Chargers Looking to End Five-Game ATS Losing Streak vs Pats

The Los Angeles Chargers (3-8) have dropped four of five games – going 0-5 against the spread – as they get ready to host the New England Patriots (5-6) on Sunday. The Chargers have been competitive in most of their games but finished poorly despite having the Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite under center in quarterback Justin Herbert.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Call it respect for New England head coach Bill Belichick opposite Anthony Lynn of Los Angeles in what looks to be a big mismatch on the sidelines. The point spread has dropped from Chargers -1.5 to a pick’em at most sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark in early betting, making that the most logical reason why the line has moved in that direction. While the Patriots have not been good this year under Belichick by any means, many would argue Lynn is the reason the Chargers reside in the basement of the AFC West.

New England News & Notes

It is hard to figure out this New England team, which is only as good as the players on the field. Belichick unfortunately has learned that the hard way this year sans quarterback Tom Brady and many others who either left in the offseason or opted out before the year kicked off due to COVID-19 concerns. Regardless, they have won three of their last four to stay just outside the playoff picture in the AFC and remain somewhat relevant down the stretch.

This is another game New England should win based solely on the coaching matchup, as Belichick found a way to beat the Arizona Cardinals 20-17 last week with Cam Newton throwing for 84 yards and two interceptions. Fortunately, Patriots kicker Nick Folk came through, nailing the game-winning field goal from 50 yards out as time expired.

Los Angeles News & Notes

Lynn could be the next head coach fired depending on how this game turns out, although a victory in this spot would probably allow him to stick around for the rest of the year. Los Angeles obviously has talented players, led by Herbert, who looks to be the real deal and will most likely walk away with some hardware at the end of the season.

But the Chargers might be the biggest tease in the NFL, keeping games close and then finding ways to lose – either straight up or against the spread or both, if you consider last week’s 27-17 road loss to the Buffalo Bills as 4-point underdogs.

They had an opportunity to cover against the Bills in the final seconds but failed to score a touchdown from inside the 3-yard line on four consecutive plays, even drawing a penalty to earn more chances. However, this has been a very common theme for the Bolts and their backers in 2020.

Betting Pick: Patriots Pick’em

This one simply comes down to coaching, so ride the line move here and take New England to win the game at a pick’em. Belichick is undoubtedly a future Hall of Famer while there are doubts regarding whether or not his counterpart Lynn will make it until the end of the regular season for Los Angeles. Maybe Belichick eventually takes Lynn’s place? Don’t bet on that happening, but wager on the Patriots to get the W.