The Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set for a rare head-to-head meeting on Sunday in a cross-conference affair. The Chargers will be looking to get back to .500 in the midst of the drama and uncertainty surrounding their quarterback position. For the Buccaneers, Sunday’s home tilt offers a great opportunity to earn their third straight victory. Sure enough, the NFL odds and expert NFL picks have been in favor of the home team.
This betting preview will give you the full scoop on the NFL odds and best NFL picks for the Week 4 Chargers vs Buccaneers game on Sunday afternoon.
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NFL Picks, NFL Odds & NFL Props | Chargers vs Buccaneers
Chargers vs Buccaneers Game Info
Los Angeles Chargers (1-2, 1-0 Away) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1, 1-0 Home)
Date: Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020
Time: 1 p.m. EST
Venue: Raymond James Stadium — Tampa Bay, FL
Coverage: CBS
Attendance: Fewer than 10,000 fans will be in attendance
Chargers vs Buccaneers NFL Odds
All odds taken from MyBookie Sportsbook
Opening Lines: TB -5; O/U 44
Moneyline: LAC: (+270) | TB: (-330)
Spread: LAC: +7.5 (-115) | TB: -7.5 (-105)
Total: 42.5 — Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)
Chargers vs Buccaneers Overview
The Chargers suffered a disappointing home loss last week to the Carolina Panthers. Perhaps the most concerning part of that loss was LA’s failure to establish any sort of rushing attack against one of the NFL’s worst defenses against the run. Rookie quarterback Justin Herbert, making his second straight start in place of the injured Tyrod Taylor, threw for 330 yards and a score, but the Chargers only mustered 16 points in the losing effort. As good as Los Angeles is on defense, they will need to score more than that to have any real shot against Tom Brady and the talent-laden Buccaneers offense.
After their season-opening loss to the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay has bounced back nicely with impressive wins over both the Panthers at home and the Denver Broncos on the road last week. Given all of the splashy offseason moves the Bucs made, it might come as a bit of a surprise that the bright spot has been the defense. Coordinator Todd Bowles has the unit firing on all cylinders. The Buccaneers rank second overall in adjusted efficiency (Football Outsiders) with top-5 marks individually against both the run (3rd) and pass (5th). In an offense-first season so far, the Bucs have done well to allow just 20.3 points per game (T-7th in the NFL) and 308.0 yards per game (4th) through the first three weeks.
The early success of the Buccaneers defense would suggest that Herbert and the Chargers offense will be facing an uphill battle. Perhaps this is behind the NFL odds movement in favor of the Bucs in this game. But what about Brady and Tampa Bay’s attack? Los Angeles hasn’t been bad on defense either, although they will be without end Melvin Ingram once again this week. The Buccaneers will be without Chris Godwin again this week. The standout receiver sustained a hamstring injury last week in his first game back from a concussion that had previously sidelined him. The difference this time is that the Bucs may also be without Scotty Miller who is yet to practice this week with hip and groin injuries. There is a very real question of who will step up as Brady’s second option behind Mike Evans.
Chargers vs Buccaneers Betting Trends
- Chargers 2020 Betting Trends: 2-1 ATS; 0-3 to the Over
- Buccaneers 2020 Betting Trends: 2-1 ATS; 2-1 to the Over
- The Over has hit in 8 of the 9 all-time head-=to-head meetings between the Chargers and Buccaneers.
- The Buccaneers are 3-2 both straight up and ATS in three of their last five games against the Chargers.
Chargers vs Buccaneers Stats
- Los Angeles has averaged 17.3 points per game (PPG) this season (No. 30 in the NFL)
- Los Angeles has surrendered 19.0 PPG this season (No. 4 in the NFL)
- Tampa Bay has averaged 27.3 PPG this season (No. 14 in the NFL)
- Tampa Bay has surrendered 20.3 PPG this season (Tied for No. 7 in the NFL)
Monkey Knife Fight NFL Props
Monkey Knife Fight is a DFS site unlike DraftKings or FanDuel. Instead, the contests feature props to play, with varying multipliers for each contest. Unlike the aforementioned sites, you are only competing with yourself on MKF, and you do not need to worry about annoying salary caps.
Monkey Knife Fight has several great NFL props for the entire Sunday slate. Here is one of my favorites for the Chargers vs Buccaneers game.
With defense expected to rule the day, I’m not necessarily convinced that either Tom Brady or Justin Herbert will have a big game through the air. With that said, given Tampa Bay’s myriad of injuries at the wide receiver position, I like Mike Evans to have a solid day both in terms of yardage and total receptions. The Bucs’ backfield has been a tough one to figure out, but Leonard Fournette will miss Sunday’s game due to injury. Knowing this, I am inclined to take the over on this Ronald Jones rushing prop.
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Chargers vs Buccaneers NFL Picks and NFL Odds
In a game that projects to be low-scoring thanks to both the question marks and injuries residing on both offenses and the talented defenses they’ll have to contend with, a full-touchdown spread is just too good to pass up.
I recognize that on paper, the Buccaneers seem to be on more solid ground than the Chargers at present. With that said, LA’s defense will keep them alive in this football game. Justin Herbert clearly still has strides to make in his bid to become the Chargers’ next great franchise quarterback, but he has been able to make plays when needed in each of his first two starts. I like the rookie to do just enough to keep Los Angeles in it. With the line currently offering a full touchdown plus a hook, you are wise to pounce now before it’s gone.
Pick: Chargers +7.5 (-115 at MyBookie Sportsbook)
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