Prediction Markets Favor Chargers in Monday Night Football Showdown

Ever notice how when betting lines move, they’re usually pulling you toward something the public isn’t seeing? That’s exactly what’s happening with tonight’s Chargers vs. Raiders Monday Night Football game. The Chargers are about −3.5 favorites, with totals hovering near 46.5—but sharp money is quietly loading up on the Raiders and the Over.

In other words, the markets are whispering, “This game might be closer than it looks.”

At the time of this writing, Los Angeles is ≈ 3.5-point favorite in tonight’s matchup, with many sportsbooks listing the spread at Chargers −3.5. The Over/Under (total points) is around 46.5, and the moneyline favors the Chargers at approximately −185 to −196, while the Raiders are lumped in as underdogs at +150-+160.

This pricing implies confidence in a Chargers win, but a tightly contested game.

Prediction markets

The big three prediction market platforms—Myriad, Polymarket and Kalshi—were all favoring Los Angeles by roughly 65%.

(Disclaimer: Myriad Markets is a product of DASTAN, Decrypt‘s parent company.)

Expert models and analyst picks

• The CBS SportsLine projection model confirms the numbers above: Chargers −3.5, total 46.5. It tends to favor Chargers both to win and cover (with the profit for moneyline also tilted toward them).

• Still, some analysts see value in the Raiders +3.5. Their logic: Chargers might have overhyped momentum from Week 1, whereas home field and Las Vegas’s offensive weapons could keep it close. (See SI’s prop & pick story.)

• On the over/under front, there’s a split: some models lean Over 46.5, expecting moderate scoring, while others believe defensive plays, turnovers, or a more conservative game script might push the total Under slightly.

What the sharp money reveals

Several betting media outlets have spotted sharp bettors pushing in favor of the Chargers, and the numbers suggest this isn’t just public hype—it’s serious money behind belief in L.A.’s edge.

Here’s what the split looks like, and what it’s telling us:

• Confidence in Chargers from informed bettors: The fact that the majority of both spread bets and dollar volume are leaning on the Chargers suggests sharp money believes LA is undervalued by the public or that recent performance (vs. KC, etc.) justifies the line moving in their favor. 

• Movement in line/spread: The spread creeping from −3 to −3.5 aligns with sharp bettors pushing; sportsbooks adjust lines when heavy money comes in. The Chargers being −3.5 now (vs initial −3) suggests early demand forcing the shift. 

• Over/Under trend is Over bias: 72% of tickets but 92% of dollars on Over at BetMGM shows smart money is confident this game will have decent scoring. That reinforces the idea that props tied to offense (passing yards, receptions, etc.) are a better value.

Prop bets and key player performance bets

Here are some specific props that bettors appear bullish on:

• Ladd McConkey Over 72.5 receiving yards is one of the more popular props, based on his Week 1 target volume and recent consistency. (SportsBookReview.com prop pick)

• Ashton Jeanty Over 17.5 rush attempts is favored by some—suggesting the Raiders will try to lean on run to control clock or balance the offense. (See SI’s prop breakdown)

• Also noted: McConkey Over 5.5 receptions and Geno Smith Over 248.5 passing yards are getting traction.

What the consensus suggests

Putting the market’s pieces together, here’s the story that appears to be forming:

• Chargers are favored, but not overwhelmingly. The 3.5-point spread suggests Vegas expects them to win, but that this will be competitive.

• Passing game for Los Angeles is getting respect, especially via Herbert → McConkey and possibly Allen. If their air attack fires, they likely cover.

• Raiders are being undervalued in some quarters; bettors are buying into props where the Raiders can make plays—Jeanty’s work in the backfield, Geno Smith finding intermediate passes, etc.

• The projected scoring is moderate. The Over/Under of ~46.5 implies a game that is likely to see some scoring fireworks, but not a shootout, assuming neither side turns the ball over too often or gets overly conservative.