Oakland Raiders Favored In AFC West Matchup With San Diego Chargers

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The 2015 NFL season is over for the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders regarding competing for a playoff spot. San Diego was out of the running a long time ago with Philip Rivers struggling to be a one-man show while the Raiders had their fate sealed against the Green Bay Packers last week at O.co Coliseum.

Although there’s nothing on the line coming into this matchup of AFC West rivals, both teams will remain competitive due to playing in one of the most heated rivalries in the league today. Along with bragging rights being on the table in Week 16, Charles Woodson will be playing in his last game in front of the Raiders faithful. Woodson announced he’ll be retiring after the season earlier this week.

Not only will it be Woodson’s final game in the Bay Area, but it may also be the last game for the Raiders in Oakland. The storied franchise may be moving to Los Angeles next season meaning this could very well be their final home game at O.co Coliseum.

Fortunately for Woodson and company, the Raiders are favored coming into this matchup with the Chargers. Oakland is sporting a -4.5 point spread, according to Sportsbook.ag.

Despite the fact this is a divisional game that is always competitive, the Raiders are by far the superior team here. Not only are the Raiders the better team on both sides of the football heading into this matchup, but there will be so much going on in Oakland with it being Woodson last game in front the home crowd and possibly the team’s last game in Oakland altogether.

There’s way too much going in the Raiders’ favor on Thursday for this not to be an easy win for the up-and-coming squad led by head coach Jack Del Rio. Expect impressive performances by Derek Carr as well as the Oakland defense as they aim to put on a show for the die-hard fans one last time.