AFC West rivals collide on Monday Night Football as the Chargers visit the Raiders. Rich Crew breaks down the matchup with odds, team form, and key factors from Allegiant Stadium.
Game Information Dashboard
Date: Monday, September 15, 2025
Time: 10:00 PM ET
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
Broadcast: ESPN
Odds: Los Angeles Chargers -3.5 | Total: 46.5-47.5
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The Monday Night Setup
Monday Night Football features an AFC West rivalry between two teams looking to build on their Week 1 victories. The Chargers enter as road favorites after their impressive 27-21 victory over Kansas City in Brazil, while the Raiders showed defensive resilience in their 20-13 win over New England at home. Under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles appears to have found its offensive identity, while Pete Carroll’s Raiders demonstrated they can win with defense and ball control.
Team Overviews
Los Angeles Chargers (1-0)
Coming off their statement win against the Chiefs, the Chargers showed the offensive firepower many expected under Harbaugh’s leadership. Justin Herbert completed 25 of 34 passes for 318 yards and 3 TDs, plus 32 rushing yards in the season opener. The receiving corps, led by re-signed veteran Keenan Allen and rookie Ladd McConkey, provides Herbert with reliable targets. Running back Omarion Hampton adds depth to the backfield rotation.
The Chargers’ Week 1 performance yielded 27.0 points and 394.0 total yards (6.4 yards per play) while controlling possession for 32:44. However, their red zone execution showed room for improvement, converting just 1 of 2 opportunities into touchdowns (50%).
Las Vegas Raiders (1-0)
The Raiders got off to a solid start under Carroll, grinding out a defensive victory against New England. Geno Smith completed 25 of 35 passes for 362 yards and 1 TD, showing he can still manage an efficient passing attack. The Raiders defense held Patriots quarterback D. Maye to 30 of 46 passing for 287 yards and 1 TD. Running back Ashton Jeanty contributed 19 carries for 38 yards and 1 touchdown, providing the ground game component Carroll values.
Las Vegas generated 20.0 points and 389.0 total yards (6.3 yards per play) in their opener, holding possession for 29:55. Most impressively, the Raiders were perfect in red zone situations, converting their lone red zone trip into a touchdown (100%).
Historical Context
The Chargers swept the Raiders in the 2024 season, marking their first sweep since 2018. This recent dominance gives Los Angeles psychological momentum entering another division matchup. Both teams understand the importance of early-season division games in what figures to be a competitive AFC West.
Key Matchup Factors
Quarterback Play: Herbert’s dual-threat ability and three-touchdown performance against Kansas City’s defense demonstrated his ceiling. Smith showed he can still push the ball downfield effectively, but his touchdown production was limited against New England.
Red Zone Execution: This presents an interesting contrast – the Raiders achieved perfect red zone efficiency (1-for-1) while the Chargers struggled (1-for-2) despite their higher overall scoring output. Red zone opportunities will be crucial in determining the final margin.
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Coaching Styles: Harbaugh’s aggressive offensive philosophy contrasts with Carroll’s methodical, defense-first approach. The Raiders showed they can win ugly, while the Chargers displayed explosive offensive potential.
Time of Possession: The Chargers controlled the ball for over 32 minutes against Kansas City, suggesting their ability to sustain drives. Las Vegas will want to limit Herbert’s opportunities through ball control.
The Bottom Line
Both teams showed different paths to victory in Week 1. The Chargers demonstrated offensive explosiveness and the ability to match scoring with elite competition. The Raiders proved they can win with defense and efficient execution in critical situations.
With the line favoring Los Angeles by 3.5 points, the market expects the Chargers’ offensive ceiling to prove decisive on the road. However, Las Vegas showed the type of disciplined football that can keep games close, particularly at home under the lights.
Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers 24, Las Vegas Raiders 20
The Chargers’ offensive talent should provide enough firepower to cover the spread, but expect a closer contest than their dominant 2024 season series might suggest. Both teams have the pieces to compete in the AFC West, making this an important early-season measuring stick.
