Two backup quarterbacks will square off on Thursday night, and we're diving deeper into the matchup with our Chargers-Raiders parlay picks based on the best NFL odds from our best sports betting apps.
We'll just be a young Keanu Reeves short of finally getting a sequel for The Replacements over 20 years later on Thursday.
In an alternate universe, an AFC West clash between the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers would feature Justin Herbert and the more effective Jimmy Garoppolo from his San Francisco 49ers run. But the former is now out for the season with a finger injury, and the latter descended to backup status fast (though that could change soon).
Keenan Allen is out too, leaving another crater-sized hole in the Chargers' offense. It should all lead to little scoring, and greater opportunities for two key Chargers skill players.
To accompany our Chagers-Raiders prediction and Chargers-Raiders player props, here are our best Chargers-Raiders parlay predictions (odds via our best NFL betting sites; Pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Chargers vs. Raiders parlay for TNF
(Odds via bet365)
- Under 34.5 (-110) ????
- Austin Ekeler Over 48.5 (-110) ????
- Gerald Everett Over 29.5 receiving yards (-110) ???
Combined odds: +650 via bet365
Not intended for use in MA
Affiliate Disclosure: Sportsbook Review may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook
SGP predictions for Chargers vs. Raiders
It takes some creative thinking to imagine where the points will come from in this game. Sure, it's certainly possible that both backup QBs can dink and dunk their way to clearing low yardage totals, as we outlined in our Aidan O'Connell player props and Easton Stick player props. But consistently turning that yardage into points could prove to be a Herculean task.
The Raiders are especially horrendous in that regard, ranking 28th while averaging just 15.5 points per game. Their already stumbling offense has plunged to new lows recently, hurting eyes everywhere during a 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Las Vegas is averaging a mere 10 points per outing throughout a three-game losing streak. And even the team's last win-a 16-12 triumph over the New York Jets in Week 10-didn't exactly feature an offensive explosion.
O'Connell has been under siege behind a weak offensive line, and that won't change on Thursday with a Chargers defense that sits second leaguewide in sack s (43) ready to tee off. The rookie passer was dropped a stunning seven times when these teams last met, and the Vikings took him down four times in Week 14.
Meanwhile, life without both Herbert and Allen will be difficult for a Chargers offense that was already limping recently, with a lowly 23 points over the team's last three games. That includes a 6-0 dud win over the New England Patriots in Week 13. Now Los Angeles will be going up against the league's 10th-ranked defense in points allowed without a lynchpin in Allen, the faraway NFL target leader at 150 (Michael Pittman is second at 138).
Visit our Google News page and click “Follow” (?) for the latest odds, picks and news!
Someone needs to take the lead for a depleted Chargers offense. Yes, the 2023 version of Austin Ekeler hasn't looked capable of leading anything while averaging a career low 3.7 yards per carry.
But the Raiders rank 25th while coughing up 127.4 rushing yards per game, making that the clear path for an offense with a rookie quarterback in his first start to move the ball. Ekeler has cashed the Over here recently against two similarly poor rush defenses, posting 64 yards against the 31st-ranked Green Bay Packers, and 51 against the 32nd-ranked Denver Broncos.
That success, combined with the matchup and Ekeler's surely increased role, has no doubt led to a 56.5 rushing yards projection from NumberFire.
There's value in being steady and reliable, yet unspectacular. That describes both Gerald Everett's entire career, and his 2023 season amid difficult circumstances.
Everett has missed several games with an injury, and he's dealt with the general dysfunction of the Chargers' offense. Adding to that latter hurdle now are the various injuries around him, most notably to Herbert. And yet Ever ett has still cleared this low receiving yards total five times, and most importantly, he's done it in three straight games while averaging 42 yards, with four-plus catches in each contest.
He's experienced a swift uptick in target volume too when Herbert went out, with the inexperienced Stick leaning on his tight end as a security blanket. Everett was given a season-high eight targets during a Week 14 loss to the Denver Broncos, turning that into five catches for 39 yards.
He's now set to be one of the few established healthy options on an offense without Allen. Toss in a Raiders defense that ranks 21st against tight ends, and everything is lining up well for the veteran.
Chargers-Raiders SGP picks made 12/13/2023 at 3:48 p.m. ET.
Editor's note: Get ready for the launch of Vermont sports betting with our best Vermont sportsbook pr omos, and be sure to download the best Vermont sports betting apps! 21+ and present in VT. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Check out our best NFL betting sites:
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUS1000 | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- BetRivers Promo Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetRivers Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Related pages
- Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)