Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers: 3 things to watch in Week 18

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates with Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) after scoring a touchdown Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates with Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) after scoring a touchdown Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
1 of 3
Dec 26, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) runs with the ball against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) runs with the ball against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18, and here are three things to keep an eye on in this crucial AFC West battle.

On Sunday night, the Las Vegas Raiders will cap off the NFL’s regular-season schedule with a home matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. This is a game with serious playoff implications for both teams, as a win against the Bolts would clinch the Raiders’ first playoff appearance since the 2016 NFL season.

Here, we look at three things to watch in the matchup against Los Angeles in Week 18.

Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers: 3 things to watch

Can the Raiders run the football?

Over the past few weeks, the Raiders have done a better job trying to establish the run, and third-year running back Josh Jacobs has looked like his rookie self on more than one occasion. Against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17, he gutted out a solid performance, and him being able to carve up a weak Chargers run defense will prove crucial on Sunday night.

Jacobs running the way he did against the Colts, and especially the Denver Broncos enables the Silver and Black to not be so predictable on the offensive side of the ball. It keeps the defense honest and could keep the Chargers’ strong pass rush at bay against Derek Carr, who is looking to enact revenge after some sour comments by Joey Bosa the last time around.

Schedule