The LA Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals are two very similar football teams, although the Bengals are a game better and are coming off of a big win while the Chargers are coming off of a disappointing loss. Both teams have a great second-year quarterback with an explosive offense around him. Ironically enough, both the Chargers and the Bengals are two of the most volatile offensive teams in the league.
Both teams also have a defense that leaves more to be desired. The Chargers' defense is in a bit worse of shape with a big hole in the run defense and a banged-up secondary but the Bengals are not a great defensive team, either.
This should be a fun offensive shootout and it is a game that the Chargers absolutely must win on the road. If the Bolts lose they will fall to 6-6 on the season with losses against other playoff contenders in the Bengals and Broncos. It would be concerning. Vegas doesn't like the Chargers as favorites in this game, either.
Chargers vs Bengals odds Week 13:
According to WynnBET, the LA Chargers are 2.5-point underdogs on the road against the Bengals in Week 13. The Chargers are +125 moneyline underdogs while the Bengals are -145 moneyline favorites. The over/under for the game has been set at 50 points exactly.
While the Chargers are underdogs, this line shows that Vegas views these two teams as nearly equal. Typically, the rule of thumb is that a home team gets three points against the spread, although with road teams being so successful this season, that favor might be closer to 2.5 points.
Chargers vs Bengals prediction Week 13:
Fellow Charger fans are going to hate me for this one but I have to pick against the Bolts in this game. The Chargers have simply been too volatile (so have the Bengals) to pick them as a small road underdog in a 1:00 pm ET game.
The biggest concern in this game is Tevaughn Campbell. The Bengals are going to target him in the passing game and even if the Chargers are able to slow down Ja'Marr Chase, the Bengals have weapons in the passing game that can exploit Campbell. Cincinnati has also been relying more on Joe Mixon to set the table in the run game. As every Charger fan knows, the Chargers are the worst team at stopping the run in the league.
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This game will probably end up looking a lot like the Browns and Steelers games from this season and be a shootout that scores over 70 points. However, with the Chargers on the road, I think they are on the losing end of this close game. I am going with Bengals -2.5 and over 50 points with a final score prediction of 38-35.