NFL Win Totals Betting Pick: Los Angeles Chargers
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- Category: NFL
- Created: Friday, 22 May 2020 22:24
As we continue our look at every NFL team’s over/under win total, the Los Angeles Chargers are the next team up. L.A. struggled to a 5-11 record last season, finishing last in the AFC West. However, this season is the first since 2003 in which quarterback Philip Rivers isn’t on the roster, signaling a fresh start for the franchise.
According to odds-makers, the Chargers’ over-under for wins is set at 7.5. We’ll take a look at how this offseason has gone for L.A., as well as what’s ahead on their schedule, in order to see what the best bet will be.
Offseason Summary
There will be plenty of new faces playing at Los Angeles’ brand new SoFi Stadium. Among them is CB Chris Harris Jr., who signed a two-year deal with the Chargers after nine seasons with the division-rival Broncos.
They also inked longtime Packer OT Bryan Bulaga to a three-year contract and acquired OG Trai Turner from the Panthers. Other notable acquisitions include the old Vikings DT Linval Joseph and Bengals LB Nick Vigil.
As mentioned earlier, the biggest departure is Rivers, who signed a one-year contract with the Colts after 16 seasons with the Chargers. Another big-name loss was RB Melvin Gordon, who failed to reach to reach a contract extension after holding out for part of last season. Gordon joined the Broncos on a two-year pact. Other losses include OT Russell Okung, who was traded to Carolina for Turner, S Adrian Phillips, WR Travis Benjamin, and FB Derek Watt.
Even though the Chargers only ended up with six draft picks, they filled their biggest need with the selection of Oregon QB Justin Herbert. Herbert will likely sit behind projected starter Tyrod Taylor at first, but eventually looks to become their next franchise QB. L.A. also made a bold move by trading back into the first round to select Oklahoma LB Kenneth Murray, who should start right away. Other notable picks aimed to address the skill positions, headlined by UCLA RB Joshua Kelley, Virginia WR Joe Reed and Ohio State WR K.J. Hill.
2020 Schedule
In addition to two games against division opponents each, the Chargers and the rest of the AFC West will battle the AFC East and NFC South this season. Although there are some tough teams on the schedule for Los Angeles, their strength of schedule is actually pretty favorable. L.A. has the 10th-easiest schedule since this season’s opponents combined for just a .492 win percentage last year, which is the lowest in the West.
Among the toughest games Los Angeles will have this season include back-to-road games against the Buccaneers and Saints, as well as a road game against the Bills. However, that’s about as tough as it gets for them outside of the division, as the Saints, Bills, and Patriots (at home) are the only playoff teams from last year they’ll play in the fall. In addition, since L.A. finished in last place in 2019, their two at-large opponents are also last place teams; the Bengals and the Jaguars.
Verdict
It’s always tough to predict what a new era for any team will be like, and especially with it happening in a year like this. Rivers and Gordon are significant losses, but Taylor is a capable starter with a high floor who will take care of the football more than Rivers, and Austin Ekeler has shown that he’s ready to be an every-down back. They also brought back much of their defense from last season, adding a couple of pieces who can contribute immediately.
Overall, this is certainly a better team than last year’s five wins would seem to indicate, so an improvement from that total seems like a no-brainer. But will they reach eight wins or more this 3eseason? My first instinct is yes, as I think the Chargers are the likeliest team in football to go from worst to first. But at the very least, eight or nine wins seems likely, so I’m taking the OVER on 7.5 wins for the Chargers this season.
When betting the Chargers OVER - do so at our favorite pay per head bookie site RealBookies.com.
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