Predicting the Chargers final three games of the 2021 regular season
By Jason Reed
LA Chargers 30, Las Vegas Raiders 21
The LA Chargers beat the Las Vegas Raiders pretty easily the first time these two teams squared off and that is when the Raiders were peaking. Since then, the Raiders have turned into one of the most inconsistent teams in the league that is somehow still in the playoff hunt at 7-7.
Because of how crowded the AFC is and how many potential playoff teams play each other down the stretch, there is a pretty good chance that the Raiders will still have some kind of chance at the playoffs in Week 18. If they lose to both the Broncos and the Colts then they will definitely be out of the picture, and might end up starting Marcus Mariota.
However, if they just split one of those two games then they will be going for a 9-8 record to make the playoffs. The Chargers will already be 10-6 by our estimations, so they don't have to worry about the Raiders taking their spot.
You could make the case that the Chargers should rest the starters in this game if they win the next two, especially if they have a playoff spot secured. While that is definitely on the table, if the Chiefs lose one of the next two games then the Chargers could win the AFC West by winning in Week 18 and the Chiefs losing to the Broncos.
That probably won't happen but at the end of the day, there is a better chance that the Chargers have something to play for in Week 18 and play the starters. That is why we are so sure that they will get the best of the Raiders once more.