Los Angeles Rams (5-10) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)
January 1, 2023 4:25 pm EDT
The Line: Los Angeles Chargers -6.5 / Los Angeles Rams +6.5; Over/Under: +41.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers meet in NFL action from SoFi Stadium on Sunday.
The Los Angeles Rams will look to build on their 51-14 beatdown win over the Denver Broncos in their last game. Baker Mayfield has thrown for 571 yards, 4 touchdowns and an interception on 69% passing while Cam Akers has a team-high 559 rushing yards and 7 rushing TDs this season. Tyler Higbee has 65 receptions for 576 yards while Ben Skowronek and Allen Robinson II each have 300+ receiving yards as well this season. On defense, Bobby Wagner has a team-high 126 total tackles while the Rams’ defensive unit as a whole has combined for 35 sacks and 14 interceptions this season.
The Los Angeles Chargers will try to build on their 20-3 win over the Indianapolis Colts last time out. Justin Herbert has thrown for 4,254 yards, 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 68% passing while Austin Ekeler has rushed for a team-high 759 yards while Mike Williams has a team-high 769 receiving yards and Joshua Palmer has 730 receiving yards. Austin Ekeler has 647 receiving yards and Keenan Allen and Gerald Everett each have 500+ receiving yards as well on the year. On defense, Drue Tranquill leads the Chargers with 129 total tackles while the Chargers’ unit as a whole has 35 sacks and 13 interceptions this season.
The Rams are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 road games and 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 week 17 matchups while the under is 5-1 in their last 6 games following a win. The Chargers are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall and 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a win while the over is 5-2 in their last 7 games against a team with a losing record.
I get the case to be made either way in this one, but I’m looking at the Chargers here. The Chargers weren’t really tested by the Colts on Monday night, and I don’t see them being challenged by this Rams team. Sure, the Rams put up 51 on Denver’s defense, but the Broncos just looked like they quit in that game. The Chargers are still fighting for playoff positioning and I’m sure would much rather have a game against Tennessee or Jacksonville than the defending AFC champs in Cincinnati on the road. I think the Chargers come to play here and win this one by a touchdown.
