HomeNFLNFL PredictionsTampa Bay Buccaneers vs Los Angeles Chargers Prediction, Odds and Picks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Los Angeles Chargers Prediction, Odds and Picks for Sunday, 12/15/24

Updated: 12:42 PM ET Dec 12, 2024

SoFi StadiumFOX

Buccaneers

4:25 PM ETSun Dec 15

Chargers

LLWWW	Last 5	WWLWL
7-6	Record	8-5
8-5-0	ATS Record	9-3-1
8-5	O/U Record	4-9

Vote on who will cover the spread!

Buccaneers vs Chargers Pickswise Expert Predictions

NFL

Point Spread Pick

LA Chargers -2.5(-120)TB Buccaneers @ LA Chargers

Reasoning

The Los Angeles Chargers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday in a pivotal matchup with playoff implications. The Chargers sit firmly in 6th place in the AFC, and their remaining schedule includes hosting the Denver Broncos before road games against the Patriots and Raiders. They’re coming off a 19-17 defeat at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs, and their five defeats this year have come against the Chiefs, Ravens, Steelers and Cardinals. Their biggest issue heading into this matchup is the overall health of key players, as Joey Bosa (Hip), Will Dissly (Shoulder) and Justin Herbert (Ankle/Thigh) all missed Wednesday’s practice, but Ladd McConkey was a limited participant, which is good to see after he missed their Week 14 defeat against Kansas City.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will travel across the country for this matchup, and their current health outlook isn’t much better. The Bucs lost key safety Antoine Winfield Jr. last week to a Foot/Knee injury, and he will miss Sunday’s contest. Additionally, Tristan Wirfs (Foot/Knee), Mike Evans (Hamstring), Bucky Irving (Back/Hip) and Sterling Shepard (Foot) all missed Wednesday’s practice, and it feels like QB Baker Mayfield is the only healthy player on this team. He’s been carrying the Bucs this season, as Tampa averages 379.2 yards per game (3rd in the NFL) and scores 27.9 PPG (5th in the NFL).

Although the Bucs have been on a nice run, winning 3 straight, those games came against the Giants, Panthers and Raiders, who have combined for 7 wins this season. Additionally, they benefit from an easy schedule down the stretch, as they’ll face the Cowboys, Panthers and Saints, who have a combined record of 15-26. The Chargers have covered all 5 times this season when they’re 3+ point favorites, and the Bucs can lose this game and still win the NFC South. The health of Herbert is concerning, but I expect him to suit up on Sunday and will back the Chargers to win by a field goal or more in front of their home fans.

Buccaneers vs Chargers prediction: Los Angeles -2.5 (-120) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number down to -125.

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Luke Lindholm

NFL

Game Totals Pick

Under 45.5(-110)TB Buccaneers @ LA Chargers

Reasoning

I expect a close game on Sunday, and we should be in for a low-scoring contest. Both teams are beat up, but outside of Joey Bosa, most of the Chargers defense is healthy. Additionally, they’ve played extremely well this season, giving up just 15.9 PPG (1st in the NFL). Now, the Bucs offense has been humming, but the only two legit defenses they’ve faced on the road were the Lions (20 points) and Chiefs (24 points). While I do think Tampa can score 20+, the Chargers have held their opponents to 19.3 PPG at home, which includes 34 and 30-point outbursts by the Bengals and Ravens.

On the flip side, there’s not much to compliment about this Buccaneers defense, as they rank 31st in success rate. However, the Chargers haven’t been the same on offense since losing RB J.K. Dobbins to a knee injury. They’ve failed to surpass more than 94 rushing yards in the three games without Dobbins and have scored just 23, 17 and 17 points since losing their elite playmaker in the backfield. Additionally, TE Will Dissly will likely miss Sunday’s game, and Justin Herbert will likely not be playing at 100%.

This game feels like both teams will score in the low 20s or high teens, so I like the Under. Additionally, the Under has cashed in 9 of LA’s 13 games this season, and their only home games with 45+ points came against the Ravens and Bengals. They just held the Chiefs to 19 points in Kansas City, and I expect the Chargers to slow down a Bucs offense enough to keep this game Under the 45-point total.

Buccaneers vs Chargers prediction: Under 45.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable down to 45 (-110).

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Luke Lindholm

Show Bio

Luke Lindholm is the Managing Editor of US Media Partnerships for Spotlight Sports Group (SSG) and is living in Boston, Massachusetts. Luke has been handicapping NCAAF and Soccer for more than five years and loves sharing knowledge with other knowledgeable handicappers in the sports betting industry. For Luke Lindholm media enquiries, please email contact@pickswise.com.

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