Los Angeles Chargers: 3 Bold predictions vs. Raiders, Week 10

NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers signals first down after catching a pass during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers signals first down after catching a pass during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Chargers have won two straight coming into Thursday Night Football against the Raiders. Bold predictions for the Bolts in Week 10.

Expectations were high for the Los Angeles Chargers entering the 2019 season and things have not gone according to plan. They started the season with a 2-5 record and, even after two-straight wins, they remain below .500 for the season. However, they have an opportunity to keep building momentum as they face an AFC West rival, the Oakland Raiders, on Thursday Night Football in Week 10.

This could be a make-or-break moment for the Chargers. Philip Rivers, Melvin Gordon (upon his return) and the offense as a whole have underperformed this season but have shown new life over the past couple of weeks. The defense, meanwhile, has been resurgent in their own right. Now, they could topple a division rival and potentially make a dark horse run at the playoffs.

Playing in Oakland against an underrated Raiders team that enters Week 10 at 4-4 on the year won’t make it easy but the Chargers have the chance to make some special things happen. These are three bold predictions for LA on Thursday night.

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3. Allen has huge night with 120 yards, 2 TDs

As you would expect, Keenan Allen is the leading wide receiver for the Los Angeles Chargers through the first nine weeks of the season. For the year, the veteran has 54 catches for 657 yards, though he has a mere three touchdowns. He’s also been exceptionally quiet as of late, not topping 61 yards and not scoring in any of his last five games. That changes against a bad Raiders pass defense.

Oakland is giving up an incredible (not in a good way) 311.9 yards per game through the air. Though Philip Rivers has been a rollercoaster this season, the Raiders’ lack of pass-rush and downtrodden secondary offers him a prime opportunity to unleash Allen. Allen will reward him by looking like a superstar again and, in turn, putting up superstar type numbers in primetime.

2. Jacobs gashes Chargers defense

Considering that LA shut down Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams and the Packers running game last week, you might be thinking the Chargers are a good run defense. The truth is, they’re often average at best in that regard. They’ve allowed 114.1 yards per game on the ground through their first nine games of the season and have been had in a big way on more than one occasion.

Meanwhile, Josh Jacobs is one of the leading Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates and for good reason. The Raiders running back has been a true workhorse and a productive one at that. Just as importantly, Oakland’s offensive line has performed quite well this season. With the Chargers still lacking at linebacker, Jacobs is going to have another 100-yard day against Los Angeles on Thursday.

1. Chargers win third straight, this one by two scores

After their dismal start, we’ve really seen the Chargers start to look more like the team we expected to see in 2019. They held the Bears to 16 points two weeks ago (albeit thanks to a missed field goal) and then stifled the Packers, allowing only 11 points last Sunday. Moreover, the offense has looked more competent, especially last week after parting with Ken Wisenhunt.

Next. 2019 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 10. dark

The offense for Los Angeles is the most critical part. Oakland is going to run the ball well and Derek Carr should have a fine night at the offense. However, I don’t think the Raiders can find answers for the best version of the Bolts. Rivers will dice up an ailing secondary with a weak pass rush and the Chargers will get a two-score victory to move back to .500 on the season.