The Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders close out Week 2’s Monday Night Football doubleheader, and there’s plenty of money to be made on the right bets. Both teams enter the contest with pristine 1-0 records, but who will triumph when all is said and done?
Monday Night Football Week 2: Chargers-Raiders Spread, Over/Under, Best Bets
Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5) at Las Vegas Raiders
Over/Under: 45.5
The Los Angeles Chargers let Justin Herbert sling it last week, and the quarterback responded with one of the best games of the past season. Quentin Johnston looks like he’s shaking off the bust label, Ladd McConkey remains impressive, and Keenan Allen has some gas left in his tank. Combining these three and Herbert with an offensive line that more than held their own against a solid Kansas City Chiefs defensive line gives the team one of the best offenses in football.
The running game, however, could be something of an issue. First-round pick Omarion Hampton didn’t do much to impress in his season debut, but perhaps Najee Harris can help now that he’s had more time to practice with the team. Last week notwithstanding, head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman typically love running the ball and will probably try to establish the run throughout this contest.
The Raiders, meanwhile, have some pieces on this roster but nothing that can match the Chargers. Geno Smith is a solid quarterback, Jakobi Meyers is an adequate WR1, and running back Ashton Jeanty holds all the promise in the world. If tight end Brock Bowers were healthy, perhaps he’d be enough to give the Raiders a shot. However, the former first-round pick is battling a knee injury and will likely not be at full strength, even if he can play. This will be an uphill battle for the Raiders, despite playing on their own turf.
Prediction: Chargers win, cover spread
Over/Under: UNDER
Best Prop Bets
Justin Herbert: UNDER 256.5 Passing Yards
Could Justin Herbert throw for over 256.5 yards if the Chargers let him? Absolutely. However, last week’s pass-happy gameplan was probably an aberration, as Harbaugh and Roman typically prefer to beat teams on the ground. Herbert will be efficient with his passing attempts, but he probably won’t have the volume to exceed this threshold, especially when you account for the slow pace of play provided by the Raiders equally run-obsessed offense.
Ashton Jeanty: OVER 70.5 Rushing Yards
Ashton Jeanty recorded just 38 rushing yards against the New England Patriots, but he had 19 carries and played 86% of the snaps. While the results weren’t there, this high volume suggests Pete Carroll is already using him as a featured back. The Chargers defensive line isn’t as good as New England’s, and he’ll only need one or two big runs to hit the over if he keeps getting this type of volume.
Brock Bowers: UNDER 63.5 Receiving Yards
This is kind of cheating, as there’s a decent chance Bowers doesn’t play on Monday Night Football in Week 2. However, if he does suit up, don’t expect him to set the world on fire. He’s playing through an injury and only saw 51% of the snaps in Week 1. While Geno Smith targeted him when on the field, you simply can’t bet on someone who might only play half of the snaps.
Main Photo: Amanda Perobeli – Imagn Images
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