The Los Angeles Chargers (1-0) are set to face the Carolina Panthers (0-1) on Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT, with CBS airing the game. According to BetMGM NFL odds, the Chargers are favored by 6 1/2 points. The Panthers hold a 6-1 series record against the Chargers. In terms of betting trends, the Chargers are 1-0 against the spread, while the Panthers are 0-1. The last encounter between the two teams resulted in a 21-16 victory for the Panthers in Los Angeles on September 27, 2020.
In the previous week, the Chargers secured a 22-10 win over the Raiders, whereas the Panthers suffered a 47-10 loss to the Saints. The Chargers’ offense ranks 13th overall, with a strong rushing attack at 5th in the league. Meanwhile, the Panthers’ offense is struggling, ranking 31st overall and last in rushing. Defensively, the Chargers rank 15th overall, and the Panthers rank 24th.
One player to watch from the Chargers is J.K. Dobbins, who had an impressive debut game with 135 yards and a touchdown. On the Panthers’ side, Bryce Young had a tough outing in the season opener, throwing two interceptions and no touchdown passes.
A key matchup to look out for is QB Justin Herbert against the Panthers’ pass rush. Carolina only managed one sack in their last game, and with key defensive players missing, Herbert could potentially exploit the Panthers’ defense.
In terms of injuries, the Chargers may be missing some key players in the secondary, while the Panthers are fairly healthy, expecting the return of TE Tommy Tremble.
Historically, the Panthers have dominated the series against the Chargers, winning the last four matchups. The Chargers’ last victory over the Panthers dates back to 2004.
From a fantasy perspective, Chargers WR Ladd McConkey had a solid debut game with five receptions and a touchdown, making him a player to consider for fantasy lineups.
Both teams are aiming for different outcomes this week, with the Chargers looking to start the season 2-0 for the first time since 2012, while the Panthers aim to avoid a 0-2 start for the third consecutive season.