The Los Angeles Chargers just can’t find any type of rhythm this season. They go from winning a shootout to only mustering 13 total points in a loss. This team badly needs some type of consistency but it won’t be easy against the Cincinnati Bengals this week. Cincinnati just blew out the Pittsburgh Steelers to the tune of a 41-10 score and has momentum. With the Bengals starting to put their midseason woes behind them and the Chargers seemingly getting stuck at .500, Cincinnati is the early favourite in this one.

The Bengals are 3-point favourites to win on the NFL odds, with a total of 50.5.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Los Angeles is just 1-5 against the spread in their last six games overall and 0-4 ATS in their past four matchups against teams in the AFC. It has been a tough time against the spread for the Chargers all year long, but they have been 5-2 ATS in their last seven road games. The under has cashed out in four of their last five games when the Chargers have come into the matchup as the listed road underdog.

The opposite can be said for the Bengals as the over is 6-1-1 in their last eight games when coming in as the home favourite in the matchup. Cincinnati has been just 2-5 ATS in their past seven contests when playing at home against a team with a winning road record.

Los Angeles Chargers

You can’t get too caught up over the Chargers horrific showing against the Broncos last week. Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler and Keenan Allen form one of the most dangerous trios in the league on that offensive side of the ball. We have seen them go from hot to cold on a dime this season, and they are hoping to do that once again in the other direction.

Herbert did throw for 303 yards and two touchdowns against Denver but had two costly interceptions on the day. The bigger issue here might be the Chargers run defence, which is the worst in the NFL statistically. They’re facing a formidable foe in Joe Mixon this week and if they can’t stop him, the Chargers will end up with a loss.

Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati wasn’t expected to be that good this season but they have proved everybody wrong. Joe Burrow continues to be a phenomenal quarterback in this league and he grows by the week. He is the league’s No. 1 passer against the blitz.

What was more impressive in their most recent game was their run defence. Cincinnati was able to limit Najee Harris to 23 total yards last week. Defence will be the key to victory for the Bengals again. If they can bottle up Ekeler and force everything on Herbert’s shoulders, the Chargers are likely to struggle.

NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Chargers vs. Bengals?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Chargers Team Leaders

LAC

Touchdowns	Austin Ekeler 20
Rushing	Austin Ekeler 911
Passing	Justin Herbert 5014
Receiving	Keenan Allen 106
Sacks	Joey Bosa 10.5
Interceptions	Asante Samuel Jr. 2

CIN

Touchdowns	Joe Mixon 16
Rushing	Joe Mixon 1205
Passing	Joe Burrow 4611
Receiving	Ja'Marr Chase 81
Sacks	Trey Hendrickson 14
Interceptions	Logan Wilson 4

LAC

Touchdowns
Rushing
Passing	Did not qualify
Receiving
Sacks
Interceptions

CIN

Touchdowns	Joe Mixon 2
Rushing	Joe Mixon 262
Passing	Joe Burrow 1105
Receiving	Ja'Marr Chase 25
Sacks	Trey Hendrickson 3.5
Interceptions	Jessie Bates III 2

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Bengals Team Leaders

LAC

Touchdowns	Austin Ekeler 20
Rushing	Austin Ekeler 911
Passing	Justin Herbert 5014
Receiving	Keenan Allen 106
Sacks	Joey Bosa 10.5
Interceptions	Asante Samuel Jr. 2

CIN

Touchdowns	Joe Mixon 16
Rushing	Joe Mixon 1205
Passing	Joe Burrow 4611
Receiving	Ja'Marr Chase 81
Sacks	Trey Hendrickson 14
Interceptions	Logan Wilson 4

LAC

Touchdowns
Rushing
Passing	Did not qualify
Receiving
Sacks
Interceptions

CIN

Touchdowns	Joe Mixon 2
Rushing	Joe Mixon 262
Passing	Joe Burrow 1105
Receiving	Ja'Marr Chase 25
Sacks	Trey Hendrickson 3.5
Interceptions	Jessie Bates III 2

Weather

temp	51
condition	cloudy
wind	Southeast 12mph

Injuries

L.A. Chargers

Joe Gaziano (DE)

Out Sun Ankle - 06 / 01 / 22

Linval Joseph (DT)

Prob Sun Shoulder - 06 / 01 / 22

Damon Lloyd (LB)

Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 06 / 01 / 22

Jared Cook (TE)

Out indefinitely Illness - 31 / 12 / 21

Damon Lloyd (LB)

Out indefinitely Illness - 31 / 12 / 21

Stephen Anderson (TE)

Prob Sun Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 21

Tevaughn Campbell (CB)

Prob Sun Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 21

Linval Joseph (DT)

Prob Sun Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 21

Uchenna Nwosu (LB)

Prob Sun Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 21

Jerry Tillery (DT)

Prob Sun Ankle - 30 / 12 / 21

Cincinnati

Jackson Carman (G)

Prob Sun Back - 02 / 02 / 22

Wyatt Ray (LB)

Prob Sun Ankle - 02 / 02 / 22

C.J. Uzomah (TE)

Prob Sun Lower Body - 30 / 01 / 22

Joe Burrow (QB)

Prob Sun Knee - 27 / 01 / 22

Tee Higgins (WR)

Prob Sun Thumb - 27 / 01 / 22

Josh Tupou (DT)

Prob Sun Knee - 27 / 01 / 22

Keandre Jones (LB)

Prob Sun Thumb - 27 / 01 / 22

Cameron Sample (DE)

Prob Sun Groin - 23 / 01 / 22

Mike Hilton (DB)

Prob Sat Ankle - 18 / 01 / 22

Sam Hubbard (DE)

Prob Sat Ribs - 18 / 01 / 22

Injuries

L.A. Chargers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Joe Gaziano (DE)	Out Sun	Ankle - 06 / 01 / 22	1-0	1-0	+ -
Gaziano is dealing with an ankle injury, and he will not face the Raiders on Sunday.
Linval Joseph (DT)	Prob Sun	Shoulder - 06 / 01 / 22	1-0	1-0	+ -
Joseph is projected to line up for Sunday's clash with the Raiders despite a shoulder issue.
Damon Lloyd (LB)	Out indefinitely	Undisclosed - 06 / 01 / 22	1-0	1-0	+ -
Lloyd has ended up on the injured reserve list with an unspecified ailment, and there is no timetable for return.
Jared Cook (TE)	Out indefinitely	Illness - 31 / 12 / 21	1-1	2-0	+ -
Cook has been shifted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unknown when he will return.
Damon Lloyd (LB)	Out indefinitely	Illness - 31 / 12 / 21	1-1	2-0	+ -
Lloyd has been moved to the IR/COVID-19 list, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Stephen Anderson (TE)	Prob Sun	Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 21	1-1	2-0	+ -
Anderson is expected to be active against the Broncos on Sunday despite a shoulder injury.
Tevaughn Campbell (CB)	Prob Sun	Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 21	1-1	2-0	+ -
Campbell is likely to take on the Broncos on Sunday despite a hamstring issue.
Linval Joseph (DT)	Prob Sun	Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 21	1-1	2-0	+ -
Joseph is dealing with a shoulder injury, but he is expected to take the field against the Broncos on Sunday.
Uchenna Nwosu (LB)	Prob Sun	Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 21	1-1	2-0	+ -
Nwosu has injuries to his shoulder and hip, but it is anticipated that he will dress for Sunday's matchup with the Broncos.
Jerry Tillery (DT)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 30 / 12 / 21	1-1	2-0	+ -
Tillery is hobbled by an ankle injury, but he is projected to line up for Sunday's contest against the Broncos.

Cincinnati

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Jackson Carman (G)	Prob Sun	Back - 02 / 02 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Carman is expected to be active against the Rams in the 2022 Super Bowl despite a back issue.
Wyatt Ray (LB)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 02 / 02 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Ray is likely to take the field in the 2022 Super Bowl versus the Rams despite an ankle injury.
C.J. Uzomah (TE)	Prob Sun	Lower Body - 30 / 01 / 22	2-0	0-2	+ -
Uzomah is tending to a sprained MCL, but it is expected that he will be active for the 2022 Super Bowl versus the Rams.
Joe Burrow (QB)	Prob Sun	Knee - 27 / 01 / 22	2-0	0-2	+ -
Burrow is expected to lace up against Chiefs in the AFC championship game despite a knee issue.
Tee Higgins (WR)	Prob Sun	Thumb - 27 / 01 / 22	2-0	0-2	+ -
Higgins is bothered by a thumb injury, but he is projected to participate in the AFC championship game against the Chiefs.
Josh Tupou (DT)	Prob Sun	Knee - 27 / 01 / 22	2-0	0-2	+ -
Tupou is hindered by a knee injury, but it is projected that he will line up against the Rams in the 2022 Super Bowl.
Keandre Jones (LB)	Prob Sun	Thumb - 27 / 01 / 22	2-0	0-2	+ -
Jones is likely to partake in the AFC championship game versus the Chiefs despite a thumb issue.
Cameron Sample (DE)	Prob Sun	Groin - 23 / 01 / 22	2-0	0-2	+ -
Sample is managing a groin injury, but it has been established that he is likely to be active for Super Bowl 56 versus the Rams.
Mike Hilton (DB)	Prob Sat	Ankle - 18 / 01 / 22	3-0	0-3	+ -
Hilton is hampered by an ankle injury, but it is projected that he will face the Titans for the AFC divisional round.
Sam Hubbard (DE)	Prob Sat	Ribs - 18 / 01 / 22	3-0	0-3	+ -
Hubbard is bothered by a ribs injury, but it is projected that he will be available versus the Titans in the AFC divisional round.