Raiders Week 1 Preview: Justin Herbert's injury makes Raiders a safe bet

The Las Vegas Raiders are three-point underdogs at FanDuel Sportsbook for their Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, with points coming in, the Raiders could be a good bet since Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has missed a large portion of training camp due to injury.

While there are reports that Herbert is 100 percent fit and head coach Jim Harbaugh said the quarterback’s listing on the team’s injury report on Thursday was the result of an NFL initiative, via Daniel Popper from The Athleticthat is irrelevant.

Yes, Herbert was listed as a full participant in practice this week and has been on the field since August 19th. However, he suffered a plantar fascia injury early in training camp and missed about two and a half weeks of the most important practices of the year. He was ruled out for the first time on August 1st.

Los Angeles made some significant changes in the offseason. Harbaugh was hired as head coach and brought with him his old San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman. As part of the new regime, the Bolts released their two best receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, as well as running back Austin Ekeler and tight end Gerald Everett.

While wide receiver Joshua Palmer returns to the Chargers, the majority of the receivers are brand new. The most notable additions in the pass-catching area include second-round rookie Ladd McConkey and free agent additions in wide receiver DJ Chark and tight end Will Dissly.

Herbert's missed time in training camp means he had less time with most of his best weapons to build the crucial chemistry he needs to hit the ground running this season. Additionally, it's reasonable to assume he'll be a little rusty in a new offense regardless of the injury, but that will become an even bigger factor with less practice.

Granted, the Oregon product is nothing new to working with a new coaching staff and learning a new playbook, even dating back to his college days. The Ducks have had three head coaches during his time in Eugue, and the fifth-year pro is already in his third full-time head coach position with the Chargers.

What makes this regime change different, however, is that Roman has always relied on a running quarterback. In San Francisco, it was Alex Smith and Collin Kaepernick, Tyrod Taylor with the Buffalo Bills, and then Lamar Jackson with the Baltimore Ravens.

Herbert can carry the ball and will likely be used on some planned runs with Roman calling the plays. But will that happen since he's coming off a foot injury? That wouldn't exactly be a smart plan to start the year with. So, with the missed playing time and the quarterback's recent injury, will we see a watered-down version of the Chargers offense? It certainly looks that way.

Don't get this wrong, Herbert is a very talented player and will likely finish the year with impressive numbers. But in a Week 1 matchup against a team that has a talented defensive line with Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins leading the way, it won't exactly be a walk in the park for Herbert and Co. to start the season.

That makes the Raiders a good bet as field goal underdogs, as does the 40.5-point underodds at FanDuel Sportsbook.