The Jim Harbaugh era is off on the right foot for the Los Angeles Chargers, who aim to improve to 2-0 when they cross the country to play the Carolina Panthers in Week 2.
Los Angeles is a heavy road favorite in Carolina, and my Chargers vs. Panthers prediction is for J.K. Dobbins to be a multi-faceted threat in a likely Bolts win.
I run down the spread and Over/Under total for this non-conference clash and give my best NFL picks for September 15.
Chargers vs Panthers prediction
My best betJ.K. Dobbins Over 10.5 receiving yards (-120 at BetMGM)
My analysisBlending my football fandom with my inner comic book nerd, I’ve come up with a catchy name for this new-look Los Angeles Chargers offense: “The West Coast Raven-gers”.
If you get it, you get it.
Under Harbaugh (brother of Ravens coach John Harbaugh), the Chargers not only added former Baltimore offensive coordinator Greg Roman, but two former Ravens running backs in Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. And what we saw in Week 1’s win over Las Vegas was very much in line with what we see from Baltimore most weeks: ground and pound.
Los Angeles amassed 176 rushing yards on 27 carries — an average of 6.5 yards per run — and finished the first week of play ranked ninth in EPA per handoff. Granted, a 61-yard dash from Dobbins is skewing those results. But even if you take that home run out of the mix, L.A. still picked up 4.4 yards per carry on the day.
Dobbins, funny enough, was not the primary ball carrier for the Bolts entering Week 1, behind Edwards on the depth chart. Yet, he played 58% of snaps compared to Edwards’ 42% and his efforts in Week 1 guarantee an uptick in involvement, including a role in the passing game.
Dobbins is looked at as more of a third-down back with pass-catching skills. Injuries limited his availability during his time in Baltimore, but in his one healthy season in 2020, Dobbins grabbed 18 passes for 120 receiving yards over 15 games. He played only 10 games in the past two seasons due to injury, but had 15 receiving yards or more in four of those outings despite light workloads
In his debut for the Chargers, the playbook tossed him three targets for three catches for only four receiving yards versus the Raiders. He’ll get more looks in the passing game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
The Panthers defense entered 2024 ranked dead last in the league and lived up to those low standards by getting rolled for 47 points in a one-sided loss to the Saints last Sunday. New Orleans’ running back combined for six receptions and 40 yards receiving in the victory.
Carolina, which allowed 180 yards on the ground to New Orleans, will need to sell out on stopping the Bolts’ rushing attack, which will create space for short screen passes to running backs like Dobbins. Quarterback Justin Herbert loves a capable pass-catcher in the backfield, utilizing the departed Austin Ekeler as one of the best receiving RBs in recent seasons.
Week 2 player modelling is very bullish on Dobbins’ receiving performance, with projections ranging from 12.7 yards to as many as 20.4. My number comes out north of 15 yards receiving for the Chargers RB, which is more than enough to get Over his player prop total of 10.5 receiving yards versus the Panthers.
MORE NFL FREE PICKS
Chargers vs Panthers same-game parlay
J.K. Dobbins Over 10.5 receiving yardsBryce Young Over 0.5 interceptionsPanthers team total Under 16.5
+300 at BetMGM
Dobbins is getting the snaps, and projections reflect his potency in the passing game, with forecasts as high as 20 yards.
Carolina has some injuries on the offensive line, and Bryce Young will face a vaunted L.A. pass rush that will cause chaos and prompt another INT from the second-year bust.
The Chargers’ ability to grind out possessions and chew up clock will leave Carolina little time with the football and press the Panthers into bad spots.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
New UsersUp to $1,500 in bonus bet insurance at BetMGM
Make your football plays at BetMGM, which is offering new users up to $1,500 in bonus bets (if your first bet doesn’t win)!
Sign up now to join the King of Sportsbooks, or learn more with our comprehensive BetMGM sportsbook review.
Sign Up Now
Eligible U.S. locations only
Chargers vs Panthers odds
Chargers vs Panthers live odds
Chargers vs Panthers opening odds
- Spread: Los Angeles -5 (-110) | Carolina +5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Los Angeles -225 | Carolina +180
- Over/Under: Over 40.5 (-110) | Under 40.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of BetMGM
Chargers vs Panthers spread and Over/Under analysis
• The look-ahead line in the summer didn’t have much faith in Carolina to begin with, setting the Panthers as 3-point home underdogs. But after getting decimated in Week 1 and another terrible showing from Young, the official Week 2 spread hit the board at +4.5 and has been run up as high as +6.5 at some operators.
• The Over/Under total was at 41.5 points in the offseason and reopened at 39.5 O/U following the events of Week 1. That number has slid to 39 points – one of the lowest totals on the Week 2 odds board.
• The Panthers have cluster injuries on the offensive line as well as TE Tommy Tremble listed as questionable, which could impact Carolina’s pass protection. As for the Chargers, star LB Joey Bosa was limited in practice with a sore back and is questionable.
• The forecast for Sunday calls for a chance of light rain in Charlotte with “feels like” temperatures in the mid-80s. Wind could be a factor, with steady speeds of 13 mph and gusts up to 34 mph blowing ENE.
