Los Angeles @ Las Vegas preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 11, 2018 ) L.A. Chargers 20, Oakland 6

The Oakland Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers both are in the mix for a playoff spot in the AFC and each is coming off a much-needed victory to keep them in contention. After snapping a two-game slide with a dramatic victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday, the Raiders have a quick turnaround when they host the Chargers on Thursday night.

Playing its first true home game since Week 2, Oakland needed a last-second goal-line stand to hold off Detroit 31-24 and move within a game of the sixth and final playoff slot. "I love this place. It's special," quarterback Derek Carr said of Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. "To come home in front of them and get a win, especially the way we did it. It would be nice to win something 40-0 some time. But when you win one like this, it does so many good things for a team." The Chargers appeared ready to slide out of the playoff hunt after three consecutive losses, only to rebound with a 17-16 victory at Chicago before thumping visiting Green Bay 26-11 on Sunday. Los Angeles is a half-game behind the Raiders in the AFC West and has won four in a row in the series, including a pair of double-digits victories by a combined 46-16 last season.

TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Chargers -1. O/U: 48.5

ABOUT THE CHARGERS (4-5): Los Angeles made a surprising move by firing offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt following the victory in Chicago and there was a noticeable emphasis to revive the running game, which piled up a season-high 159 yards against Green Bay. "We established the run and committed to it. It was giving them enough opportunities," coach Anthony Lynn said in praising the game plan of new coordinator Shane Steichen after Melvin Gordon ran for 80 yards and two touchdowns and Austin Ekeler added 70 yards. Philip Rivers threw for 294 yards on a season-low 28 attempts, including seven to tight end Hunter Henry, who has 25 receptions in four games since returning from injury. The Chargers had three sacks on Sunday and seven against Oakland last year.

ABOUT THE RAIDERS (4-4): Carr registered his third straight passer rating above 116.0 by throwing for 289 yards and a pair of scores, giving him five touchdowns passes and zero interceptions over the past two games. Oakland got another big game from first-round pick Josh Jacobs, who eclipsed 100 yards for the third time in four games and became the first rookie since Cincinnati's Ickey Woods to rush for two touchdowns three times in his first eight contests. Tight end Darren Waller has been Carr's favorite target with 48 receptions and 548 yards -- both team highs -- but rookie wideout Hunter Renfrow has 10 receptions and a pair of scores over the past two games. The Raiders rank seventh against the run (92.5 yards) but are dead last versus the pass (297.5).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Rivers has thrown for 1,217 yards with eight TDs and one interception in the last four versus Oakland.

2. Carr has thrown for at least two TDs and compiled a 100-plus passer in his last four on the road.

3. Chargers DE Joey Bosa has recorded 5.5 sacks over his last three games.

PREDICTION: Chargers 26, Raiders 23