NFL
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Los Angeles Chargers Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
SportsBoom Previews the NFL match between Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, December 15, 2024. The stakes for both teams couldn’t be more crucial before kickoff, and NFL betting fans are already assessing where to lay their wager in the hopes of finding the best value. For a detailed, in-depth look at the match, be sure to check out our full preview.
Los Angeles Chargers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers//Getty Images
Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to face Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL’s match week 15 on Sunday. The contest promises to be pivotal, with both teams eager to claim victory. The Buccaneers are aiming to secure their fourth consecutive NFC South title, while the Chargers will be looking for a win, as they are vying for a Wild Card playoff berth.
Tampa Bay improved their record to 7-6 following a victory over the Las Vegas Raiders and a riding a three-game winning streak, while the 8-5 Chargers will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways after their nail-biting 19-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Buccaneers lead in recent matchups, having won the last three encounters, although the Chargers hold an overall series advantage at 8-4. Sunday’s game will be momentous for the Buccaneers, as they are up against a formidable Chargers defense, ranked first in points allowed with (15.9) and fifth in sacks with (39.0).
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Los Angeles Chargers Match Details
Date: Sunday, December 15, 2024
Kickoff: 4:25 p.m. ET/ 1:25 p.m. PT
Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Referee: Scott Novak
Last Meeting: Los Angeles Chargers 31-38 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (October 4th, 2020, | NFL)
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability: LA Chargers Favourites
Home: 17/25 (1.68) – 59.5%
Draw: 14/1 (15.00) – 6.7%
Away: 129/100 (2.29) – 43.7%
*Odds courtesy of Stake, subject to change
Head-to-Head Record
Last five meetings (NFL)
04/10/2020 Los Angeles Chargers 31-38 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
04/12/2016 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-21 San Diego Chargers
11/11/2012 San Diego Chargers 24-34 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
21/12/2008 San Diego Chargers 41-24 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
12/12/2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-31 San Diego Chargers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Current Form - WWWLL (Last Five Results)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their third straight game last week, upending the visiting Las Vegas Raiders 28-13, to improve to 7-6. In the process, the Buccaneers hurdled the Atlanta Falcons, who lost on Sunday in Minnesota, back into first place by one game in the NFC South.
With four games weeks left to play, the Bucs are now fully in "playoff mode" each weekend.
Coincidentally, last week’s win was their first against an AFC opponent. Before the win, Tampa Bay had recorded victories against the Carolina Panthers 26-23 and the New York Giants 30-7. These wins followed losses against the San Francisco 49ers 20-23 and the Kansas City Chiefs 30-24.
Tampa Bay will be hoping to extend their three-game winning streak against the Chargers and cement their grip atop the NFC South standings.
Key Players to Watch
- Baker Mayfield (Quarterback): Mayfield is having the best season of his career. He has already tied his career high with 28 touchdown passes and is completing a career-best 70.2% of his passes. Mayfield has also compiled a 101.4 passer rating. He will need to bring his best version to LA.
- Luke Goedeke (Offensive Tackle): In his second full season as the Buccaneers' starting right tackle, Luke Goedeke has continued to solidify his spot as one of the NFL's better performers at his position.
This season, Goedeke has allowed just one sack, according to Pro Football Focus, and he's part of an offensive line that has opened holes for a rushing attack that ranks fourth with an average of 5.14 yards per carry. - Rachaad White (Running Back): Last weekend's win over the Raiders, saw third-year running back Rachaad White pick up the load, producing 109 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown each on the ground and through the air.
White is a smooth route-runner with natural hands, and he also is very good at pass protection, buying Baker Mayfield time with reliable blitz pickups.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Team News
The Buccaneers remain unlucky in terms of health, as they have lost star safety Antoine Winfield Jr. for several weeks, and running back Bucky Irving is now beaten up.
Los Angeles Chargers Current Form - LWLWW (Last five results)
Following a disappointing loss on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night, the Los Angeles Chargers will welcome the return to SoFi Stadium, still having a firm grasp on a Wild Card spot in the AFC.
Their last home match saw them suffer defeat against the Baltimore Ravens 23-30 on November 26, 2024. Chargers will be looking to improve their 4-2 home record against a surging Tampa Bay team.
Prior to the cliffhanger against Kansas, the Chargers had beaten Atlanta Falcons 17-13 on the road, and the home loss to Baltimore.
The Chargers were riding a four-game winning streak before the Ravens game, claiming three victories at home: 34-27 against the Cincinnati Bengals, 27-17 against the Tennessee Titans and 26-8 against the New Orleans Saints. A road win of 27-10 against the Cleveland Browns was nestled in between.
Despite the injuries pilling up, Jim Harbaugh’s men will look to claim the win and end their three-game losing streak against the Buccaneers.
Key Players to Watch
- Justin Herbert (Quarterback): In his fifth season, Justin Herbert is playing some of the best football of his impressive career, with 13 touchdown passes and just one interception leading to a 98.4 passer rating. Justin will need to be on his A-game if the Chargers are to claim victory.
- Khalil Mack (Outside Linebacker): The Chargers' defense is led by the edge-rush combo of Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. Khalil has been a standout for the Chargers defense which is the NFL’s top-scoring defense. The Veteran linebacker will be crucial in slowing down the Buccaneers offense which ranks among the top ten in yards per game, passing yards and rushing yards.
- Ladd McConkey (Wide Receiver): Ladd McConkey's absence was greatly felt during last week’s loss to Kansas and the Chargers will hope he returns from his knee and shoulder injuries in time for this matchup. McConkey is a route-running savant.
Los Angeles Chargers Team News
The Chargers will have to hope that wide receiver Ladd McConkey is able to return to the lineup after witnessing their passing game mightily struggle without him last week.
Predicted Line ups
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Offense:
- QB: Baker Mayfield
- RB: Rachaad White and Sean Tucker
- WR: Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer
- TE: Cade Otton or Payne Durham
- OL: Tristan Wirfs, Luke Goedeke, Ben Bredeson, Cody Mauch and Graham Barton
Defense:
- DE: Logan Hall
- DT: Vita Vea
- LB: Joe Tyron-Shoyinka, Yaya Diaby, Lavonte David and K.J. Britt
- CB: Zyon McCollum and Tykee Smith
- S: Kaevon Merriweather and Tavierre Thomas
Los Angeles Chargers
Offense:
- QB: Justin Herbert
- RB: Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins
- WR: Joshua Palmer, DJ Chark, Ladd McConkey or Quentin Johnston.
- TE: Hayden Hurst or Will Dissly
- OL: Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman and Trey Pipkins III
Defense:
- DE: Morgan Fox
- DT: Otito Ogbonnia
- LB: Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Denzel Perryman and Daiyan Henley
- CB: Asante Samuel, Jr. and Kristian Fulton
- S: Derwin James, Jr., and Alohi Gilman
Suggested Bets
If you value betting on the NFL, here are some of the bets you can place at some of the leading NFL sportsbooks.
The Chargers to win: Baker Mayfield was shaky in the Buccaneers vs the Raiders game. The latter’s lackluster defense and minimal resistance late in the game favored the Buccaneers. Unfortunately, he might have the same luck against the Chargers' pass rush, which will limit the run early and disrupt the downfield passing attack late.
(17/25 with Stake) (33/50 with BetWinner) (13/20 with Pinnacle)
Both teams to score a total of under 45.5 points: The game is expected to be a low-scoring contest. There’s little to praise about the Buccaneer's defense, which ranks 31st in success rate, while the Chargers' offense has struggled to find its rhythm since losing RB J.K. Dobbins to a knee injury. Therefore, this matchup has the makings of a low-scoring affair, with both teams likely finishing in the high teens or low 20s.
(89/100 with Stake) (9/10 BetWinner) (93/100 with Pinnacle)
Chargers to have a point spread of -2.5: Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert played impressively in the game against Kansas City and will undoubtedly give the Buccaneers headaches next Sunday.
(77/100 with Stake) (79/100 with BetWinner) (41/50 with Pinnacle)
Value Bets
Justin Herbert to throw for under 1.5 passing touchdowns: Herbert has thrown multiple touchdown passes in just four games this season and is yet to throw more than two in a single game. (67/100 with Stake) (71/100 with Pinnacle)
Mike Evans to score for under 0.5 anytime touchdowns: Evans remains a consistent threat to score on deep balls and remains a primary option in the Buccaneers’ red-zone offense. (9/20 with Stake) (49/100 with Pinnacle)
LA Chargers to lead in the first half: Buccaneers' pass defense has been least effective in shutting down opposing running backs, giving up 44 yards per game.
(17/25 with Stake) (73/100 with Pinnacle)
Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers to Win
Tampa Bay are on a three-game winning streak against the Chargers, but the Chargers are highly motivated to break the losing streak and cement a Wild Card Playoff berth. With both teams heading into the contest with key players carrying knocks and injuries, it promises to be a tight game with the potential to be captivating. Because of that, the projection is that the Chargers will cover the spread and take the win home.
Ian Mugo Wanyeki is based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a sports enthusiast with vast knowledge of different sport disciplines. Ian is a graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Kenyatta University. He is a Kenyan journalist who’s worked as a sports analyst at Covenant Television Network, as a sports reporter at NTV and as a Sports Correspondent/contributor at Quartz Africa.