The 4-6 Cincinnati Bengals travel to Los Angeles to play the 6-3 Chargers. Our Bengals vs Chargers prediction is for Cincinnati to defeat Los Angeles and keep its flickering playoff hopes alive.
In Jim Harbaugh’s first year back in the NFL, L.A. has benefited from lurking in the shadows of the AFC West behind the undefeated Chiefs and will likely make the playoffs.
Cincinnati has had 10 days to think about losing 35-34 in Baltimore on Thursday Night Football and head coach Zac Taylor’s ill-fated decision to go for the win with a two-point conversion near the end of regulation. Despite their record, they are not out of the playoff picture.
Head-to-head, Los Angeles leads with a 23-15 record.
Offshore Odds: L.A. is Favored by a Single Point
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bengals | +1 (-110) | +105 | O 48.5 (-110) |
| Chargers | -1 (-110) | -125 | U 48.5 (-110) |
Cincinnati’s Defense Remains Problematic
When a team has an offense that is sixth in the NFL in points scored per game and a defense that is 26th in the league in points allowed, they will have a mediocre record.
Quarterback Joe Burrow is having an All-Pro caliber season with 24 touchdown passes against only four interceptions. He is also leading the league in completions and yards. But the team is 4-6, predominately because of its defense and Taylor’s occasionally questionable decisions.
They scored 25, 33, 38, and 34 points in four of their six losses. They have as allowed as many turnovers as they have forced. Star defensive end Trey Hendrickson did not travel with the team to L.A. but is expected to arrive on his own and play.
The Bengals’ math is relatively simple. If they beat L.A. to get to 5-6, they have four winnable games against Dallas, Tennessee, Cleveland, and Denver sandwiched by their two games with Pittsburgh. If they get to nine wins, they will probably squeak in.
L.A.’s Defense is Carrying Them
Harbaugh’s teams play a hard, unified brand of football. They are opportunistic, evidenced by their +9 takeaway differential which is good enough for second in the NFL. They are first in fewest points allowed per game and ninth in both defensive passing yards allowed and rushing yards allowed.
Quarterback Justin Herbert has only thrown one interception all season. There is no singular offensive weapon. Running back J.K. Dobbins is averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Their top pass catcher is possession receiver Ladd McConkey.
The Chargers’ record is also a byproduct of a weak schedule.
This game will answer many questions about what the Chargers are in Harbaugh’s first year.
Bengals vs Chargers Prediction: Cincinnati Will Defeat L.A.
A desperate Cincinnati can put up the points against anyone. Even though they lost the games, Los Angeles held two high-scoring teams, Kansas City and Arizona, to 17 points each. While Cincinnati has struggled at times, they are desperate and will win the game outright, covering the spread as a 1-point underdog.
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