ClutchPoints
The Los Angeles Chargers are fresh off a bye week and will host the Las Vegas Raiders for an AFC West clash on Sunday afternoon. Los Angeles is 7-4 on the season, coming off a miserable 35-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Raiders are 2-9 on the season, losers of five in a row. Their last win came against the Tennessee Titans back in Week 6.
The Raiders defeated the New England Patriots in Week 1 and seemed as if they could be a competitive team in the AFC this season. That has not really been the case; however, three of their losses came by three points or fewer against teams that will likely be in the playoffs (Bears, Broncos, Jaguars). The first time the Raiders played the Chargers was in Week 2 in Las Vegas, where the Bolts won 20-9 on Monday Night Football. Geno Smith threw three interceptions in the loss.
This is a game that the Chargers cannot afford to lose. After what happened against the Jags, the team is going to aim to bounce back in a big way. The Raiders’ defense has not played well this season, and the Chargers must find ways to reach the end zone often. They need to get their rhythm back. This is not the same team we watched in the first three weeks of the season when it seemed as if they could be a real threat in the AFC. A big win against the Raiders would improve their record to 8-4.
There is a chance that rookie running back Omarion Hampton returns to action this Sunday as well.
Let’s go over some bold predictions for this Week 13 contest in Los Angeles.
There is a chance that Hampton does not play, despite Jim Harbaugh opening up his activation window. He’s been out since the Week 5 loss to the Washington Commanders with an ankle injury.
If Hampton does play, he should get a decent number of touches. Kimani Vidal has done a great job filling in for him and should still get a good amount of carries. However, Hampton is a star in the making and looked very good early on in the season. Hampton will find the end zone in what should be a big win for the Chargers on Sunday against a weak opponent.
Normally, this would not be considered a bold prediction for a talent like this. However, Maxx Crosby has not finished with a sack in three of his last five games and only has one two-sack game against the Titans. He remains on pace to have more than he did last season (7.5), although he only played in 12 games. In 2022, Crosby ended with 12.5 sacks, and he improved in 2023 by finishing with 14.5. Since his rookie season, Crosby has been an elite pass rusher...
