Buccaneers vs Chargers Prediction, Odds and Picks

On By Littum

The Los Angeles Chargers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday in a crucial matchup with playoff implications. The Chargers sit solidly in 6th place in the AFC and their remaining schedule includes hosting the Denver Broncos before road games against the Patriots and Raiders. They are coming off a 19-17 loss at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs, and their five losses this year have come against the Chiefs, Ravens, Steelers and Cardinals. Their biggest issue heading into this matchup is the overall health of key players, as Joey Bosa (hip), Will Dissly (shoulder) and Justin Herbert (ankle/thigh) all missed Wednesday’s practice, but Ladd McConkey was a limited participant, which is good to see after he missed their Week 14 loss to Kansas City.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will travel across the country for this matchup, and their current health outlook isn’t much better. The Bucs lost key safety Antoine Winfield Jr. last week due to a foot/knee injury and will miss Sunday’s contest. Additionally, Tristan Wirfs (foot/knee), Mike Evans (hamstring), Bucky Irving (back/hip) and Sterling Shepard (foot) all missed Wednesday’s practice, and it feels like QB Baker Mayfield is the only healthy player on this team. He has carried the Bucs this season as Tampa is averaging 379.2 yards per carry. game (3rd in NFL) and scoring 27.9 PPG (5th in NFL).

Although the Bucs have been on a nice run winning 3 straight, those games came against the Giants, Panthers and Raiders who have a combined 7 wins this season. Additionally, they benefit from an easy schedule down the stretch as they will face the Cowboys, Panthers and Saints, who have a combined record of 15-26. The Chargers have covered all 5 times this season when they are 3+ point favorites and the Bucs can lose this game and still win the NFC South. Herbert’s health is a concern, but I expect him to suit up on Sunday and back the Chargers to win by a field goal or more in front of their home fans.

Buccaneers vs Chargers Prediction: Los Angeles -2.5 (-120) available at time of publication. Can bet on that number down to -125.

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