The New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers lock horns for the first time since 2017, so we have prepared the best betting pick and odds for their interconference showdown at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 12, 2021.
It’s Week 14 of the 2021 NFL season, and the 4-8 Giants are still alive in the playoff chase. They head to California as massive 10-point underdogs on MyBookie Sportsbook, while the 7-5 Chargers are listed as -490 moneyline favorites with a total of 43.0 points.
The Giants miss Daniel Jones
The New York Giants (4-8; 6-6 ATS) are coming off a 20-9 defeat at the Miami Marlins in Week 13. They missed Daniel Jones due to a neck injury, and the Giants’ starting signal-caller will almost certainly remain sidelined for at least another week.
New York gained only 250 total yards in Danny Dimes’ absence, while Mike Glennon went 23-of-44 for 187 yards and an interception. The Giants carried the ball just 17 times even though Saquon Barkley and Devontae Booker combined for 5.4 yards per carry.
Mike Glennon is in concussion protocol, so New York might start Jake Fromm against the Chargers. Fromm hasn’t appeared in a regular-season game yet and was claimed off Buffalo’s practice squad last week. The Giants’ offense is in shambles, averaging 17.6 points per game (28th in the NFL) on 90.8 rushing yards (26th) and 221.0 passing yards (21st).
The Chargers have serious COVID-19 issues
The Los Angeles Chargers (7-5; 6-6 ATS) trounced Cincinnati 41-22 last Sunday to stay in the AFC playoff picture. They scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to hold off the Bengals and get back on the winning path following a tough 28-13 defeat at the Denver Broncos in Week 12.
The Chargers outgained the Bengals 363-356 and won the turnover battle 4-3. Justin Herbert went 26-of-35 for 317 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception, while Austin Ekeler had 14 totes for 59 yards and a TD.
Wideout Keenan Allen, who scored a couple of touchdowns against Cincy, tested positive for COVID-19 last Monday, while WR Mike Williams and CB Chris Harris entered medical protocols as Allen’s close contacts. Allen and Williams have combined for 1,783 yards and 11 touchdowns so far this season.
Trends:
NY Giants:
- 1-5 ATS in the last six games played in December
- 1-5 ATS in the last six games against the Chargers
LA Chargers:
- 4-1 ATS in the last five games played in December
- 5-1 ATS in the last six games against the NFC East
New York Giants vs. Los Angeles Chargers Pick
Both Giants and Chargers have been pretty unpredictable as of late. Each side has gone 3-3 SU over the last six games while failing to record two straight victories. The Chargers should win this game, but covering a 10-point spread could be a tricky task, especially if both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams remain on the COVID-19 list.
The Giants will stand a chance only if they run the ball efficiently. LA surrenders a whopping 141.2 rushing yards per game (31st in the NFL). However, the Giants’ offensive line has been terrible all season long, while New York’s defense ranks 25th in the league in rushing yards (122.8) and 17th in passing yards (242.5).
Pick: Take Los Angeles Chargers -10.0 at -110
The Total:
The Giants’ last six games have gone under the total, producing 40 or fewer points each. New York has hit a 20-point mark only twice in that span. Hereof, the Giants will probably struggle a lot with Daniel Jones on the shelf, though the Chargers’ defense has been awful over the last few weeks.
Los Angeles has allowed 22 or more points in eight straight outings. The Chargers have a nice opportunity to get things going on the defensive end, so I lean the under. Their front seven should cope well with the Giants’ struggling offensive line.
Pick: Go under 42.5 points at -110