Commanders vs. Chargers Point Spread: NFL Week 5 Odds, Prediction
The Chargers came up short as 5,5-point chalk in last week’s 21-18 road loss to the New York Giants but continue to enjoy a three-game straight up and against the spread win streak on home turf. The Commanders are also on the rebound from last week’s 34-27 loss in Atlanta, and have now surrendered an average of 39 points per game while losing their past three overall on the road.
The Chargers return home as 3-point favourites on the NFL Week 5 odds. The Commanders lag as +140 underdogs NFL moneyline and the total is pegged at 47.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Sunday’s matchup marks the first meeting between these teams since 2021 and the Commanders’ first road date with the Chargers since they relocated to Los Angeles in 2017. The Chargers have historically dominated Washington in head-to-head action, claiming victory in five of six meetings while limiting the Commanders to just 16.5 points per game. That stingy defensive play has generated a boon for NFL betting fans taking the UNDER in totals betting, which has paid out in 10 of their past 14 matchups.
The Chargers have maintained their defensive ways so far this season, and rank fourth in the NFL while allowing just 17.8 points per game and six total touchdowns during a 3-1 start. Conversely, the Commanders have struggled on defence at times since opening their campaign with a 21-6 rout of the Giants, allowing 28.3 points per game while going 1-2 since. Washington has also remained a shaky bet on the road, going winless ATS during their 0-3 slide to fall to 2-6 ATS in their past eight.
Washington Commanders
Injuries have emerged as a major concern for the Commanders, especially on offence. Quarterback Jayden Daniels has been sidelined for the past two weeks by a knee injury but has been medically cleared to return to practice and is expected to return to action on Sunday. However, Daniels will be forced to work with a depleted receiving corps that has been ravaged by injury. Both Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown have been ruled out of Sunday’s contest due to injury while the status of Deebo Samuel remains questionable as he tries to work through a heel injury. That could mean more targets for tight end Zach Ertz, who is pegged as an attractive +110 bet on the NFL player props to record OVER 4.4 catches.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers will be eager to hit the reset button after last week’s stunning loss to the previously winless Giants. Indeed, this team could benefit from a big offensive outburst after averaging just 22 points scored through their first four outings. Slow starts have not helped matters, with the LA attack scoring just three total first-quarter points in their past two games, with their lone lead after the half over that stretch coming on the strength of a game-winning field goal with no time left on the clock in a 23-20 win over Denver two weeks ago. Simply put, Justin Herbert needs to be better.
The Chargers pivot compiled just 203 passing yards and one score against two picks in last week’s loss to New York, and has compiled a subpar 57.9% completion rate over the past two games. But with the Commanders pass defence surrendering an average of 279 passing yards and seven total TD passes over the past two games, look for Herbert to rebound as a -150 bet to connect for OVER 1.5 touchdown passes on Sunday.
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