Week 2 MNF Fantasy Football Preview : LAC vs. LV

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  • By Jon Mosales

    Last Updated on September 15, 2025 12:37 pm by Jon Mosales | Published: September 15, 2025

    MNF – Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders

    Point spread: Chargers -3.5 | Raiders +3.5

    Moneyline: Chargers -200 | Texans +170

    Total: Over 46.5 | Under 46.5

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    Overview:

    This is nice division battle that could heat up if the Raiders stay hot through the air.  Geno Smith looked terrific in his Las Vegas Raiders debut last week, completing 24 of 34 passes for 362 yards. Chip Kelly’s up-tempo offense looked like a natural fit for Smith, who had four completions 20+ yards downfield against the Patriots.  The looming hangnail is whether superstar TE Brock Bowers can play and how healthy he is after missing most of practice this week.  The Chargers defense looked solid vs. KC, but they can had through the air and Smith will be letting it fly in a possible game of catchup.  The Raiders entered this season projected to have the worst secondary in the NFL and while Mac Jones wasn’t amazing in Week 1, Justin Herbert was and if they take the shackles off again, this has shootout written all over it.  Both teams did invest first round picks in the running game this season, so it’s possible that the running game takes priority, but with both QBs going over 300 yards in Week 1, that could be the stat that dictates how this one goes.

    Quarterbacks:

    You wouldn’t think Geno Smith vs. Justin Herbert would be a battle of the arm cannons, but they ranked 2nd and 3rd in passing yards after Week 1.  Geno Smith was only the QB15 because he is the master of passing yards without the finish, but this is an ideal spot at home as underdogs to get on the board.  The Vegas offense was seventh in neutral passing rate and 14th in neutral script pace and while they definitely want to get Jeanty involved, the LA rush defense held KC to almost nothing on the ground.  Smith is a great start this week as long as Bowers is close to 100% and can play the whole game.  Justin Herbert was even better than Smith and while we know LA wants to pound the ball, but they only had 90 rushing yards on 25 carries.  With three legit weapons at WR, Herbert should keep his foot on the gas and as long as LV can keep this one close, Herbert should continue to fire on all cylinders.  Herbert was the QB5 last week with three TDs and no INTs and he could finally be reverting to the elite QB he was in his first two seasons.

     

    Running Backs:

    This is the rookie RB battle that looks great on paper, but Ashton Jeanty was only the RB24 while Omarion Hampton was the RB31.  It’s not shocking to see each potential franchise RB struggle out of the gate, but by playing 86% of the snaps last week, it’s clear Jeanty is one of the few workhorse backs in the league.  19 rushes for 38 yards isn’t going to get it done for fantasy and it could be similar tough sledding if LA proves stout vs. the run.  I expect Jeanty to be more involved in the passing game after only two targets in Week 1, but it could be a bit of a learning curve before he truly breaks out.  Hampton finished with 17 touches and 61 total yards while playing 80% of the snaps and Najee Harris barely got on the field with only 12 snaps.  Harris should probably see more work this week, but it’s clear Hampton is the lead back, but the Raiders shut down the Patriots’ run game in Week 1 and with a leaky secondary, we could see LA continue to pivot to the passing game.  The spread favors the Chargers to play from ahead which bodes well for Hampton, but he will probably need to score in order to have a successful fantasy night.

     

    Wide Receivers: 


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    September 15, 2025, 12:36 pm