Last-Place Patriots Likely Shaking Up Quarterback Room
Chargers vs Patriots Betting Preview: LA Climbs to 5.5-Point Favs
Hoping to rejuvenate its fading playoff hopes, the Los Angeles Chargers will visit the New England Patriots in Week 13.
The Chargers, losers of three straight, have climbed to 5.5-point favorites (-110) after opening at -4.5. They’re also -240 on the moneyline, while the Patriots are +5.5 (-110) on the spread and +200 to win outright. The projected total is 40.5 (-110 Over, -110 Under), down from 42.5.
What should bettors expect? Read on as we break down both teams’ odds in our Chargers vs Patriots betting preview.
Chargers vs Patriots 
Date & time (TV):
Location: Gillette Stadium; Foxborough, Mass.
Streaming: CBS
Betting Trends
The Los Angeles Chargers are 4-7 against the spread, including 2-5 over their last seven NFL games. The total has gone Under in eight of the Chargers’ 11 games. That’s among the highest rates (72.7%) in the NFL.
Meanwhile, the New England Patriots are 2-9 ATS, including just 1-5 at home. That’s the league’s second-worst record ATS, ahead of only the Carolina Panthers (1-8-2). The total has also gone Under in eight of New England’s 11 games.
That’s important to remember when assessing the NFL odds in our Chargers vs Patriots betting preview.
From Bad to Worse
The New England Patriots remain in a freefall, with little to look forward to besides the NFL Draft next April. Losers of four straight, New England has dropped to 2-9. Only two teams, the 1-10 Panthers and 2-10 Arizona Cardinals, own worse records in the 2023 NFL standings.
New England’s been especially poor for bettors, carrying a 2-9 record ATS. Their 10-7 loss to the New York Giants in Week 12 was the fourth consecutive game they failed to cover. The Patriots, a favorite for only the fourth time this season, saw quarterback Mac Jones benched in favor of Bailey Zappe.
Zappe, a 2022 fourth-round pick, is expected to start Sunday, with Malik Cunningham possibly backing him up. Jones, who is second in the NFL with 12 interceptions, has been relegated to a spectator during first-team reps in practice this week. Zappe’s started twice before, completing 74.5% of his passes with three touchdowns and one interception.
Zappe will be tasked with sparking an offense that’s been futile. The Patriots rank 25th in yards per game (293.5) and 31st in scoring (13.5 PPG), with only one team, the Giants (13.3), averaging fewer points. They’ve topped 20 points just once this NFL season. Keep that in mind when analyzing the odds in our Chargers vs Patriots betting preview.
Fading Away
The Los Angeles Chargers fell 20-10 to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12 as their NFL playoff hopes keep fading. They’ve now dropped three straight to drop to 4-7, last place in the AFC West.
Even worse, the Chargers have been especially unkind to bettors of late. They’re just 2-5 ATS over their last seven games and 4-7 overall. Sunday was the third straight game in which the Chargers, 3-underdogs, failed to cover.
On top of that, the Chargers are now dealing with an injury to leading receiver Keenan Allen. The five-time Pro Bowler has missed multiple days of practice because of a sore quad, leaving his status for Week 13 in doubt. If he doesn’t play, it’d be a huge loss for Justin Herbert and the Chargers. Allen leads the NFL with 97 receptions to go with 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns. The Chargers are already without Mike Williams and Josh Palmer because of knee injuries.
The Chargers have remained productive offensively, ranking 11th in yards per game (347.5) and tied for eighth in scoring (24.5 PPG). Much of that is because of Herbert, one of the NFL’s best passers. Despite that, they’ve seen their odds of making the playoffs drop to +750, significantly behind most of the potential Super Bowl winners.
Handicapping the Game
The Chargers have lost seven consecutive games against New England, including five in a row on the road. However, times have changed. These aren’t your older brother’s Patriots. They’re now a bottom feeder.
Los Angeles is a deserving favorite. But the Over/Under (40.5) should also be attractive to bettors. Both NFL teams have gone Under at a 72.7% clip this season.
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