Redskins
vs.
Chargers
Week 14
NFL Pick
12/10/17
By: Jason Green
Washington Redskins (5-7 SU 5-7 ATS) vs. L.A. Chargers (6-6 SU 6-5-1 ATS)
The Redskins have lost three of their last Four Games and with the NFC the way it is they may have to win out to have any chance at the playoffs. They are coming off, what is likely, their worst loss of the season and while they GAve up 38 points in their last Game the Schedule favors them not having to face one more team that currently has a winning record.
5Dimes sportsbook has the Chargers as the 6-point favorite with a total of 46.
The Chargers have won three in a row and with the Chiefs reeling they are now in a log-jam in first place in the AFC West tied with Kansas City and the Oakland Raiders. They have only given up a total of 16 points in their last two Games, rank 4th in the NFL in points against, and Phillip Rivers leads a passing offense that ranks 2nd in the league in passing yards per Game. L.A. is only 3-3 at home on the season, but they are 6-point betting favorites facing a Washington team that is only 2-4 away from the Nation’s Capital.
These teams have not met since the 2013 season.
The favorite has covered the spread in the last Four Games between these teams.
The Skins are coming off being throttled last Thursday night losing to the Dallas Cowboys 38-14 in their last Game. Washington had five more overall yards (280-275), but they had Four turnovers and forced none and they only rushed for 56 yards while giving up 182 yards on the ground. Kirk Cousins passed for 251 yards with 2 TD and 2 INT being sacked 4 times and Ryan Grant and Jamison Crowder combined for 139 receiving yards. The banged-up Redskins only got 38 rushing yards from Samaje Perine and it was obvious the squad is missing some starters from the offensive line as well as injured RB Chris Thomson.
The Redskins may want to hit the ground in this Game, even though Cousins and pass attack is the strong suit of the team, as the Chargers have a great pass defense, but only rank 2nd to last in the league in run defense.
In their last Game the Chargers beat the winless Cleveland Browns 19-10. L.A. out-GAined Cleveland 429 yards to 291 yards, forced two turnovers and did not commit one, and they ranked up 335 passing yards. Phillip Rivers had 344 passing yards and was sacked oNCe with a TD and no picks and Keenan Allen had 105 receiving yards and hauled in the TD pass. Melvin Gordon rushed for 77 yards and he will be facing a Skins’ run D that was torched in their last Game. Rivers had 6 TD and 0 INT in the last three Games and Washington and their 13th ranked pass defense has to keep him from making the big play down the field.
The Redskins are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 road Games, 10-4 ATS in their last 14 Games after an ATS loss, and in their last 26 road Games they have an Over record of 19-7.
The Chargers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Games, 7-20 ATS in their last 27 home Games, and in their last 7 Games they have an Under record of 6-1.
Jason’s Pick: The Redskins are reeling while the Chargers are rolling, but Washington is still the betting pick in this Game. Cousins will play well and in L.A., where the Chargers don’t really have a home field advantage, and while the Redskins may not get the W in what will be a close Game they will, at least, cover the spread.