by Rod Pearson
Wednesday, Dec 11, 2024
Game Time: 4:25 pm ET, Sunday, December 15, 2024
Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Where to Watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Buccaneers +3, Chargers -3; Over/Under: 45.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Buccaneers +3, Chargers -3; Over/Under: 45.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Buccaneers +3, Chargers -3; Over/Under: 45.5 points
Season Record
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-6 (1st place, NFC South)
Los Angeles Chargers: 8-5 (2nd place, AFC West)
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Recent Form
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: won their last game at home against the Las Vegas Raiders 28-13.
Los Angeles Chargers: lost their last game on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs 19-17.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Los Angeles Chargers Preview and Analysis
The Buccaneers are entering this game with a 7-6 record overall and they have a 2-2 record in their divisional games too. They are 3-4 in their home games, 4-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They won their last game against the Las Vegas Raiders 28-13. Baker Mayfield was the starting QB and he completed 18/29 passes for 295 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Rachaad White led the team in rushing yards with 90 and 1 TD. Cade Otton led the receivers with 70 receiving yards on 3 receptions. Zyon McCollum led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 0 assisted tackles while Lavonte David and Kaevon Merriweather each led the defense in sacks with 1. Tykee Smith came away with the only interception for them in that one.
The Chargers are entering this game with an 8-5 record overall and they have a 2-2 record in their divisional games too. They are 4-2 in their home games, 4-3 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They lost their last game against the Kansas City Chiefs 19-17. Justin Herbert was the starting QB and he completed 21/30 passes for 213 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions. Gus Edwards led the team in rushing yards with 36 and 1 TD. Joshua Palmer led the receivers with 78 receiving yards on 6 receptions. Daiyan Henley led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Derwin James Jr. and Joey Bosa each led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.
Buccaneers vs Chargers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Chargers listed as a 3 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Chargers have looked good in their games this season with their 8-5 record overall which has them in 2nd place of the AFC West and fighting for a Wild Card spot. They are coming off a really close loss against the Chiefs in their last one, losing that game 19-17 on the road, and they have one of the best defenses in the entire NFL. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers have looked good in their games this season with their 7-6 record overall which has them leading the NFC South at the moment. They were behind in the division race, but they have been getting hot lately while the Falcons have been collapsing and that has put the Bucs in the driver's seat now. They are coming off a win over the Raiders last week, winning 28-13, but that was a game that was much closer until the Bucs started to pull away in the 4th quarter. The Chargers have a much better defense though and that will get the Bucs into trouble as they struggle to find a rhythm on offense. Their defense hasn't looked great this season either, giving up a ton of points in a lot of their games against better offenses, so the Chargers are going to have success moving the ball even with some key players out. The best way to place a bet here is on the Chargers to cover the spread in this game.
Buccaneers Chargers Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, December 15, 2024 (4:25 pm ET start time) is Chargers 24 Buccaneers 17.
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NFL Betting Trends
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 9-5 ATS as a road underdog. 10-5 ATS in games played on turf. 7-4 1H ATS off a home win. 7-3 UNDER after allowing 14 points or less last game. 8-3 UNDER versus poor rushing defenses - allowing 4.5 rushing yards/carry or more. 7-2 1H UNDER after a win by 14 or more points.
Los Angeles Chargers: 5-9 ATS in a home game where the total is greater than or equal to 45.5. 3-8 ATS after a loss by 6 or less points. 4-8 ATS versus poor defensive teams - allowing 350 yards/game or more. 29-17 UNDER in all games. 9-5 UNDER as a home favorite. 9-5 UNDER versus poor defensive teams - allowing 350 yards/game or more.
Key Injuries
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: L. David (LB) Injured - Rest. J. Hayes (DB) Questionable - Hamstring. J. Russell (LB) Questionable - Hamstring. T. Palmer (WR) Questionable - Hip. B. Mayfield (QB) Injured - Achilles. K. Britt (LB) Out - Ankle. M. Edwards (SAF) Out - Hamstring. G. Gaines (DL) Injured - Ankle. B. Irving (RB) Questionable - Hip. A. Nelson (OLB) Injured - Shoulder. J. Tryon-Shoyinka (OLB) Questionable - Ankle. M. Watts (OLB) Out - Knee. W. Gholston (DL) Injured - Knee. M. Evans (WR) Injured - Hamstring. T. Hill (CB) Out - Foot. T. Wirfs (T) Injured - Foot. T. Smith (SAF) Questionable - Knee.
Los Angeles Chargers: B. Dupree (OLB) Injured - Heel. T. Jefferson (SAF) Questionable - Hamstring. E. Molden (CB) Injured - Back. J. Colson (LB) Questionable - Ankle. L. McConkey (WR) Questionable - Knee. D. Henley (LB) Injured - Knee. K. Mack (OLB) Injured - Rest. D. Perryman (LB) Doubtful - Groin. C. Hart (CB) Injured - Ankle.
Notable Quotes
“It's one thing getting to first place. It's a whole other thing staying there. We've got four games left. It's going to be a battle all the way through. We have to come ready every week.” - Todd Bowles after his team’s win against the Raiders in their last game.
“We just had to settle in. We didn’t make enough plays in the first half and we didn’t execute the way we wanted to. Pass game, run game, we weren’t moving the ball well. That’s on us and I praise the guys for staying in there, staying patient and making plays in the second half.” - Justin Herbert after their loss against the Chiefs in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
WR Evans, Mike
WR McMillan, Jalen
WR Shepard, Sterling
TE Otton, Cade
QB Mayfield, Baker
RB White, Rachaad
Los Angeles Chargers
WR Johnston, Quentin
WR Palmer, Joshua
WR Davis, Derius
TE Fisk, Tucker
QB Herbert, Justin
RB Edwards, Gus
FB Matlock, Scott
Statistical Leaders
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Passing: B. Mayfield (3329)
Rushing: B. Irving (735)
Receiving: M. Evans (590)
Touchdowns: M. Evans (7)
Los Angeles Chargers
Passing: J. Herbert (2764)
Rushing: J. Dobbins (766)
Receiving: L. McConkey (815)
Touchdowns: J. Dobbins (8)
Coaches:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Todd Bowles (3rd season)
Los Angeles Chargers: Jim Harbaugh (1st season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
