[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
The LA Chargers (1-0) and Carolina Panthers (1-0) meet for a Week 2 game Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (CBS). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NFL odds around the Chargers vs. Panthers odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.
The Chargers opened the Jim Harbaugh era with a 22-10 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders Sept. 8. RB J.K. Dobbins rumbled for 135 yards and a touchdown, while the Chargers posted 316 total yards and 5 rushing 1st downs in the victory.
LA also held the Raiders to just 71 rushing yards on 22 attempts, or 3.2 yards per run. The Chargers were plus-3 in the turnover differential, and perhaps the only thing the coach will harp on is 7 penalties, which needs to be cleaned up.
The Panthers were annihilated 47-10 at the New Orleans Saints in Week 1. They slipped behind in the first 2:52 with a 59-yard TD to WR Rashid Shaheed, and New Orleans was up 17-0 at the end of the 1st quarter. The Saints went up 30-0 before Carolina managed a field goal at the end of the 1st half.
Carolina ended up posting just 193 total yards to 379 for New Orleans, and the Saints had 22 first downs to just 11 for the Panthers. To make matters worse, Carolina had 3 turnovers and a minus-2 turnover ratio. QB Bryce Young completed just 13 of 30 passes for 161 yards, 0 TDs and 2 INTs, although he did run for a score.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Chargers at Panthers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NFL odds. Lines last updated Saturday at 7:02 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Chargers -250 (bet $250 to win $100) | Panthers +200 (bet $100 to win $200)
- Against the spread (ATS): Chargers -5.5 (-110) | Panthers +5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 39 (O: -110 | U: -110)
WIN YOUR FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE!
The Huddle has been turning players like you into winners for over 25 years. This season, it’s your turn. Custom fantasy football rankings, sleepers and tools are just a click away. Save 25% off the Internet’s best-kept secret. Subscribe now!
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Chargers at Panthers key injuries
Chargers
- LB Joey Bosa (back) questionable
- S Alohi Gilman (knee) doubtful
- WR Josh Palmer (knee) questionable
- CB Ja’Sir Taylor (fibula) questionable
Panthers
- DE Derrick Brown (knee) out
- P Johnny Hekker (back) questionable
- OG Damien Lewis (groin) questionable
- OT Taylor Moton (back, knee) questionable
FOOTBALL NEVER STOPS
Live games, analysis and more 7 days a week: Get ESPN+
Chargers at Panthers picks and predictions
Prediction
Chargers 24, Panthers 13
Moneyline
The Chargers (-250) will cost you 2½ times your potential return, and that’s just way too much risk for not enough reward, even against the dregs of the league. Backing a road team, and laying this kind of money, is not a recommended long-term betting strategy.
The Panthers (+200) just cannot be trusted for the upset after the effort they put forth last week. And, to make matters worse, they lost Brown — their best defensive player — to a knee injury last week.
PASS.
Against the spread
The CHARGERS -5.5 (-110) are a much better play laying the points. With Dobbins, RB Gus Edwards, etc., the thinking is that this team builds an early road lead, then uses the 2 bruising backs to salt the game away for a win.
The Panthers +5.5 (-110) just lacked explosiveness last week, and the team was too mistake-prone. Until Carolina remotely looks like an NFL-caliber operation, keep fading it.
Over/Under
UNDER 39 (-110) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.
The Under cashed for the Bolts last week, as the defense was especially suffocating against the Raiders. LA should find more success against the toothless Carolina offense.
The Panthers were shellshocked early by the Saints pass attack on the fast track at Caesars Superdome. The Chargers aren’t that kind of team, as they’re more content with running the ball and keeping the clock moving. That’s a trait Under bettors like a lot.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Access more NFL coverage:
BetFTW | TheHuddle Fantasy Football | BearsWire | BengalsWire | BillsWire | BroncosWire | BrownsWire | BucsWire | CardsWire | ChargersWire | ChiefsWire | ColtsWire | CommandersWire | CowboysWire | DolphinsWire | EaglesWire | FalconsWire | GiantsWire | JaguarsWire | JetsWire | LionsWire | NinersWire | PackersWire | PanthersWire | PatriotsWire | RaidersWire | RamsWire | RavensWire | SaintsWire | SeahawksWire | SteelersWire | TexansWire | TitansWire | VikingsWire | DraftWire | TouchdownWire | ListWire
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1367]