CHARGERS (10-6) at RAIDERS (4-12)
When: Sunday, 1:25 p.m.
Where: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
TV/radio: KCBS (Ch. 2)/98.7 FM; 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (Spanish)
Line: Chargers by 4.5 points
Notable injury designations
Chargers: OUT: RB Gus Edwards (ankle), WR Joshua Palmer (foot). DOUBTFUL: LB Denzel Perryman (groin). QUESTIONABLE: Alohi Gilman (hamstring).
Raiders: OUT: RB Ameer Abdullah (foot). QUESTIONABLE: CB Nate Hobbs (illness), G Jordan Meredith (ankle).
What’s at stake: The Chargers clinched an AFC wild-card berth with a 40-7 rout of the New England Patriots in Week 17. If the Cincinnati Bengals defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers in their regular-season finale Saturday, the Chargers could improve their seeding from sixth to fifth with a victory Sunday over the Raiders. If the Chargers are locked into sixth, it’s possible Coach Jim Harbaugh could rest his starters for the regular-season finale. The Raiders have won two in a row, jeopardizing their chances at picking first overall in the NFL draft.
Who’s better: The Chargers were the better team in Week 1, when they handled the Raiders during a 22-10 victory. They’re the better team in Week 18, too. The Chargers have the league’s stingiest defense, giving up an average of 17.6 points per game. The Raiders have given up 25 points per game (24th). The Chargers’ turnover margin of plus-11 is tied for fourth. The Raiders’ turnover margin of minus-15 is 30th. Justin Herbert has thrown 21 touchdown passes and only three interceptions. Raiders quarterbacks have combined to throw 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Matchup to watch: So much depends on whether the Chargers are playing to win, as Harbaugh said they would. But he also said they would take things “day by day,” as they prepared for their regular-season finale. If they’re locked into the sixth-seeded spot, then you can expect some starters to rest in preparation for their wild-card game. Other starters, including and especially Herbert, might want to play in order to stay sharp heading into the playoffs. So, let’s just say the biggest matchup to watch in Week 18 is the twin theories of rest versus activity.
Chargers win if: The Chargers owe the Raiders a punch in the mouth from the 63-21 beatdown Las Vegas handed them Dec. 14, 2023, a humiliating defeat. Then again, maybe the Chargers owe the Raiders a thank-you note. After all, it was the loss that prompted the firing of Brandon Staley as coach and Tom Telesco as general manager and the hiring of Harbaugh as coach and Joe Hortiz as GM. Telesco landed on his feet as Raiders GM, by the way.
Fantasy sleeper: Running back J.K. Dobbins is one Charger who might play no matter what, given his four-game layoff because of a sprained knee. He looked great while rushing for 76 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries against the Patriots in Week 17. The Chargers need him and Gus Edwards healthy for the playoffs. Edwards sat out against New England because of an ankle injury. So, cutting to the chase, let’s go with rookie running back Kimani Vidal as our fantasy sleeper for Week 18. He’s liable to get plenty of snaps.
Prediction: The Chargers have lost three consecutive game in Las Vegas, including the aforementioned blowout last season. The Chargers’ only victory at Allegiant Stadium since the Raiders moved from Oakland was a 30-27 overtime win Dec. 17, 2020. If this game is meaningful, expect the Chargers to fire on all cylinders. If not, it could be a showcase for their backups. Chargers 27, Raiders 17.