. ET.