The days of live betting the Los Angeles Chargers to fail at the tail end of games has more than likely come to an end with the dismissal of Anthony Lynn. Whether the new coaching staff led by Brandon Staley fares better in end games is to be determined. Regardless, NFL bettors should collectively pour one out for the money train that was offered up from 2017-20. With reigning Rookie of the Year Award winner Justin Herbert back for his sophomore campaign, many seem to be bullish on the Bolts improving upon their 7-9 SU record from a season ago. Include me in the bunch of forward thinkers. LA might’ve failed to eclipse its season win total odds at online sportsbooks last season, but it went on to cover nine of its 16 played games. If you exclude the 45-0 drubbing at the hands of New England in Week 13, the Chargers eight other losses came by an average of just 5.3 points per game. A majority of those losses can be blamed on an ignorant coaching staff that had zero semblance of a killer instinct in its DNA. That’s no longer the case! Los Angeles returns a bulk of players from last year’s squad on both sides of the ball and made some major upgrades along the offensive line. Hopefully the new coaching staff figures out a way to tap into all that talent and sees the end results all the way through.
Los Angeles Chargers Season Win Total: 9.5 Under -138
The Chargers went 2-2 against their win total in the four years under Lynn with each of the last two failing to cash over tickets. That’s one of the main reasons why he’s no longer calling the shots from the sideline. Linemakers hit LA with a 9-game win total for the 2021-22 season even though it only managed a seven win campaign a year ago. In doing so, it marks the fourth straight season that the Chargers own a 9-game or higher win total. During that stretch, the franchise has only qualified for the playoffs once; another reason why a number of people aren’t still employed by Dean Spanos. The impost has since been bet up to 9.5 with heavy vig attached to the under. Preseason schedule strength finds the Bolts clocking in at No. 11 per Sharp Football Stats. Los Angeles was also inserted into three primetime telecasts over the course of the regular season. The arrow has been pointing up for this franchise for a number of seasons. Much like the Cleveland Browns last year, hopefully the new coaching staff is the catalyst that allows for it to finally bust out and give the AFC mainstays a major run for their money!
NFL Regular Season Wins Odds at BookMaker
Los Angeles Chargers Football Schedule
Week 1: Chargers at Washington, Sunday, September 12, 1 p.m. ET
Week 2: Cowboys at Chargers, Sunday, September 19, 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 3: Chargers at Chiefs, Sunday, September 26, 1 p.m. ET
Week 4: Raiders at Chargers, Monday, October 4, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
Week 5: Browns at Chargers, Sunday, October 10, 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 6: Chargers at Ravens, Sunday, October 17, 1 p.m. ET
Week 7: Bye Week
Week 8: Patriots at Chargers, Sunday, October 31, 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 9: Chargers at Eagles, Sunday, November 7, 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 10: Vikings at Chargers, Sunday, November 14, 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 11: Steelers at Chargers, Sunday, November 21, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
Week 12: Chargers at Broncos, Sunday, November 28, 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 13: Chargers at Bengals, Sunday, December 5, 1 p.m. ET
Week 14: Giants at Chargers, Sunday, December 13, 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 15: Chiefs at Chargers, Thursday, December 16, 8:20 p.m. ET, NFL Network
Week 16: Chargers at Texans, Sunday, December 26, 1 p.m. ET
Week 17: Broncos at Chargers, Sunday, January 2, 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 18: Chargers at Raiders, Sunday, January 9, 4:25 p.m. ET
Los Angeles Chargers Season Win Total Analysis
While the losses of Hunter Henry, Melvin Ingram and Casey Heyward will sting, I’m still a fan of the moves made in the offseason to fill those holes in and some. Knowing full well that Herbert is the key ingredient to overall success, the Bolts upgraded their offensive line in a big way. Think the Cincinnati Bengals took notice? Probably not. A pair of guards and center Corey Linsley were brought in via free agency while offensive tackle Rashawn Slater was selected in the draft. Pro Football Focus has the unit ranked No. 18 overall heading into the regular season. While that’s still a smidge below average, PFF also expects it to be one of the most improved front walls with room for growth. Keep in mind, prior versions routinely ranked out in the bottom five of the league. Should it gel quickly, LA has the weapons at both wide receiver and running back to make sweet music for player prop and fantasy players throughout 2021-22. So long as the defense is able to avoid the injury bug unlike last season, LA will boast one of the more complete and better balanced rosters in the NFL. It should equate to a number of wins from an outright perspective.
Unfortunately, I don’t foresee the season kicking off with a dub in D.C. The Football Team’s defense isn’t the unit you want to run up against the first time with the offense as a whole still coming together. That likely won’t be the case the following week against a laughable Dallas Cowboys defense. Look for the Bolts to churn out one of their best scoring outputs of the season in that one! The litmus test in Kansas City Week 3 will also be tough to score a win in. I personally only have the Chargers lined as underdogs in two of their final 14 games. While the Bolts campaign ultimately lies upon Herbert, a retooled offensive line and the defense avoiding mass injuries unlike year’s past, I’m still very bullish on the prospects of Los Angeles winning a majority of its games. This is a talented group that I still feel is being overlooked by linemakers. Should it get out to a poor start through the Week 7 bye, I’d be searching everywhere for odds on the Chargers qualifying for the playoffs and hit yes confidently. Either way, look for the Chargers to log 10 wins and cash over tickets with relative ease.
Los Angeles Chargers Season Win Total Prediction: Over 9.5
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