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Edgar Chaput
Buccaneers vs. Chargers Point Spread: NFL Week 15 Odds, Prediction
Week 15 in the NFL offers an intriguing matchup between two sides that could very well be playing meaningful football in January but haven’t figured everything out just yet. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have climbed to the top of the NFC South, with their most recent match a 28-13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The L.A. Chargers suffered a setback in Week 14 when they narrowly lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 19-17.
Our NFL odds favour the host Chargers, if only slightly. L.A. is currently a -3 favourite.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
It’s been a while since the Bucs and Chargers butted helmets. Their most recent tête-à-tête came during the 2020 campaign when the Brady-led Buccaneers downed the Chargers 38-31. The latter were quarterbacked by then rookie Justin Herbert.
Overall, the Floridian franchise has rattled off a trio of wins over their Californian rivals, dating back to 2012.
We’ve written before about how it would be unwise to consider Tampa Bay down for the count. The low morale that permeated after a botched attempt at beating the Chiefs (join the club) back in Week 9 feels like ancient history. Even the team’s performances against the spread are reasons for optimism, what with an 8-5 record. Don’t look know, but QB Baker Mayfield is fourth among quarterbacks in total yards thrown with 3,329.
Such high praise cannot be bestowed upon the Chargers’ gunslinger. Herbert has tossed for 2,764 yards, which only ranks 17th in the NFL. For as much as “trust the Chargers” feels like the worst advice ever, the truth is Jim Harbaugh’s group is 9-4 ATS and have handled six of their past seven chances. What’s different this season is that, in stark contrast to past seasons, L.A. is a great defensive team: 15.9 points against per game, first in the league.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One thing seems certain: Tampa Bay will have a rougher go at it this week compared to last Sunday when they bested the flailing Raiders at home, 28-13.
It was one of those games where the superior outfit (the Buccaneers) teasingly invited the lesser side (the Raiders) to get back in the game and maybe steal a win, but the lesser side simply wasn’t up to snuff.
Tampa raced out to a quick 14-0 lead thanks to a pair of workmanlike offensive drives capped off by TD tosses from Mayfield to Jalen McMillan and Rachaad White. That said, Mayfield was picked off twice, which has been a problem this season.
The Raiders would make it somewhat interesting by pulling back to 14-10, but the fourth quarter belonged to the Bucs, who scored two more majors as White carried the ball in from three yards out and McMillan scored a 28-yarder. TE Cade Otton led the charge with four catches for 70 yards.
Los Angeles Chargers
Another team lost a close game to the Chiefs? What else is new? And, like so many other opponents in 2024, the Chargers just needed to make one play here, one play there, and the result might have differed.
But that’s what 11 other teams are telling themselves (the Chiefs have won 12 times), so get in line, Chargers. They did play KC tough, and even held on to a 17-16 lead very late and kept the Chiefs’ attack to under 300 total yards. But it never matters against the Chiefs, so let’s move on.
L.A. has some good weapons it can expose Tampa Bay’s defence with, starting with surprise wideout Ladd McConkey (815 total yards, four TDs). TE Will Dissly, WR Joshua Palmer, and WR Quentin Johnston round out a decent receiver corps that only needs to kick things up a notch to be elite. Alas, RB JK Dobbins, who couldn’t finish seasons in Baltimore, is on IR.
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