Cincinnati Bengals (4-6) will face off against the LA Chargers (6-3) this Sunday at 8:20 p.m. EST, broadcasted on NBC and Peacock. According to BetMGM, the Chargers are favored by a margin of 1.5 points. Both teams bring respectable records against the spread, with the Bengals noted at 6-4 and the Chargers at 6-3. Historically, the Chargers hold a significant advantage in their series, leading 22-14. In their most recent matchup, the Chargers triumphed over the Bengals with a convincing score of 41-22 in Cincinnati on December 5, 2021.
Last week saw the Bengals edged out by Baltimore in a nail-biting 35-34 contest, while the Chargers secured a win against Tennessee, finishing 27-17. When examining their performances, the Bengals’ offense, ranked 12th overall, has shown strength in the passing game (4th) but struggled in rushing (29th). Their defense, unfortunately, is performing at a lower tier, sitting at 23rd in overall defense. Conversely, the Chargers rank lower in offensive metrics—22nd overall, but their defense boasts impressive ranks, placing 6th overall and achieving the top scoring defense in the league.
A key player for the Bengals to keep an eye on is DE Trey Hendrickson, who leads the NFL with 11 sacks this season, despite no other Cincinnati defender surpassing two. Hendrickson has had standout games, including a performance with four sacks against the Raiders. On the flip side, Chargers QB Justin Herbert has been somewhat vulnerable; he has faced two sacks in his last two matches.
For the Chargers, OLB Tuli Tuipulotu has made a significant impact with two out of the team’s seven sacks against Tennessee, marking his second consecutive game of at least two sacks. Over the past three games, Tuipulotu has amassed 5.5 sacks. His ability to disrupt may benefit veterans Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, allowing them to save energy for crucial moments.
A pivotal battle in this matchup will be the Chargers’ run offense against Bengals DT B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins. Cincinnati has demonstrated resilience against the run, preventing three out of their last four opponents from exceeding 100 rushing yards. The Chargers will need to deploy J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards effectively, who managed to combine for 105 yards on 25 carries against a stout Tennessee defense, especially since running the ball efficiently will help keep Bengals QB Joe Burrow off the field.
In terms of player availability, the Bengals are hopeful for the return of WR Tee Higgins (quad) and LT Orlando Brown Jr. (lower body) after they missed recent games. Although Edwards of the Chargers suffered an ankle tweak last week, he is expected to be ready for Sunday’s contest. Additionally, OLB Khalil Mack was sidelined during Wednesday practice due to a groin issue.
Historically, the Chargers have secured victories in their last three encounters with the Bengals since relocating to Los Angeles in 2017. This game will mark the first meeting between these two teams at SoFi Stadium, although the Chargers previously won as the home team in Carson, California in 2018.
Noteworthy statistics include a stellar performance by Burrow against Baltimore, throwing for 428 yards and four touchdowns while completing 68.7% of his passes. WR Ja’Marr Chase also had a breakout game, accumulating 264 receiving yards and scoring three touchdowns, bringing his season tallies to an impressive 981 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Bengals recently adjusted their backfield, trading for RB Khalil Herbert following a neck injury to Zack Moss, but Herbert fumbled during his limited opportunities against the Ravens.
The Chargers, for their part, have demonstrated an impressive defensive consistency, not permitting more than 20 points in any of their first nine matchups this season. Should they limit Cincinnati to under 21 points, they would set a record for the most games under 21 points allowed at the season’s outset since the 1990 Giants. QB Justin Herbert’s season has been marked by ball security; he has thrown just one interception over 241 attempts.
For fantasy enthusiasts, Chargers WR Quentin Johnston, who has scored touchdowns in consecutive games, appears to be a strong candidate for another score this week, given Cincinnati’s challenges against the pass, having allowed 17 touchdowns this season, including four against Baltimore.