How many games will the Los Angeles Chargers win in the 2020 NFL season? We look at BetMGM‘s projected win total and the Over/Under odds, while looking back at the 2019 season and key offseason roster changes.
Los Angeles Chargers’ 2019 season
- Record: 5-11 (4th in AFC West)
- Against the Spread (ATS): 4-9-3
- Over/Under: 7-9
To be fair, the Chargers tied a league record by losing nine games by seven points or fewer, and they ranked in the top 10 in both yards gained and yards allowed.
Their two biggest stories that led to this poor finish: (1) Quarterback Philip Rivers rarely felt comfortable behind the Chargers’ maligned offensive line, and (2) franchise safety Derwin James (foot) missed the first 12 games.
Los Angeles Chargers’ 2020 offseason changes
Rivers bolted to the Colts this offseason. L.A. will wait out the present with Tyrod Taylor while planning for a future with first-round pick Justin Herbert.
The Chargers likely will want more downfield shots in its new offensive scheme, directed by OC Shane Steichen. If he captures the job under center at some point this season, Herbert would have a better arm-strength profile to accomplish this goal than Taylor.
The club also let Melvin Gordon walk and will divide most of the work between the tackles with solid backup Justin Jackson and rookie Joshua Kelley.
The offensive line remains one of the league’s worst, which could be the team’s major hindrance this year. If they can at least stay afloat to give Taylor or Herbert protection, however, the Chargers still have plenty of tantalizing skill players including 2019 breakout back Austin Ekeler; wideouts Keenan Allen and Mike Williams; and tight end Hunter Henry.
The real strength could be their defense, led by James; elite pass-rushers Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram; and lockdown cornerback Casey Hayward.
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Los Angeles Chargers’ 2020 schedule
Week 1: at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 2: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week 3: vs. Carolina Panthers
Week 4: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 5: at New Orleans Saints
Week 6: vs. New York Jets
Week 7: at Miami Dolphins
Week 8: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 9: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: at Denver Broncos
Week 12: at Buffalo Bills
Week 13: vs. New England Patriots
Week 14: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week 15: at Las Vegas Raiders
Week 16: vs. Denver Broncos
Week 17: at Kansas City Chiefs
Los Angeles Chargers 2020 win total: Best bet
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Odds updated Saturday, Aug. 8, at 8:45 a.m. ET.
Projected wins: 7.5 … OVER: -134 / UNDER: +110
- Likely wins: 5 — Bengals, Panthers, Jets, Raiders, Jaguars
- Likely losses: 8 — Chiefs x2, Buccaneers, Saints, Raiders, Broncos (away), Bills, Patriots
- Borderline: 3 — Falcons, Dolphins, Broncos (home)
I expect the Broncos and Raiders to improve this year, meaning I can’t count on better than a split from the clearly rebuilding Bolts.
Weeks 6-9 could be a nice stretch to steal four straight victories if everything comes together, and maybe their much-deprecated homefield situation won’t matter as much without fans in LA’s new SoFi Stadium.
Still, the Broncos and Raiders are moving upward, while the Chargers may struggle to find an offensive identity, despite their ample talent.
However, I don’t predict them finishing better than .500, so I’d shade on the low end and BET the Under 7.5 (+110).
Exact Season Wins: Bands
- 0-4 wins: +1200
- 5-8 wins: -209
- 9-12 wins: +185
- 13-16 wins: +5000
The 5-8 bracket is obviously a less rewarding trap than the 0-4 and 9-12, but I don’t see the Chargers falling into either. PASS.
Exact Wins: Best Bet
Exactly 7 wins (+290)
I could guide this down to Exactly 6 wins (+400) for a bigger return, but they’ll probably sneak away with two of those three borderline games.
See the full breakdown of BetMGM’s Chargers season-special bets.
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