Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders: How to watch, predictions and betting odds

Wins are the only statistic that counts for Jim Harbaugh. Still, all the numbers matter, the head coach likes to say.

Although the Chargers are already in the postseason, they are still fighting for the distinction as the best defense in the NFL against Las Vegas Raiders at 1:25 p.m. PST Sunday.

Allowing a league-low average of 17.6 points per game, the Chargers (10-6) are in position to lead the NFL in scoring defense for just the second time in franchise history as they try to lock up the No. 5 seed in the AFC. Playing “winning football” throughout the season to clinch the team’s first playoff berth since 2022 was the top priority for first-year defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, but finishing the season in the No. 1 spot would be validating for the unit that ranked 24th in points allowed last season.

“We want to win the most awards, get the best grades and excel at sports,” Harbaugh said with a smile, referencing the 1979 movie “The Great Santini.”

After Pittsburgh (10-7) lost to Cincinnati Bengals (9-8) on Saturday, the Chargers only need a win over their division rivals on Sunday to move into the No. 5 seed in the AFC, which would play a wild-card game at No. 4 Houston. If the Chargers slip into the sixth seed, they will play at Baltimore (12-5) in the wild-card round.

Despite being in contention for the No. 1 overall pick, the Raiders (4-12) have won consecutive games behind defensive standout Maxx Crosby and rookie tight end Brock Bowers. Both were named to the Pro Bowl this week. Bowers leads all tight ends in receptions (108) and receiving yards (1,144) and set NFL records for receptions by a rookie and yards receiving by a rookie tight end. Bowers needs eight receptions to tie Zack Ertz’s record for most receptions in a season by a tight end.

Chargers: RB Gus Edwards (ankle, out); WR Joshua Palmer (foot, out); LB Denzel Perryman (groin, questionable); S Alohi Gilman (hamstring, questionable).

Raiders: RB Ameer Abdullah (foot, out); CB Nate Hobbs (illness, questionable); G Jordan Meredith (ankle, questionable).

The Chargers and Raiders will play at 1:25 p.m. PST on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The game will air on CBS in Southern California and will be available nationally on YouTube TV with a subscription to NFL Sunday Ticket. In Southern California, fans can listen to the game on the radio at 98.7 FM or 105.5 AM.

Thuc Nhi Nguyen’s pick: Considering the team can lock up a wild-card matchup against Houston with a win, Harbaugh likely won’t make personnel changes. Chargers 24, Raiders 14

Sam Farmer’s pick: The Chargers have something to play for following the Steelers’ loss. With Justin Herbert and the rest of the Chargers’ starters likely to play, the fifth seed in the AFC will be theirs. Chargers 20, Raiders 17