Ravens vs. Chargers Point Spread: MNF Week 12 Odds, Prediction
The Chargers are 3-point underdogs on the NFL odds with a total of 50.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Neither of these teams are out of their division races, but it’s very unlikely either wins its division. Baltimore (7-4) is two games in the loss column behind first-place Pittsburgh (8-2) in the AFC North after Sunday’s loss to the Steelers, so it’s probably wild card or bust for the Ravens. To win the North, Pittsburgh is -225 and Baltimore +160. They do play again Week 16. The Ravens currently hold the conference’s No. 6 overall spot and are -2500 to make the playoffs with no at +1200. Barring Lamar Jackson getting injured, they will make it.
How much difference does a good head coach make in the NFL? Just look toward the Chargers. They were 5-12 last season under former coach Brandon Staley (and an interim coach) but now 7-3 under Jim Harbaugh, the former national championship-winning coach at Michigan. The problem for Los Angeles is that it plays in the same AFC West as Kansas City (9-1). The Chargers already lost at home to the Chiefs and will certainly be underdogs in KC on Dec. 8, so it’s likely wild card or bust for the Bolts as well. They are -2000 to make the playoffs and +1000 for no.
These franchises have played 15 times, including once in the playoffs, and the Ravens lead 9-6. They met in Los Angeles in November 2023 and Baltimore prevailed 20-10 thanks to forcing four turnovers.
John and Jim Harbaugh have met twice before as NFL head coaches, including when John’s Ravens beat Jim’s 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore lost 18-16 in Pittsburgh on Sunday in a crucial AFC North matchup, and now the Ravens’ four losses on the season are by a combined 12 points. They cut Sunday’s deficit to 18-16 on a 16-yard Lamar Jackson TD pass to Zay Flowers with about a minute left, but the two-point try wasn’t close to a success on what looked a bit like a broken play. Jackson had been the favourite to win a third career NFL MVP Award but has now fallen behind Buffalo’s Josh Allen as Jackson was fairly quiet on Sunday with 207 yards passing, a TD and a pick and just 46 yards rushing with no scores. He is now 1-4 career vs. Pittsburgh. NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry was also pretty quiet with 65 yards on the ground, although he did have a rushing TD and has become only the fourth player since 1970 with at least one TD in each of the first 11 games of a season. Future Hall of Fame kicker Justin Tucker missed two field goals in a game for the first time since back in 2022, and he has now missed at least one kick in three of his last four games. But there are no plans for a change. Pro Bowl linebacker Roquan Smith left with a hamstring injury and no updates yet. The over is 6-1 in Baltimore’s past seven games.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers had a nice 6-3 record entering Sunday’s home matchup vs. Cincinnati, but they had faced a lot of questionable quarterbacks this season. The Bengals’ Joe Burrow, certainly among the league’s top QBs, threw for 356 yards and three scores against what had been the NFL’s top scoring defence and led his team back from a 27-6 third-quarter deficit to tie 27-all in the fourth. However, JK Dobbins’ 29-yard rushing touchdown with 18 seconds left – the Bolts were merely attempting to get into field-goal position – won it for Los Angeles, 34-27. It was the first time this season it allowed more than 20 points. QB Justin Herbert had his best game of the season for L.A. and fourth career game with at least 250 passing yards, two passing TDs and 50 rush yards. All other Chargers QBs in history have one such game. Rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey came up clutch on the Bolts’ final drive with two catches for 55 yards and finished with six catches for career-high 123 yards. The Chargers likely lose that game in the past, but they have a new culture under Coach Jim Harbaugh. Los Angeles is 4-0-1 ATS in its past five at home.
BAL
LAC