NFL 'SNF' Week 12: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Baltimore Ravens betting picks, preview
We've got a banger of a "Sunday Night Football" matchup on deck this week, as the Los Angeles Chargers will play host to the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC showdown. Let's break down the conference clash and find some winning bets along the way.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Baltimore Ravens betting odds, preview
Spread: Ravens -3, Over/under: 48, Moneyline: Ravens -180 | Chargers +150
It's been two completely different stories for the Ravens and Chargers this season. Baltimore is 8-3 and sitting pretty as the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoff picture, while Los Angeles has lost four of its last six games to fall to 4-6. It's now or never for the Chargers if they want to make a push to the postseason.
The biggest issue for L.A. has been its defense, which ranks 29th in the NFL in defensive DVOA and dead last in passing yards allowed per game. Opposing quarterbacks are feasting on this secondary, so the Chargers have struggled to win games even when Justin Herbert plays at an elite level.
As for the Ravens, they have the second-best defense in the NFL in terms of DVOA, yards allowed per game and points allowed per game. Lamar Jackson, behind his 2,976 total yards and 17 total touchdowns, is second on the MVP odds board through 11 weeks.
Chargers vs. Ravens betting picks
Over 48 (-110 DraftKings)
We're not seeing much value on the spread for either side, but we do feel confident that both teams will be able to put up points.
Baltimore's running game has been unstoppable all season, and Jackon will have success pushing the ball downfield against arguably the worst pass defense in the league. We see the Ravens scoring early and often in this one, which will force Herbert to air it out in comeback mode. The Chargers, who are averaging 25.9 points per game this season, might need to get to just 20 for this over to cash.
Isaiah Likely over 29.5 receiving yards (-114 FanDuel)
Mark Andrews is out for the season, which means it's time for the Isaiah Likely show.
With Andrews out of the lineup in Week 17 last season, Likely went off for 103 yards on eight catches and 13 targets against the Cincinnati Bengals. Jackson loves feeding his tight ends, and that won't change Sunday night against a Chargers defense that struggles to cover the middle of the field.
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