Week 14: Washington at LA Chargers NFL Spread & Expert Prediction

Week 14: Washington at LA Chargers NFL Spread & Expert Prediction

Written by on December 8, 2017

In this writer’s opinion, the matchup between the Washington Redskins and Los Angeles Chargers has a good shot of being the highest-scoring game of Week 14 as you have two of the NFL’s better quarterbacks facing off in Kirk Cousins and Philip Rivers. The total of 46 on the NFL spread board seems low, but the Week 14 odds could change around game time.

Week 14: Washington at LA Chargers NFL Spread & Expert Prediction

When: Sunday, 4:05 PM ET Where: StubHub Center, LA TV: CBS Radio: WTEM 980 AM (Washington) / KFI AM 640 (LA) Stream Option: NFL Live Opening NFL Spread: Chargers -6 (46)

Weather Forecast

  • Partly Cloudy: 26°C/78°F
  • Humidity: 15%
  • Precipitation: 0%
  • Wind: 6 mph N
  • Cloud Cover: 54%
  • Type of Stadium: Open

Last Meeting

The Redskins are 7-3 all-time against the Chargers, including a 2-2 mark in road games. This will be the Redskins’ first matchup with the Chargers since the franchise’s move to Los Angeles. The Redskins are seeking consecutive victories against the Chargers dating back to the Redskins’ 30-24 overtime win at FedExField on Nov. 3, 2013. A win would give the Redskins back-to-back wins against the Chargers for the first time since opening the all-time series between the two teams with six straight victories across the 1973-98 seasons.

Latest NFL Spread Trends

  • Washington is 3-6 ATS in the last 9 games
  • Washington is 2-5 SU in the last 7 games
  • The total went OVER in 7 of Washington’s last 9 games
  • LA Chargers are 6-2 ATS in the last 8 games
  • LA Chargers are 6-2 SU in the last 8 games
  • The total went UNDER in 6 of LA Chargers’s last 7 games

Why Bet on Washington?

The Skins come off a 38-14 loss in Dallas last Thursday to all but end their playoff hopes. The Redskins at least scored a touchdown in their 48th straight game. That’s third longest active streak in the NFL. The Skins need 28 points to reach 300 points in a sixth straight season, which would be the team’s longest streak since 1994-99. Washington will try to score points on its opening possession for a ninth time this season, which would represent the most opening-drive scores by the Redskins in a single season in records dating back to 1999. The Redskins’ eight games this season with an opening-drive score are tied for the third-most in the NFL The West Coast has been kind to the Redskins thus far in 2017. The Redskins are 2-0 in the Pacific Time Zone this year, including a 27-20 road win against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2 and a 17-14 road win against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9. Additionally, the Redskins won both home games this season against teams that call the Pacific Time Zone home, including a Week 3 win against the Oakland Raiders and a Week 6 win against the San Francisco 49ers, giving the Redskins a perfect 4-0 mark against teams from the nation’s western-most time zone this year. The Chargers have not been great covering as a home favorite this season. This game will mark the fifth time the Chargers have been a favorite at home and they’ve gone 1-3 ATS in those games, which includes last Sunday when they didn’t cover against the Browns. In those same four games, the Chargers are just 2-2 straight-up. The biggest injury questions for Washington are tight end Jordan Reed and left tackle Trent Williams. Reed’s hamstring will likely force him to miss a seventh consecutive game. It would be surprising if Williams sat. He understands his importance to the team, especially with the Chargers having two excellent pass-rushers in Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa. Tackle Morgan Moses will also be one to watch.

Team Statistics

Offense:
  • Average Score For: 22.67
  • Total Yards: 349.75
  • Pass Yards: 249.42
  • Rush Yards: 100.33
Defense:
  • Average Score Against: 26.17
  • Total Yards: 340.08
  • Pass Yards: 222.83
  • Rush Yards: 117.25

Why Bet on LA Chargers?

The Bolts started 0-4 but are now tied for the AFC West lead with Kansas City and Oakland. The Chargers won a third straight last week, 19-10 over Cleveland. Philip Rivers passed for 344 yards and hit Keenan Allen for a touchdown. Allen had 10 catches for 105 yards in his third straight big game for the Chargers (6-6), who have won six of eight. New kicker Travis Coons hit four field goals. In the past three games, Allen has totaled 33 receptions for 436 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He is the first player in NFL history with at least 10 receptions, 100 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in three straight games. Allen is on pace to set new Chargers records and currently has 77 catches for 1,032 yards and five touchdowns. For the season, Rivers has completed 272 of 431 attempts (63.1 percent) for 3,292 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven picks for a 96.0 passer rating. Are the Chargers a safe NFL pick in Week 14? Defensively, Joey Bosa continues to impact the game all over the place. Bosa ranks fifth in the NFL in sacks (11.5) and has forced the second-most fumbles in the NFL (four).  His 19.5 QB hits are tied for the team lead with Melvin Ingram, who has been every bit as effective rushing the passer.  Ingram has 8.5 sacks on the year along with a team-high 17.5 tackles for loss. The Chargers rank ninth in total offense (363.1 yards per game), second in passing (269.8 ypg), 26th in rushing (93.2 ypg) and 17th in points (22.3). The Bolts rank 17th in total defense (335.4 ypg), fifth in passing (205.7 ypg), 31st in rushing (129.8 ypg) and fourth in points allowed (17.7). After sitting out last week’s game against the Browns with a knee injury, rookie wide receiver Mike Williams was a limited participant in practice this week. Williams ran routes wearing a brace on his injured right knee. Coach Anthony Lynn said he will evaluate Williams’ status for Sunday’s game as late as Saturday.

Team Statistics

Offense:
  • Average Score For: 22.33
  • Total Yards: 363.08
  • Pass Yards: 269.83
  • Rush Yards: 93.25
Defense:
  • Average Score Against: 17.67
  • Total Yards: 335.42
  • Pass Yards: 205.67
  • Rush Yards: 129.75

Expert Prediction & Week 14 NFL Spread Pock

Chargers by a touchdown with a score along the lines of 30-23.