After eight long, grueling months the LA Chargers are finally back in action this Sunday as they host the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1 of the 2022 season. The Raiders got the best of the Chargers in Week 18 to make the playoffs last season but this is an entirely new Chargers team.
Tom Telesco had the most aggressive offseason of his career this spring as the Chargers brought in loads of talent that legitimately makes them one of the most talented teams in the league.
Las Vegas also made some additions to the roster, adding the likes of Davante Adams and Chandler Jones to the fold. Vegas also has a new head coach in Josh McDaniels, who was the long-time offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots.
It is going to be an interesting game that has all the makings of being the most entertaining game on the entire Week 1 slate that is going to be one of the most bet-on games as well.
Chargers vs Raiders odds Week 1:
FanDuel Sportsbook rightfully has the LA Chargers as the favorites in this game. According to FanDuel, the Chargers are -3.5 favorites that are -184 as money line favorites. Meanwhile, Vegas is a +154 money line underdog.
Oddsmakers are also expecting this game to be a high-scoring game as well. The over/under for the game has been set at 52.5 points. The over does have better odds coming in at -104 as opposed to -114 juice on the under.
This is tied for the second-highest over/under in all of Week 1, with the Kansas City Chiefs showdown against the Arizona Cardinals checking in at 53.5 points.
Chargers vs Raiders prediction Week 1:
The Chargers have to win by more than a field goal in this game to cover and that should be something that the team is able to do. While Vegas added some nice pieces, the deck is stacked against them in terms of talent in this game.
The Chargers were a top-five scoring offense in the league last season and only got better with key additions in Zion Johnson and Gerald Everett. Meanwhile,the Raiders allowed the 26th-most points per game last season and the defense arguably got worse, even with the addition of Chandler Jones.
Jones is a big signing but after Week 1 last season he generated pressures at an average rate. He shouldn't do much against All-Pro-caliber left tackle Rashawn Slater. Maxx Crosby could have another big day but that likely won't stop LA from scoring.
Meanwhile, the Raiders have to deal with one of the worst offensive lines in the sport against a Chargers defensive line that is completely rebuilt.
This game is going to look a lot more like last year's matchup at SoFi Stadium than it will the Week 18 matchup. I am going with Chargers -3.5 and over 52.5 points with a final score prediction of Chargers 34, Raiders 21.