NFL betting tips: Los Angeles Chargers @ Carolina Panthers predictions, preview and best bets

Graham Hartshorn highlights the best bets for the Los Angeles Chargers @ Carolina Panthers NFL Sunday game. Read on to find the preview and the best bets for one of the most anticipated games of Week 2.

NFL | Sep 13, 2024 at 6.00 pm UK at Bank of America Stadium

Los Angeles Chargers @ Carolina Panthers Predictions

Could the Chargers Capitalise on a Wounded Panthers Defence?

• Ladd McConkey accounted for 28% of the Chargers’ target share in his first career start.
• Carolina allowed 47 points against New Orleans despite Derrick Brown playing all but six snaps.
• The Panthers converted only one out of ten third-down attempts in their last game.

Best Bet

The Los Angeles Chargers are set to travel to Carolina for what could be a defining game for both teams this season. Following a solid win against Las Vegas, the Chargers are aiming to build on their early momentum. On the other hand, the Carolina Panthers are reeling after a devastating loss against New Orleans, where they conceded 47 points. To make matters worse, their defence is further weakened by the loss of key defensive lineman Derrick Brown. The Chargers appear to have a golden opportunity to exploit Carolina’s vulnerabilities, but will they make the most of it?

The top prediction for this match is backing the Chargers to cover the spread, currently set at -6.5. Several factors contribute to this recommendation, the most significant being Carolina’s dismal showing in their opener. The Panthers were overwhelmed by New Orleans, conceding 47 points, a performance made even worse by their turnovers, which put their already struggling defence under immense pressure. With the absence of Derrick Brown, the Panthers’ only Pro Bowl-calibre defender, their chances of halting a Chargers attack led by Justin Herbert look slim.

Herbert, while not explosive in his last outing, demonstrated a clear rapport with his new receiving target, Ladd McConkey. McConkey accounted for 28% of the total target share, making him an increasingly reliable asset in the Chargers’ passing game. Despite some uncertainties surrounding the Chargers’ receiving corps due to the loss of Keenan Allen, Herbert’s ability to adapt quickly was apparent. Against a Carolina defence that allowed nearly 50 points even with Brown in the line-up, it’s hard to imagine the Chargers struggling to move the ball.

Moreover, the Panthers’ offence, led by Bryce Young, looks far from a polished unit. Their inability to convert third downs, succeeding just once in ten attempts against the Saints, is a major concern. Young completed just 13 of 30 pass attempts, showcasing how disjointed this offence currently is. Without Brown anchoring their defence, Carolina are likely to have trouble keeping pace, making a spread of -6.5 a value bet. With their defence weakened and an offence still trying to find its feet, Carolina’s chances of keeping the game close seem minimal.

Additional Prediction

Another prediction worth considering for this match is the under 39.5 points total. While the Chargers have shown offensive potential, their victory against Las Vegas was built more on efficiency than explosive plays. Herbert only threw for 144 yards in that game, and no single receiver surpassed 40 yards, indicating that their passing game isn’t firing on all cylinders just yet.

The Panthers, meanwhile, have significant struggles on offence, and it’s hard to imagine them drastically improving from their abysmal showing in the first week. Young has yet to find his rhythm, and without a solid passing game, Carolina may struggle to find the end zone. Given their reliance on long, grinding drives and the potential for their defence to slow down the Chargers’ run game, this could become a slow, methodical match. The odds favour a low-scoring game, particularly with the Chargers likely content to keep things simple against an inferior opponent. Taking the under on the total points line, therefore, seems like a smart wager.

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