To borrow a phrase, it’s not just any day for the Los Angeles Chargers; it’s TODAY. Yes, Jim Harbaugh’s unique verbal style has returned to the West Coast. He and the Chargers, favored by a field goal, are finally looking to capitalize on the talent of quarterback Justin Herbert and are banking on youth to make it happen.

Franchise receiving leader Keenan Allen is gone, as are veteran tight end Gerald Everett and dual-threat back Austin Ekeler. The three accounted for 48 percent of L.A.’s targets last season, with Allen scoring 150 himself.

Joshua Palmer (24) and Quentin Johnson (22) are now the leading wideouts, with incoming rookie slot man Ladd McConkey as the next best option. Ekeler is replaced by the oft-injured duo of Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins, neither of whom are known for their receiving skills.

American lineman Joe Alt is now part of Herbert’s guard team, giving him more time to develop the routes. However, one has to wonder if the Bolts wouldn’t have been better off selecting Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze at that draft position.

But with Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa and other veterans on defense and Harbaugh’s successful track record in the NFL, the Chargers still have the same energy as on the first day of school for the season opener.

That’s not so much the case for the Raiders, who enter the season having hit .500 or lower the previous season (for the 19th time in 21 years) and with their 13th new head coach (Antonio Pierce) in that span.

Veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew battled the unknown Aidan O’Connell for the starting job, and his top target may not be in Vegas for much longer. Davante Adams, who missed his first Pro Bowl selection in six seasons after joining the Raiders, is looking to get out of Dodge in hopes of salvaging the final years of his prime with a better offense. The Raiders — who don’t have a future quarterback, lost rusher Josh Jacobs in the offseason and whose lone bright spot is defensive end Maxx Crosby — aren’t fertile ground for his latest run.

With new general manager Tom Telesco, incoming unanimous All-American tight end Brock Bowers and all three of their draft picks, it’s unlikely they’ll pass up the haul that Adams would bring to a rebuild. He appears likely to be in for the opener, but it’s tough to bet on an upset with the Raiders treading water and the Chargers looking for a bounce.

All odds from BetMGM. Looking for NFL tickets? Find them here.

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Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers Odds

How to watch Raiders vs. Chargers

• Location: SoFi Stadium — Inglewood, California.
• Time: 4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday
• TV: CBS
• Streaming: Watch Live on Fubo (Save $30)

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(Photo by Jim Harbaugh: Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)