Chargers Betting Preview 2023: Futures Picks & Predictions for L.A.
Our Los Angeles Chargers betting preview focuses on a variety of markets from thebest NFL betting sites. Here are our picks for the Chargers' 2023 win total, division finishing position, and other futures markets using the latest NFL futures odds.
The Los Angeles Chargers are coming off their first playoff appearance since 2018, but it was short-lived after they lost in embarrassing fashion to the Jacksonville Jaguars during the wild-card round. The Bolts raced out to a 27-0 lead, then were outscored 31-3 the rest of the way in the 31-30 loss.
The Chargers have made several significant changes since then, both to their coaching staff and roster. Will that be enough for L.A. to finally slay the AFC West giants in the Kansas City Chiefs? Can the Chargers make good on their preseason promise?
We've highlighted a number of betting markets to target on the 2023 Chargers.
best sports betting apps (pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Chargers betting preview 2023
Chargers to win Over 9.5 games (-115 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Chargers finished 10-7 in 2022 while recording their first double-digit win campaign in four years. They've improved gradually since their last playoff trip, going from five wins in 2019 to seven in 2020, nine in 2021, and 10 last year.
Now sportsbooks are setting the Over/Under win total at 9.5 games, with juice on the Over.
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The Chargers play in one of the NFL's most competitive divisions and face the 14th-most difficult schedule, based on win percentages from 2022. But they get two games each against the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders, and matchups with the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, and Tennessee Titans, teams that should challenge for last place in their respective divisions. Take the Over.
Division straight forecast: Chiefs 1st, Chargers 2nd (+180 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
L.A. is considered a long shot to win the Super Bowl and the AFC, but is priced as the second-favorite to finish atop the AFC West. The Chiefs have won the division every year since 2016, and 2023 should be no different.
Chargers to finish second in the division carries +175 odds at DraftKings. We're staunch in our belief that only the Chiefs will best the Bolts in the division standings, and will instead target the extra five cents offered in the straight forecast market.
Chargers highest scoring team in NFL (+1600 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐
We made our argument for why bettors should back the Chargers to lead the league in scoring in our highest scoring NFL team picks.
The Chargers cut ties with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi after his scheme that emphasized short passing resulted in L.A. dropping from fourth in scoring in 2021 to ninth in 2022. Enter former Dallas offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who helped the Cowboys rank first in scoring in 2021.
Big-armed quarterback Justin Herbert will also have more weapons at his disposal after the team drafted TCU receiving star Quentin Johnston with its first-round pick in 2023. With Johnston aboard and running back Austin Ekeler still in the fold after renegotiating his contract, all the pieces are in place for the Bolts to break the scoreboard weekly.
Quentin Johnston to win Offensive Rookie of the Year (+2500 via FanDuel, Caesars) ⭐⭐
Johnston should immediately slot in as a deep threat in the Chargers' offense. He averaged 19 yards per catch during his three college seasons, and the franchise quarterback is already fantasizing about the possibilities with the 6-foot-3, 208-pound wideout.
No. 1 receiver Keenan Allen missed seven games due to various ailments in 2023, and vertical threat Mike Williams was sidelined for four weeks before sitting out the Chargers' lone playoff game. Johnston will get his opportunities in three-receiver sets, but he should also benefit from more responsibilities when the Chargers' oft-injured top pass-catchers inevitably miss time.
Johnston is well worth the gamble at +2500 odds to be named Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Justin Herbert most regular season passing yards (+700 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐
We've also laid out the case for Herbert to lead the way in this stat category in our NFL regular-season passing yards leader odds.
Herbert threw for 4,739 yards in 2022, finishing second only to the Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes. He's registered the second-most passing yards in the last two seasons.
With Moore and Johnston aboard and an emphasis put on advancing past the wild-card round this season, expect the Chargers to throw the ball all over the field, and for those holding Herbert tickets to reap the benefits.
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