Raiders at Bolts Pick
AFC West rivals clash at Qualcomm Stadium this Sunday when the San Diego Chargers host the Oakland Raiders at 4:05PM ET.
The Raiders lost to the Jets 36-0 as 6-point underdogs in Week 7. Bruce Gradkowski replaced the ineffective JaMarcus Russell at quarterback and threw for just 97 yards with an interception. Justin Fargas managed 67 yards on eight carries in the loss.
The Chargers crushed the Chiefs 37-7 last Sunday as 5.5-point favorites. Philip Rivers threw for 268 yards with three touchdowns in the win, while Vincent Jackson caught five passes for 142 yards and a touchdown.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com have made the Chargers 17-point favorites over the Raiders in Week 8. The over/under total for this game has been set at 41.5 points.
The Raiders have decided to stick with Russell at quarterback, which is a good thing for bettors because he often provides ample opportunities for his opponents to score. In their loss last week to the Jets, Russell turned the ball over multiple times in the first half and New York capitalized by cruising to a big first half lead.
If Oakland can’t compete with a struggling Jets team at home, then its not going to stand much of a chance on the road against a rebounding San Diego team. Seventeen points is a lot to give up for a Chargers team that has been average at best, but don’t forget that the Giants were 16-point favorites four weeks ago against Oakland and covered easily.
Lay the points – Rivers and the Bolts should roll in this one as long as they don’t turn the ball over. Oakland can’t score, so as long as San Diego doesn’t put a goose egg on the board in the first half, the Chargers should cash in for bettors.
Our NFL Week 8 Free Pick for this matchup is: SAN DIEGO CHARGERS -17 and UNDER 41.5.
Raiders at Chargers Current Odds
223 Oakland Raiders +17 Over 41.5
224 San Diego Chargers –17 Under 41.5
Oakland is 6-19 SU in its last 25 games on the road
Oakland is 2-11 ATS in its last 13 games when playing San Diego
San Diego is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Oakland
San Diego is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Oakland
Oakland Raiders
Ricky Brown LB Out Week 8 (ankle)
Nick Miller WR Out Week 8 (shin)
San Diego Chargers
No Injuries to report.
Posted: 11/1/09 2:30PM ET