Los Angeles Chargers vs Los Angeles Rams Point Spread Picks

The Chargers are 2-0 this preseason, with coach Jim Harbaugh now 15-8 in August. They've whipped the Lions (34-7) and the Saints (27-13). The deep ground attack, always a staple under Harbaugh, has run for 148 and 121 yards, while the defense is allowing 10 points per game. Harbaugh's defense has allowed an average of 13.3 points in the last six preseason contests. Meanwhile, the Rams are 11-15 in preseason under coach Sean McVay, who is 3-4 in Week 2. QBs Matthew Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo aren't expected to play, and the backups are Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn. The offense has averaged 14.8 points in its last eight exhibition contests. Play the Chargers + UNDER the total.

The Los Angeles Rams squeaked by Dallas 13-12 when Stetson Bennett shook off four interceptions and threw the winning touchdown in the final seconds to win it for the Rams. Bennett played the entire game, and the Rams hope he learned some lessons as he is battling Jimmy Garoppolo for the No. 2 spot behind Matthew Stafford. The Rams went OVER all three preseason games in 2023, and the Chargers have gone OVER five of their past seven preseason contests, although they can't wait to improve on last week's performance when they lost 16-3 to Seattle. Sam Howell made his Seahawks debut and threw for 130 yards and a TD against the Chargers, who used their three backups behind Justin Herbert and the results were limited as they combined for 136 passing yards on 14-for-32. Look for Bennett to eliminate some mistakes, and maybe Garoppolo will get some action while the Chargers get used to their new coach, Jim Harbaugh, and put up a few more points. Take the Rams and the OVER. 

The Rams are without a couple of star offensive players in QB Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Backup QB Baker Mayfield (4 TDs, 1 INT) is running the offense and gets little help from a ground game that averages 3.8 yards per rush along and is the fourth-worst in rushing yards per game. The Rams are e 23-11 UNDER after the first month of the season. The Chargers have roared into the postseason on their defense winning three in a row while allowing 34 total points. They're on a 7-2-1 run UNDER the total and are 23-9 UNDER at home after allowing 17 or fewer points in back-to-back contests. Take the Chargers/Rams UNDER the total.

The Los Angeles Rams didn't win any preseason games last year, but they were in all of them with an average final score of 15.6 to 11.3. And if you go by their last five preseason games, they outscored opponents 66-63. The Los Angeles Chargers are favored, but coach Brandon Staley has shown nothing in preseason with a losing record (1-2). They won't risk getting star QB Justin Herbert hurt, so the backups are veteran Chase Daniel, Easton Stick, and undrafted free agent Brandon Peters. Also, in coach Staley's three preseason games, the offense averaged just 7.6 points while going 13-of-39 on third down. Play the Los Angeles Rams.