Chargers vs. Washington Football Team odds, Picks, Predictions
Looking for Chargers vs. Washington Football Team odds? Follow along as sports betting analyst Nick Galaida previews the Week 1 matchup at FedEx Field. He breaks down each team, analyzes the spread, and concludes with a free NFL betting pick. If you’re in Virginia, make sure to check out our favorite Virginia online sportsbooks.
Chargers vs. Washington Football Team Odds
| Chargers Odds | +1 |
| Football Team Odds | -1 |
| Over/Under | 44.5 |
| Date | Sunday, Sept. 12 |
| Time | 1:00 p.m. |
| TV | CBS |
Odds accurate as of Friday at Caesars, where you can claim your $5,000 Risk-Free Bet!
On Sunday afternoon, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, Justin Herbert, and the Los Angeles Chargers will travel to the nation’s capitol to take on the Washington Football Team. Oddsmakers are expecting a tightly-contested affair, pricing the Chargers as one-point favorites on the spread.
Let’s take a deeper look at the matchup to see where bettors can find value at sportsbooks in this contest.
Los Angeles Chargers +1 (-110)
Herbert set the rookie touchdown record last season, despite not even playing the full schedule. Part of his success was elite red-zone production—throwing for 20 touchdowns and only 1 interception near the goal-line. Herbert was also excellent when throwing the ball down the field, compiling a 107.4 passer rating, 12 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions on throws targeted 20 or more yards from the line of scrimmage. If there is one area in which he needs to improve, it is his accuracy. Herbert committed a number of turnover-worthy throws, and was fortunate to only have 10 interceptions last year. The Chargers could be without their top running back on Sunday. Austin Ekeler did not practice on Wednesday and is a legitimate threat to be on the sidelines for the season opener. If he is forced to miss the contest, Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley would likely handle the bulk of the workload in the backfield.
In 2020, the Chargers’ defense finished 10th in yards allowed per game, but their pass defense was much better than their run defense. Their pass defense could be even better in 2021 with the return of star Derwin James to the secondary, and the addition of Brandon Staley as the team’s new Head Coach. Joey Bosa is one of the best pass rushers in football, but Jerry Tillery, Justin Jones, and Uchenna Nwosu have all been underwhelming during the early parts of their career. Better production from Tillery, Jones, and Nwosu could make this one of the best defenses in football in 2021.
Washington Football Team -1 (-110)
Ryan Fitzpatrick is often thought of in the same way that many people think of leftover lasagna. Yet, his play on the field is far better than his reputation would otherwise suggest. While his deep-ball is prone to finding its way into the opposing team’s hands, the right Head Coach could turn him into a lethal game manager—especially in a situation such as Washington where he can lean on an elite defense to do the heavy lifting. On throws within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage in 2020, he compiled a 113.1 QBR, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. If Antonio Gibson can make opposing defense’s respect the rushing attack for Washington, it will open up opportunities down field for Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, and Adam Humphries. This is an underrated offensive attack heading into the new season.
Last fall, the Washington defense was one of the best in the league—ranking top-five in both yards and points allowed. Chase Young recorded 7.5 sacks and forced four fumbles en route to winning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. The rest of the defensive line features outstanding players such as Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, and Montez Sweat. William Jackson III played well in 2020 after a down year in 2019. If Kendall Fuller can play even somewhat close to his 2016 form this fall, Washington’s pass defense could improve dramatically for the upcoming season. First round draft pick Jamin Davis has the tools to be an immediate impact player for a linebacker unit that is undoubtedly the biggest question mark on the defensive side of the ball for the Football Team.
Chargers vs. Football Team Picks
Herbert was excellent as a rookie for the Chargers, but he will face one of the most formidable defenses in the NFL on Sunday afternoon. While Herbert performed well under pressure last fall, there is a lot of volatility in that statistic from year to year, meaning that it does not have much predictive validity carrying over to a new season. Ekeler’s absence would only make life more difficult for Herbert and the passing attack on Sunday. Washington has a strong enough defense to be competitive every week. If Fitzpatrick can play reasonably well in this one, the Football Team should be able to find the win column in Week 1.
PICK: Football Team +1 (-110)
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