In a highly anticipated Week 1 matchup, the Las Vegas Raiders are gearing up to take on the Los Angeles Chargers. The Raiders, boasting a strong rush defense from last season, will be looking to test the Chargers' new strategy under head coach Jim Harbaugh, who has emphasized a focus on running the ball.

The Raiders demonstrated their defensive prowess against the Chargers last year, with two games in which they achieved rush defensive grades of 80 or higher, as reported by PFF. This solidifies the Raiders as a formidable opponent for the Chargers' ground game. Additionally, the Raiders ranked eighth in rush EPA per play allowed last season, according to rbsdm.com, further highlighting their ability to stifle the run.

While the Chargers have made improvements to their offensive line, it remains to be seen if they can effectively overcome the Raiders' strong rush defense. Historical trends also seem to support a bet on the Raiders and a fade of the Chargers. In the month of September, road divisional underdogs with a total score below 43.5 have covered the spread 60.5% of the time. Furthermore, when these underdogs are priced at +4 or shorter, their ATS (against the spread) record improves to an impressive 65.3%.

Another factor that bodes well for the Raiders is the struggle of early favorites to cover the spread. Since the 2005-2006 season, home favorites priced between -7.5 and -0.5, who won eight or fewer games the previous season, have only covered the spread 37.7% of the time in Weeks 1-3. This percentage drops even further to 30.1% ATS when the favorites are coming off a season with five or fewer wins. In divisional contests, their ATS record plummets to 17.4%.

With the line currently sitting at a key number, the Raiders are favored to cover the spread at minimum. Football fans can look forward to an exciting and closely contested divisional clash when the Chargers and the Raiders face off in Week 1. As always, for the latest NFL odds and promotions, fans can visit the BetMGM sportsbook throughout the season.

The stage is set for an epic battle between the Chargers and the Raiders, and both teams have been diligently preparing at their respective training facilities. The Las Vegas Raiders' players, including defensive tackle John Jenkins, safety Phalen Sanford, and defensive end Tyree Wilson, have been honing their skills at the Intermountain Health Performance Center. Similarly, the Chargers have been working hard to fine-tune their game, with cornerback Jack Jones and quarterback Gardner Minshew II leading the charge during practice sessions.

As the teams continue to refine their strategies and build chemistry, football enthusiasts eagerly await the kickoff of what promises to be an electrifying encounter between these AFC West rivals.