Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders: Who has the edge?

CHARGERS (6-5) at RAIDERS (4-7)

When: 1:25 p.m. Sunday

Where: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas

TV/Radio: Ch. 2/98.7 FM; 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (Spanish)

Line: Chargers by 2½

Notable injury designations: Chargers: S Nasir Addlerley (questionable, thumb), DL Breiden Fehoko (questionable, illness), C Corey Linsley (out, concussion), RT Trey Pipkins III (out, knee), LB Drue Tranquill (questionable, illness), WR Mike Williams (out, ankle). Raiders:  DT Andrew Billings (questionable, leg), RB Brandon Bolden (questionable, calf), G Lester Cotton (questionable, calf), TE Jesper Horsted (out, concussion), RB Josh Jacobs (questionable, calf), LB Denzel Perryman (questionable, wrist), DT Kendal Vickers (out, back).

What’s at stake: A victory for the Chargers over the AFC West rival Raiders would give them a jolt of much-needed momentum and confidence heading into a two-game homestand against the Miami Dolphins and the Tennessee Titans, the last two teams with winning records on their schedule. A loss for the Raiders would all but eliminate them from the playoff chase. It also would be a bit of a payback for the Chargers, who were denied a playoff berth last season because of an overtime loss to the Raiders in the regular-season finale in Las Vegas.

Who’s better: The Chargers were the better and more opportunistic team when they faced the Raiders in the season-opening game Sept. 11 at SoFi Stadium, taking a 24-19 victory for their third win in four games against Las Vegas. A great deal has changed since then, however. The Chargers have been decimated by injuries on both sides of the ball, which has left them in a precarious spot heading into the season’s stretch run. Quarterback Justin Herbert is still dealing with fractured rib cartilage suffered in a Sept. 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but he’s made adjustments and has regained much of the fluid nature of his game.

Matchup to watch: If the Chargers are to win, they’re going to have to find ways to limit Jacobs to short gains while also keeping an eye on quarterback Derek Carr and wide receiver Davante Adams. Jacobs would be a handful for the Chargers under the best of circumstances. Carr isn’t nearly as elusive as Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals or Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs, the last two quarterbacks the Chargers faced. Carr and Adams have formed a strong connection, with Adams trying for a fifth consecutive game with seven receptions or more.

Chargers win if: The Chargers must protect Herbert at all cost, something they haven’t done well in the past two games. Herbert was sacked four times in the Chargers’ victory last Sunday over the Cardinals and a season-high five times in their loss Nov. 20 to the Chiefs. Herbert is fifth in the NFL with 3,004 yards passing this season, a remarkable figure considering how his injury hampered his throwing and running for several weeks after he was hurt. Herbert has sliced and diced opponents with a steady stream of short passes to running back Austin Ekeler, but now that wide receiver Keenan Allen is back in form after battling a nagging hamstring injury suffered against the Raiders in Week 1, it’s possible the Chargers’ offense could look for deeper plays in the rematch Sunday.

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Fantasy sleeper: Chargers wide receiver DeAndre Carter has found a home in his first season with the team. He’s emerged as a valuable addition, someone far more useful than merely a kick and punt returner. Injuries to Allen, Williams and Jalen Guyton (knee) have given Carter an opportunity, and he’s taken it and run with it. Last week, he had seven catches for 73 yards and a touchdown against Arizona.

Prediction: If the Chargers’ past four games are any indication, this one also will come down to the final possessions in the final minutes. The Chargers have done well in such circumstances, especially on the road. Overall, they’re 4-2 on the road this season. Chargers 21, Raiders 20.