A full slate of football action is the perfect way to start 2023 and even with the Rams’ injury problems, there won’t be many more interesting games than the battle of LA, between the Rams at Chargers.
Can the Rams spring another surprise or will the Chargers pull off the victory? Don’t miss our NFL picks and predictions for the Los Angeles Rams vs. Los Angeles Chargers to find out.
Rams vs Chargers best odds
Rams vs Chargers picks and predictions
After the injury to Matt Stafford, the Rams moved fast to claim Baker Mayfield off waivers, with the former Panthers quarterback having endured a torrid time. Through three games, we’ve seen Mayfield throw for four touchdowns and only one interception.
Most impressively, his 69% completion percentage with the Rams is better than any season yet in his career. His passer rating of 98.9 is also higher than it has been for any other season of his career. He’s been smartly managed and the Rams are 2-1 since he came into the team, losing only to the Packers and thrashing the Broncos on Christmas Day.
One man who has really profited since the arrival of Mayfield has been Tyler Higbee. The tight end has been a key part of the passing game, not least because of the other injuries to the receiver corps. In the past three weeks, he’s scored all three of his touchdowns this season and last week had 11 targets, hauling in nine of them.
The Chargers have only allowed four touchdowns to TEs this year, so don’t expect Higbee to score, but they’ve allowed 839 yards to the position, with nine teams allowing more. The bulk of the other pass catchers on the team remains in poor health meaning that there should still be plenty of targets.
If Higbee gets the volume, and he should, then he’ll easily go Over 41.5 yards.
My best bet: Tyler Higbee Over 41.5 receiving yards (-117)
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Rams vs Chargers spread analysis
The Chargers are 9-6 and have enough about them on both offense and defense to cause serious problems for every other team in the league. They’re coming into this game on the back of a three-game winning streak and have won four of their seven games at SoFi Stadium this season.
The Rams have been a nightmare to call all season. Earlier in the year, they were losing games that they shouldn’t have done, but in the past few weeks, they’ve managed to win matches, despite having been torn apart by injuries.
I have no strong opinion on this and I’d lean towards backing the Chargers -6.5. They’re 9-5-1 ATS through the season and have the better team. That said, I’m wary of what McVay could achieve next year with Mayfield.
Rams vs Chargers Over/Under analysis
The total for this game opened at 41 but it’s risen to 42.5 points since the opening. I don’t have a strong opinion on the Over/Under but when the public money is going one way I think it’s often smart to go the other.
If you look at recent trends then you can make an argument to back the Under too. The Under is 6-1 in the Rams’ past seven on the road. In addition to that, it’s also 4-0 in the Chargers’ past four games overall.
Rams vs Chargers betting trend to know
The Under is 4-0 in the Chargers' past four games. Find more NFL betting trends for Steelers vs. Ravens.
Rams vs Chargers game info
| Location: | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA |
| Date: | Sunday, January 1, 2023 |
| Kickoff: | 4:25 p.m. ET |
| TV: | CBS |
| Opening odds: | Chargers -6.5, O/U 40.5 |
Rams vs Chargers latest injuries
Rams vs Chargers weather
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