San Diego Chargers vs. Oakland Raiders Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Oakland Raiders look to open on a 4-1 straight-up run for the first time since 2002 as they welcome the San Diego Chargers to town Sunday afternoon.

The Raiders demonstrated great poise while countering a Ravens fourth-quarter comeback in last week's 28-27 victory in Baltimore as 3.5-point underdogs, lifting them to 4-1 against the spread in their past five outings.

The Chargers blew a fourth-quarter lead for the fourth time in their past six games last week, dropping a 35-34 decision to the New Orleans Saints as 3.5-point home chalk. That left them winless in two ATS contests after covering in five straight.

Point spread: The Raiders opened as 3.5-point favorites; the total was 52.5 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 27.1-23.2 Raiders (NFL picks on every game)

Why the Chargers can cover the spread

The Chargers offense has scored a third-ranked 30.3 points per game. Quarterback Philip Rivers has thrown seven touchdown passes against just one pick this season, leading the squad to double-digit halftime leads on two occasions.

San Diego's defense sits second in the NFL in interceptions with six and has held opponents to well under 100 yards per game on the ground in each of its past four games.

Oakland topped the Chargers twice last year, including a 23-20 overtime win at home in Week 16. But San Diego posted SU wins in 14 of their previous 16 meetings while led by Rivers, who aims for a third career 400-yard outing against the Raiders.

Why the Raiders can cover the spread

Derek Carr further cemented his position among the NFL's top quarterbacks by tossing for four scores in Baltimore, giving him nine on the year against one pick. Carr has successfully orchestrated a pair of fourth-quarter comeback drives this season, and three in his past six outings, powering the squad to a recent 5-1 SU run on the road.

In last year's two wins over San Diego, Carr found the end zone on four occasions, and he'll be looking to end the Raiders' weak run at home, which has seen them go 1-4 SU and 0-5 ATS in their past five games there, according to the Odds Shark NFL Database.

Smart pick

With two of the top three rated quarterbacks in the NFL facing off, this matchup has the potential to be a gunslingers' duel. These two teams have combined for 56 or more points twice in their past four, splitting those two contests, with Oakland covering in both.

But while all eyes will be on Rivers and Carr, Oakland's 30th-ranked rush defense will have its hands full trying to contain Melvin Gordon, who leads the NFL with six touchdown runs. Look for the Chargers to stage the upset, with a SU and ATS win.

Betting trends

The Chargers are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 games on the road against the Raiders.

The Raiders are 6-23 ATS in their last 29 games as a favorite of 4.5 points or less.

The Chargers are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games on the road.

All NFL betting lines and point spreads data courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and Odds Shark YouTube for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.