Rams vs. Chargers prediction, pick, odds for NFL Preseason Week 2 game, Sat. 8/17

Pick: Under 33.5

Rams vs. Chargers Odds

Saturday, Aug. 17

7:05 p.m. ET

NFL+

Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute NFL odds here.

The Rams opened as 1.5-point favorites on the spread, but that shifted drastically during the week. The total barely moved from 32.5 to 33.5.

Rams vs. Chargers Betting Trends

• 51% of the bets and 50% of the money is on the Chargers to cover the spread.
• 50% of the bets and 48% of the money is on the over.

All data via Action Network's public betting percentages and as of Tuesday evening.

Ricky Henne's Rams vs. Chargers Preview

Los Angeles Rams Betting Preview: Expect All Bennett, All the Time

Matthew Stafford isn’t suiting up and Jimmy Garoppolo won’t play, which means it’s Stetson Bennett time for the Rams. Los Angeles is hoping he can step up since it'll be without Garoppolo backing up Stafford during the first two weeks of the season as Garoppolo serves a suspension for using performance-enhancing substances.

Bennett was brutal in his first outing after spending a full year out of football on the reserve/non-football illness list. He threw four interceptions but salvaged his performance by tossing a six-yard, game-winning touchdown pass with 4 seconds left.

Meanwhile, a major variable in this contest is who’s serving as the team’s head coach. Sean McVay is ceding that responsibility to passing game coordinator/assistant head coach Aubrey Pleasant, while McVay heads upstairs to the booth. It’s impossible to know what to expect with Pleasant leading the team, but it stands to reason things won’t be nearly as smooth without McVay on the sideline.

Los Angeles Chargers Betting Preview: Bolts Will Rest Most Key Players

Jim Harbaugh’s ground-and-pound style of attack doesn’t lend itself to explosive plays, and that’s especially the case without Justin Herbert under center. Just look at last week when the Chargers mustered a measly three points.

The Bolts are once again resting most of their starters, but second-round pick Ladd McConkey is expected to see his first NFL action. The rookie might emerge as the team’s top receiver, which says a lot about the state of the offense. Joshua Palmer is also expected to see some run.

Still, who is going to feed them the ball?

Easton Stick will get the starting nod and was arguably the team’s worst quarterback in their preseason opener.  He completed 5-of-13 passes for 31 yards and an interception. Meanwhile, Max Duggan and Luis Perez weren’t much better. Duggan completed 4-of-7 passes for 41 yards and Perez was 5-of-12 for 61 yards.

Oh, and that aforementioned ground-and-pound attack? Well, Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins aren’t playing Saturday, which means the Bolts' offense will be a shell of itself. The Chargers couldn’t get going on the ground last week and churned out a meager 77 rushing yards.

How to Watch Rams vs. Chargers Start Time, Channel, Location

Rams vs. Chargers will be available to stream on NFL+. Rams-Chargers is scheduled to kick off at 7:05 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

My Rams vs. Chargers Prediction

A total of 33.5 is extremely low, but preseason games are relatively low-scoring. In fact, 11 of the 16 games last week failed to eclipse that number. Add up the porous quarterbacks under center this week and the vast majority of offensive starters sitting out, and the under is very tempting.

Still, I wouldn’t go below the 33.5 line should the total dip.

Pick: Under 33.5