Mariah Carey will lead into the Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers game with her iconic line, “Waiting all day for Sunday night.” The Chargers will travel to Levi Stadium in Santa Clara for an 8:20 p.m. ET game against a Super Bowl favorite.
At 5-3, the Chargers have been somewhat disappointing but are only a football game behind the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West. The 49ers are 4-4 and 1.5 football games behind the Seahawks in the NFC West, but the addition of Christian McCaffrey has sparked their offense.
The 49ers are favored by seven points with a total of 45.5 points. The Chargers are +250 on the moneyline, while the 49ers are -300.
Is the Chargers’ strength better?
The Chargers have one of the top offenses in the league, but they go up against a top defense. The Chargers are 13th in scoring 23.0 points per game and ninth in total offense, amassing 364.3 yards per game.
They are fourth in passing at 275.1 yards per game, which is remarkable given the long absences of Kennan Allen (questionable Sunday) and Mike Williams (out Sunday). Justin Herbert has done all he can to keep the team afloat.
That includes bailing out a defense that is third worst in allowing 25.8 points per game and ranks 21st in allowing 352.3 yards per game. They are 20th in generating nine takeaways, but that could be the key to beating San Francisco.
Run CMC the way near the Bay?
Acquiring McCaffrey was a sign the 49ers are going to make a run at the playoffs and they hope for the Super Bowl. He looks to improve a league-average rushing attack that amasses 119.5 yards per contest. Overall the 49ers are 12th in gaining 356.6 yards per game and 19th in scoring at 22 points per game.
He figures to be key in the receiving game, too and should start with another week of learning the playbook, even though Elijah Mitchell is listed as questionable to return this week.
But the defense is why the 49ers splurged for McCaffrey. They are sixth in holding teams to 18.4 points per game and tops in limiting opponents to 285.9 yards of total offense and 86.6 rushing yards. They are eighth in holding teams to 199.3 passing yards per game.
Chargers/49ers Betting Prediction
History shows the road team is 4-1 against the spread in their last five meetings in this series. The over is also 4-1 in the last five NFL meetings.
But the talent discrepancy at the skill positions has 63% of public bets on the 49ers to cover the touchdown spread. Another 54% of bets are on the over, which seems like a good play.
It will be up to Austin Ekeler and one of the worst rushing attacks against one of the top rushing defenses to provide balance and buy Herbert time in the pocket. The Chargers have areas to improve but may be exposed Sunday. We’ll take the 49ers -7.
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