Los Angeles Chargers vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 12/9/18 Predictions & Odds

Bengals vs. Chargers Prediction

Will the Los Angeles Chargers face any resistance from the Cincinnati Bengals when the two AFC foes meet up in L.A. today at 4:05PM ET?

Game Snapshot & Odds

125 Cincinnati Bengals at 126 Los Angeles Chargers

Sunday, December 9, 2018

4:05PM ET – ROKiT Field at StubHub Center

TV: CBS

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Chargers are the heavy favorite in this game, as they are getting odds of -15 points against the Bengals. The over/under total for the game is listed at 48 points. The public betting for this game currently has 65 percent going on the Chargers at home.

Chargers in the mix in AFC

The Chargers are coming off their biggest win of the season, 33-30 at Pittsburgh last week, overcoming a 16-point deficit. Los Angeles is 9-3 on the season, 7-5 against the spread and 7-5 with the over. The Chargers have covered the spread in four of their last five games.

Los Angeles has been very steady all year on offense, averaging 28.3 points and 399.4 yards per game. Philip Rivers is an MVP candidate as he has thrown for 3,418 yards with 28 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Keenan Allen is his top receiver with 83 catches for 996 yards and five touchdowns. Melvin Gordon is the team’s leading rusher with 802 yards and nine touchdowns, but he is out today with a knee injury. Defensively, Los Angeles is holding opponents to 20.8 points and 334.9 yards per game.

Bengals in a freefall

The Bengals are coming off a 24-10 loss at home to the Broncos last week, their fourth consecutive loss on the season. Cincy is now 5-7 overall, 5-7 against the spread and 8-4 with the over. They are just 1-6 against the spread in their last seven games.

Cincinnati is beat up right now and it’s impacting their offensive numbers. They average just 23.8 points and 331.5 yards per game this season. Both Andy Dalton (thumb) and A.J. Green (toe) have been put on season-ending IR and running back Joe Mixon is questionable for Sunday’s game with a foot injury. Jeff Driskel gets the start under center on Sunday. He has thrown for 475 yards and two touchdowns with one interception this season. Tyler Boyd is the team’s leading receiver with 69 catches for 938 yards and six touchdowns. The Bengals have the league’s worst defense this year, allowing 30.9 points and 433.1 yards per game.

NFL Betting Trends

Los Angeles

The Chargers are just 11-24 ATS in their last 35 at home, but 10-2 ATS in their last 12 Week-14 games.

Cincinnati

The Bengals are just 2-9 ATS in their last 11 Week-14 games, but 18-8 ATS in their last 26 games in December.

Prediction:

The spread is really big, but the Chargers have been pretty consistent about scoring. That shouldn’t stop against this awful Cincinnati defense. Los Angeles has also been respectable on defense and will be up to the challenge of taking on this depleted Cincinnati offense. Los Angeles just had a 35-point win over the Cardinals in their last home game and they also beat the Raiders by 16 at home. Cincinnati may not be better than those two in their current state. Hard to see the Bengals showing a lot of fire in this road game.

NFL Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers -15

Related: Bengals/Chargers Total Prediction