Chargers vs. Rams Odds
| Chargers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -105 | 33.5 -115o / -105u | +135 |
| Rams Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -115 | 33.5 -115o / -105u | -160 |
A pair of Los Angeles teams seemingly headed in opposite directions open preseason play Saturday night when the Chargers “visit” Sofi Stadium to take on the Rams. Expectations for the Bolts are once again sky-high, while the Rams figure to be in for a long year.
If this was the regular season, it’d be a no-brainer to back the Bolts. However, a look at who's expected to play quarterback for each team gives the Rams an edge.
Chargers vs. Rams
Matchup Analysis
The Chargers take the field for the first time after blowing a 27-0 lead in last year’s Wild Card loss to the Jaguars. It proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Joe Lombardi, who was fired and replaced by the highly regarded Kellen Moore. Everyone expects fireworks from Justin Herbert and company in 2023, but that’ll have to wait.
Instead, we’ll be treated to a heavy dose of Easton Stick, who head coach Brandon Staley said will play “a healthy amount” of snaps. The team’s 2019 fifth-round pick out of North Dakota State has only one regular-season pass attempt to his name and hasn’t exactly set the world on fire during preseason play throughout his career.
Stick's appeared in 10 exhibition games over the years, completing 90-of-144 attempts (62.5%) for a mere 795 yards and three touchdowns. The Bolts likely need to determine if Stick will be their primary backup quarterback, or if that’ll belong to rookie Max Duggan.
Bet Chargers vs. Rams at FanDuel
Meanwhile, for the Rams, Brett Rypien may get the start, but Stetson Bennett figures to see the lion’s share of snaps. Bennett was a flat-out stud in college, leading Georgia to back-to-back national titles. Los Angeles grabbed him in the fourth round of this year’s draft, which may end up being a steal as his advanced age (26) is a reason he was available that late. Word out of training camp is that he's impressed mightily.
The Rams need to see if Bennett can be the long-term successor to the 35-year-old Stafford, who is heading toward the end of an injury-riddled career.
Chargers vs. Rams
Betting Picks & Predictions
The NFL is a quarterback-driven league, but that typically means nothing in the preseason. However, this is a rare case where it might matter. Stick is a journeyman who hasn’t shown much in five years. Meanwhile, Bennett led one of the most prestigious programs in college history to back-to-back titles.
There's not a ton to go on heading into Saturday's preseason opener, but I can’t get over the discrepancy in the expected quarterbacks, which is why I like the Rams laying the three points.
