3 best prop bets for Chargers vs. Raiders in Week 1 (Hammer Mike Williams)
By Jason Reed
The LA Chargers host the Las Vegas Raiders in one of the most anticipated games on the Week 1 slate. Both teams made big additions this offseason and this game is a rematch from last year's instant Week 18 classic.
We have already given our picks both against the spread and the point total for this game but that is not the only opportunity to make money. There are also three prop bets that we are targeting as the best of the best in this matchup.
*Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
1. Mike Williams prop bet: OVER 59.5 receiving yards (-114)
The first prop bet I will be targeting will be Mike Williams' receiving yards total. Williams had a breakout season with the Chargers last year that netted him a three-year, $60 million contract. The problem with Williams oftentimes was that he either had a massive game or a very quiet game. That makes a receiving yards prop a risky pick.
Williams was targeted 17 times in the Week 18 matchup last season and finished with 119 receiving yards. While he likely won't be targeted another 17 times, he should get enough looks to hit 60 receiving yards.
Williams hit 60 receiving yards in nine of 16 games played last season as well as hitting over 60 receiving yards in Week 1 in each of the last two years.
2. Josh Jacobs prop bet: Under 49.5 rushing yards (-114)
The Chargers had one of the worst run defenses in the league last season. General manager Tom Telesco went out and beefed up the defensive line, bringing in stout interior defensive lineman in Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson. Add Khalil Mack to the mix as well and the Chargers have a rebuilt D-line that is capable of stopping the run.
The Raiders have one of the worst offensive lines in the league and was one of the worst rushing teams last season as a result. Las Vegas finished 28th in the league in total rushing yards last season.
While Jacobs did pick up 132 yards on the ground in the Week 18 matchup between these two teams, the Chargers' run defense is much better and the game situation should be different. Instead of protecting a lead and handing the ball off, this game has the makings of a shootout, which will favor the passing game for both teams.
For that reason, this game looks much more likely to be like Jacobs' first game against the Chargers last season, where he carried the ball 13 times for 40 yards.
3. Derek Carr prop bet: Over 4.5 rushing yards (-130)
Josh Jacobs won't hit his rushing yards total but the quarterback will. With a bad offensive line and a great pass-rush, Derek Carr is going to be running for his life in this game and should have multiple instances where he scrambles out of the pocket for 3-4 yards.
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Carr might not be known as a mobile quarterback but he can pick up yards with his legs. The Vegas quarterback has picked up a combined 248 yards on the ground over the last two seasons, which is an average of 7.5 yards per game.