2021 Los Angeles Chargers Betting Preview: Odds, Lines, & Predictions

2021 Los Angeles Chargers Betting Preview

The Chargers have all of the makings of a darkhorse playoff team. They have a young rocket-armed quarterback in Justin Herbert who excelled in the starting role on his way to his OROY season.

Los Angeles also has weapons and protection for him as the Chargers were big spenders this offseason. This was to make sure Herbert has everything he needs to bring the Chargers to the playoffs. At running back they are set as Austin Ekeler leads the charge as one of the best receiving backs in the league. Their receiving corps is also solid as Keenan Allen is a true number 1 receiver and Mike Williams is one of the best downfield threats in the league. Their tight ends are also pretty good as NFL journeyman Jared Cook is the number 1 option for them.

The Chargers’ defense should also be better than they were a year ago because a few key players are returning. All-Pro safety Derwin James is coming off a right knee injury and he joins DT Lindval Joseph and rookie Asante Samuel Jr. for an overall improved unit.

2020 Los Angeles Chargers Team Stats

• Points For: 390
• Points Against: 431
• Passing Yards Per Game: 270.6
• Rushing Yards Per Game: 111.5
• Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 223.6
• Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 119.8

Key Offseason Transactions

The Chargers think they found their next franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert and have given him everything he needs to win them the division. Last year, the Chargers had horrible pass protection and Herbert still played well despite it. Now imagine how good Herbert will be when the Chargers tooled him with monster free agent signings in center Corey Linsley and guard Matt Feiler? Not to mention that the Chargers also used their first-round draft pick to get left tackle Rashawn Slater to further make sure no one touches Herbert.

The Chargers didn’t need much help on the outside or in the backfield, they did draft WR Josh Palmer to further add to Los Angeles’ arsenal, but they certainly needed help in the secondary. So they picked the highly talented Asante Samuel Jr. who should help lock the field down with safety Derwin James. You could see the Chargers look bad on defense this year because of their lack of talent on that side of the ball, but their offense is going to be a light show and must-watch TV.

2020 Los Angeles Chargers Betting Stats

• Record: 7-9
• MOV:  -2.2
• ATS: 9-7
• ATS +/-:  -3.5
• Over/Under: 9-7
• Total +/-: +4

2021 Los Angeles Chargers Betting Outlook

This Chargers’ offense is going to be something special in 2021.

QB Justin Herbert looked like the real deal in his rookie season and that was despite having some of the worst protection in the league. Now he has a real offensive line and the same dynamic weapons he had last year. So you easily see the Chargers’ putting up 40 points on a weekly basis because of the way they like to air out the ball.

And they might need to do that in order to win because their defense is nothing special. They have some playmakers in the secondary and on the defensive line, but this defense is young and unproven meaning overs for Chargers games could be the play.

The Chargers were solid ATS and on the over/under points totals and those numbers should actually improve this season because of all of the upgrades they made to their team.

Los Angeles Chargers Super Bowl Odds

The Chargers have middle-of-the-pack odds to win the Super Bowl this season at +3300.

These are the same odds that the Patriots and Cardinals have and Los Angeles might be the most complete team out of the three. The thing that puts the Chargers over the other teams is the fact that they have the franchise quarterback. Kyler Murray is an excellent player, but he is not the same thrower Herbert is and the Patriots are just waiting to see if Mac Jones is ready to take over as their QB.

The Chargers are apparently worse than teams like the Chiefs, Buccaneers, Bills, Rams, Ravens, 49ers, Browns, Packers, Broncos, Colts, Seahawks, Cowboys, Saints, Titans, and Dolphins.

This doesn’t feel right because having the type of player like Justin Herbert helps a team overperform more than Vegas can adjust for. Look out for the Chargers as a sneaky good playoff team.

Los Angeles Chargers Playoff Odds

The Chargers are one of several teams bidding for a wildcard playoff spot and Vegas has close odds for the team. The odds that the Chargers make the playoffs are +137 and the odds that they miss the playoffs are -167.

These are some of the closest odds in the league and it makes sense. The Chargers are probably not going to win the AFC West, as the Chiefs are more talented than them and the Chiefs are hungry and motivated to prove that they are the top dog of the NFL after they got embarrassed in the Super Bowl.

That means they will have to earn a wildcard spot and boy are there a lot of teams trying to do the same thing. The Patriots, Dolphins, Raiders, Steelers, Ravens, Browns, Titans, and Colts are the teams that the Chargers are fighting with to claim one of three wildcard spots.

The Chargers will need to play their A-game every week and having a guy like Justin Herbert will certainly help your chances of playing in a big game come January.

Los Angeles Chargers Win Total Odds

The Chargers are another one of those teams that Vegas has a wins total line at 9 wins. Five teams have a similar situation and a bunch of those teams happens to be competing with the Chargers in the Patriots, Dolphins, and Titans. The odds that Los Angeles wins over 9 games is -110 while the odds that they lose less than 9 games is also -110.

If we look at their schedule we can see some games that they should win and some games that they can compete in before probably losing. Some games that they have to win are their games against the Cowboys, Eagles, Broncos at least once, Bengals, and Texans. Then are their harder games and there are a lot of them. The Chargers have to play the Football Team, Chiefs twice, Raiders twice, Patriots, Vikings, Browns, Ravens, Steelers, and Giants.

That is a fairly tough schedule, but the Chargers have the talent where they can manufacture some wins that they probably shouldn’t have and go deep into the playoffs.

Los Angeles Chargers Player Future Odds

Many people around the league think that QB Justin Herbert can take a big leap forward in 2021 and compete for the MVP. Herbert has already won the OROY and his odds for the MVP are not bad at +2000. These are the 9th best odds in the league and Herbert is currently behind superstars like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Lamar Jackson, Russell Wilson, Matthew Stafford, and tied with Deshaun Watson. Not bad for a guy that came out of college looking bad just 2 seasons ago.

The Chargers don’t really have anyone noteworthy for the DPOY or OROY awards, but they do have a guy that can win the DROY award in Asante Samuel Jr. His odds are at +4000 which has incredible value for a guy known as a lockdown corner and a ball hawk if the ball came anywhere near him.