Chargers vs. Ravens Spread Prediction
After rallying to victory down 14 points in the final five minutes last week in Kansas City, the Chargers return home Saturday night to host the Ravens at 8:20 p.m. ET. Will Lamar Jackson and Co. cover the spread as a small road dog?
Game Snapshot
123 Baltimore Ravens at 124 Los Angeles Chargers
8:20 p.m. ET, Saturday, December 22
StubHub Center, Carson, California
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Chargers are 4-point favorites to beat the Ravens. The total, meanwhile, sits at 42 points. As of this writing, 59% of the public betting tickets are on the Chargers to cover the point spread.
Baltimore Ravens
Joe Flacco was left off the injury report on Monday. It’s the first time Flacco has been completely left off the injury report since his November 4th hip injury. Flacco will remain Lamar Jackson’s backup for the Week 16 game the Chargers.
Los Angeles Chargers
According to NFL Network’s Steve Wyche, Keenan Allen (questionable, hip) is expected to play Week 16 against the Ravens. Wyche’s exact words were, “I’ve been given every indication that he will be playing.” Bolts coach Anthony Lynn implied yesterday that Allen would be a game-time call for Saturday night’s game against Baltimore, but apparently he’s shown enough in his workouts to get the green light. Obviously Allen carries far greater risk than usual this week—the threat of an in-game setback looms large while Allen’s hip pointer could ultimately relegate him to decoy status. That being said, Allen should still be started without hesitation in season-long leagues.
NFL Betting Trends
Baltimore
The Ravens are 7-3-1 against the spread in their last 11 road games but are just 1-4 ATS in their last five games when facing a team with a winning record.
Los Angeles
The Chargers are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games overall but are just 2-5 ATS in their last seven home games.
Prediction
The Chargers have won four straight games, including fourth-quarter comebacks versus the Steelers and Chiefs in the past three weeks. Now they’re expected to get Melvin Gordon back from injury, which will provide a boost to their running game. The Ravens will be up for the challenge defensively, but this is also Baltimore’s third road game in the past four weeks. While it’s tempting to back a live dog like the Ravens, I worry about Baltimore fading in the second half.
NFL Week 16 Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers -4