The Los Angeles Chargers are coming into the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs as underdogs against the Baltimore Ravens. CBS will broadcast the action and this vital early afternoon game is scheduled to kick off at 1:05 p.m. ET.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Baltimore Ravens Betting Preview
The Chargers enter into this Sunday AFC game as the dog here and they’re currently getting 3 points. The Chargers are also receiving +120 moneyline odds while the Ravens are -140. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 41 points. It appears that there will likely be multiple solid in-game betting possibilities in this match.
With the line opening at -3 and the total initially set at 41.5, this matchup’s betting odds have shifted a bit.
Both of these teams have rewarded gamblers this year as the Chargers have recorded 4.7 units and the Ravens are ahead 3.3 units.
The Chargers have gone 12-4 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Ravens are 10-6 SU.
The Bolts are coming off a resounding 23-9 win over Denver last week where Philip Rivers completed 14-of-24 passes for just 176 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Melvin Gordon III (42 yards on 10 rush attempts) and Austin Ekeler (58 yards on eight carries, one TD) led the running attack while Mike Williams (five receptions, 65 yards, one TD) and Keenan Allen (four catches, 64 yards) manned the receiving duties in the win.
Baltimore is coming off of a 26-24 win over Cleveland a week ago. Lamar Jackson completed 14-of-24 passes for 179 yards. Jackson (90 yards on 20 rush attempts, two TDs) and Kenneth Dixon (117 yards on 12 carries) spearheaded the running game while Mark Andrews (four receptions, 54 yards) and Chris Moore (two catches, 19 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Los Angeles has run the ball on 43.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Baltimore has a rush percentage of 49.6 percent. The Chargers have rushed for 117 yards per game and have 16 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Ravens are averaging 153 rush yards per game and have 19 total rushing TDs.
The Bolts offense has averaged 270 yards in the air overall and has 32 passing scores so far. The Ravens have recorded 232 pass yards per game and have 18 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Los Angeles has allowed 106 rush yards and 243 pass yards per game. The Baltimore defense has allowed 228.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 82.9 yards per game to opposing runners. The Ravens are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.23 to opposing QBs, while the Chargers have given up a 6.01 ANY/A.
Offensively, Rivers is up to 4,127 passing yards this year. He’s connected on 324-of-471 attempts with 32 passing scores and only 10 interceptions. He has an 8.31 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 2.51 over the last two games.
In the other locker room, Lamar Jackson has completed 87-of-148 passes for 997 yards, five TDs and three INTs. Jackson’s ANY/A stands at 5.55 for the season and 7.63 across his last two outings.
RELATED: NFL Wild Card Betting Odds and Predictions
NFL Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Baltimore Ravens
SU Winner – Chargers, ATS Winner – Chargers, O/U – Over
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
The Chargers offense has created 10 pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Ravens have accounted for six such plays.
The Los Angeles defense has allowed nine pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Baltimore has given up six such plays.
The Los Angeles offense has created 16 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Baltimore has created 14 such runs.
The Chargers defense has allowed 11 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Ravens have given up six such runs.
The Baltimore defensive unit has produced 43 sacks on the year while Los Angeles has 38.
Los Angeles has averaged 4.1 yards per carry across its past three outings and 3.6 over its last two.
Baltimore has averaged 5.3 yards per carry over its last three games and 5.5 over its last two.
In its last three games, Baltimore is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Los Angeles’ last game was set at 43. The under cashed in the team’s 23-9 victory over Denver.
In its last three matchups, Los Angeles is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Baltimore’s last match was set at 40.5. The over cashed in that 26-24 win over Cleveland.
Los Angeles has won six of its last seven games SU, with a 12-point loss to Baltimore on December 22nd accounting for the only defeat over that span.
Baltimore has won seven of its last eight games SU, with a -3-point loss to Kansas City on December 9th representing the one defeat over that span.
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