Bengals vs Chargers Free Pick, NFL Free Picks, NFL Predictions 11/17/24
- J.A. Cavalier
- Nov 17, 2024
- 3 min read
CINCINNATI @ LA CHARGERS (LAC -1.5, 47.5)
NFL ODDS, NFL PREDICTIONS, NFL PREVIEWS
BENGALS @ CHARGERS 11/17/24
The Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals will play each other on Sunday night in prime time and on national television. The big reason the NFL chose this game is because of the presence of two elite quarterbacks.
Just past the halfway point of the schedule, the Chargers (6-3) have won three straight and are headed on a path toward the AFC’s postseason. The Chargers got flexed into tonight’s game so that QB Justin Herbert can take on Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow.
Despite a sub-.500 record, the Bengals (4-6) are only one game away from the final AFC postseason spot and still have work to do to get into the playoffs with Burrow leading the way. Sunday's game pits the Bengals' outstanding offense against the Chargers' much-improved defense. The Chargers defense makes this game more than just a matchup of quarterbacks chosen in the first round of the 2020 draft.
The Bengals rank fifth in the NFL with an average of 27 points per game. Despite giving up an NFL-best 13.1 points per game, the Chargers' comparatively easy schedule has led to doubts. They defeated the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and New Orleans Saints 27–17 last Sunday, continuing their winning streak. Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers' new head coach, stated he was looking for an identity going into the season, and the team has finally been able to find it.
The Chargers' defense recorded seven sacks last week despite star outside linebacker Khalil Mack (groin) being limited to just four plays. Herbert only managed 164 yards passing and a touchdown in Sunday's victory. Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree each had two sacks. The Chargers' 31 total sacks tie them for fourth place in the NFL. Although Mack did not practice during the week, it is uncertain if cornerback Deane Leonard (hamstring) will play for Los Angeles going into the game.
With an average of 254.8 yards per game, the Bengals have the fourth-best passing offense in the NFL going into the season. Burrow leads the NFL with 2,672 passing yards and is tied for first place with 24 touchdown passes. His four TD passes were not enough to beat Baltimore in a primetime game on Nov. 7.
Cincinnati had plenty of time to get ready for another Harbaugh family member thanks to the mini-bye after playing on Thursday. It's time for Jim Harbaugh's Chargers after their loss to brother John Harbaugh's Ravens. Against the Ravens, Ja'Marr Chase caught 11 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns. With 38 seconds left, he made his last TD catch to cut Cincinnati to one point, but the two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
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Coach Rick Free Pick
JOE BURROW OVER 1.5 PASSING TDS
The Chargers passing defense ranks in the top 10. LA gives up an average of 1 passing touchdown per game, but they really haven’t faced an elite quarterback like Burrow. Gardner Minshew, Bryce Young, Spencer Rattler, Will Levis? C’mon! These aren’t exactly the best of the best. However, even Levis and rookie Bo Nix had two TD passes against the Chargers. Levis had his two scoring passes just last week. Burrow has thrown 9 TD passes in his last two games. He’s gone Over this prop in 7 of his 10 games this season.
