For the third time this season the LA Chargers are going to be playing on Sunday Night Football and the team is hoping that this matchup goes differently. Los Angeles lost to both the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers on primetime. The team now hosts the Miami Dolphins in Week 14.
This is as big of a must-win as the Chargers can have. After losing to the Raiders, the Chargers have put themselves in a pickle where they have to win four of the last five games to have a chance at making the playoffs. A loss in Week 14 would mean that the Chargers have to win out just to get to 10 wins and have a chance.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, are looking to stay in the hunt for the AFC East title after losing to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13. This game means a lot ot both teams and may produce some sparks on primetime for NFL fans to see.
Chargers vs Dolphins odds for Week 14 Sunday Night Football:
The Chargers are home underdogs in this game as the Dolphins are coming into Los Angeles as a three-point favorite. This has made the Chargers a +144 moneyline underdog while the Dolphins are a -172 moneyline favorite.
Vegas thinks this is going to be a high-scoring game as well as the point total has been placed at 52.5 points. This is the second-highest point total of the week, trailing only the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings game.
Chargers vs Dolphins prediction for Week 14 Sunday Night Football:
Last week I gave my prediction against the spread and the over/under and expressed that if there was one way to go it was the under on the point total. I was not fully confident in the spread as anything could happen in that game but I was certain that the game would go under. It did.
This week, I am fairly certain about the spread and not as certain about the over/under. As painful as it is to write as a Chargers fan, I cannot pass on the opportunity to get the Dolphins as only a three-point favorite against this Chargers team.
All the advanced metrics suggest that the Chargers are one of the bottom-third teams in the league while the Dolphins are one of the best. This is a defense in the Chargers that cannot stop most offenses and is not going to be able to hold up against this explosive Miami offense. There is simply too much speed and talent on that side of the ball.
And while Miami has a bad defense, the Chargers' offensive play-calling has hindered this team and is going to do the same in this game. Don't be surprised if the Chargers are going blow for blow with Miami only to shell up in the second half.
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The point total is not as comfortable. If I were you, I would hammer Dolphins -3. Since I have to pick one side, I'll pick over 52.5 points with a final score prediction of Dolphins 34, Chargers 24.
Betting odds update periodically and are subject to change after time of publication.