Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Chargers Odds, Prediction & Pick
Bears vs. Chargers Odds
| Bears Odds | +9.5 |
| Chargers Odds | -9.5 |
| Over/Under | 46 |
| Date | Sun, Oct. 29 |
| Time | 8:20 p.m. |
| TV | NBC |
This week’s edition of Sunday Night Football will feature the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Chargers from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Entering play, Chicago is 2-5 and in the basement of the NFC North division. Los Angeles is 2-4 and in third place in the AFC West division.
Ahead of kickoff in this matchup, oddsmakers have priced the Chargers as 9.5-point favorites on the spread. The total for this contest is set at over/under 46 points.
Let’s take a deeper look at the matchup to see where NFL bettors can find value at sportsbooks in this contest.
Chicago Bears
What to expect from Tyson Bagent
Tyson Bagent made his first career NFL start in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders and looked perfectly competent. He finished 21-of-29 for 162 passing yards without committing a turnover. He took only one sack and completed a pass to eight different receivers.
Despite looking somewhat capable last week, expectations for Bagent should be low in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Raiders had the 4th-worst defensive pressure rate of any team in the NFL last weekend, while the Chargers ranked 9th-best in that metric.
Bagent was only 2-for-7 for seven passing yards under pressure against the Raiders. In relief of Justin Fields the week prior, Bagent was only 3-for-6 for 10 passing yards when under pressure. Center Lucas Patrick was a late-add to this week’s injury report with a back injury. If he is unable to go, Bagent could be in trouble this evening, especially with Nate Davis already ruled out.
Eddie Jackson expected to return for Sunday Night Football
Safety Eddie Jackson is expected to make his return to the field tonight against the Chargers after logging a full practice on Friday. Jackson has played only 29 snaps since playing 60 snaps in Week 1. Jackson was one of the best safeties in the NFL in 2022, finishing 13th out of 88 players at his position according to PFF’s grading system. His presence will provide an immediate boost to the Chicago secondary unit, which has struggled mightily so far this fall. Through seven weeks of action, Chicago’s defense ranked 27th in passing yards allowed per play. This group should have an opportunity to improve in that aspect of the game with Jackson healthy, beginning tonight.
Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert looking to put an end turnover woes
After throwing zero interceptions through the first three weeks of the season, Justin Herbert has given the ball away four times in his last three games played. During that stretch, Herbert has thrown for only 217.7 yards per game and has equally as many passing touchdowns as interceptions.
Notably, Herbert suffered a non-throwing hand injury at the beginning of the month against the Raiders, after which his numbers have fallen off considerably. It will be worth monitoring how he looks in the early portion of tonight’s contest against the Bears.
Chargers defense not getting the job done
Ahead of kickoff on Sunday, the Chargers defense ranks 31st out of 32 teams in yards allowed per play. This unit ranks 16th against the run and 32nd against the pass, in terms of yards allowed per play. No team in the NFL has allowed more first downs per game this season than the Chargers.
There are no notable injuries to report for Los Angeles in Week 8 on this side of the ball, but this group remains a concern nonetheless. If they are unable to get pressure on Bagent, the Chargers could find themselves in a competitive game in the fourth quarter.
Bears vs. Chargers – Picks & Predictions
The Bears have not played well so far in 2023, but the return of safety Eddie Jackson is likely to benefit their secondary unit immensely. Justin Herbert has not played well at all across his last three games, and he does not have an elite defense supporting him. Los Angeles has not won a game by more than seven points this season and had only two wins last season by more than 10 points. This game is likely to be more competitive than the market is currently suggesting.
PICK: Bears +10 (-120, Fanatics Sportsbook)