Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Chargers Pick 8/24/19
WestSeattle Seahawks (1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (0-2 SU, 0-1-1 ATS), 8/24/19
Time: 10 pm ET Saturday, Aug. 24
Where: Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, CA
TV: NFL Network
Point spread: Seahawks -3 (BetNow)
Moneyline: Seattle -145/Chargers +125
Over/Under: 41
Playoff contenders and Super Bowl hopefuls hook up when the Chargers host the Seahawks for a Week 3 NFL exhibition season bout Saturday night in suburban Los Angeles. Neither starting quarterback has played much so far this pre-season, and their workload for this one remains uncertain. How are we playing this game with our free NFL pick?
NFL Betting Odds
Week 3’s NFL exhibition betting odds opened Los Angeles at -2 over Seattle, with an over/under of 41. Early betting action then flipped the Seahawks into three-point favorites.
Seahawks vs. Chargers Set-Up
Seattle opened this 2019 NFL exhibition season with a 22-14 win over Denver two weeks ago, then lost last Sunday at Minnesota 25-19. The Seahawks spotted the Broncos the first six points of the game, then used a 22-0 run spanning the halves to take control. Seattle then led the Vikings 13-10 late into the third quarter but allowed a 15-3 run to trail and couldn’t recover.
The Seahawks out-gained Denver 301-298 but got out-gained by Minnesota 409-221.
Starting quarterback, Russell Wilson sat out the win over the Broncos, then played the first two series against the Vikings. In his place back-ups Paxton Lynch, Geno Smith, and JT Barrett are a combined 20/42 for 234 yards and one touchdown, with one interception.
We expect Wilson to play most of the first half Saturday night, before turning things over probably to Smith and Barrett, as Lynch deals with a sore neck.
Los Angeles opened its exhibition slate with a 17-13 loss at Arizona two weeks ago, then fell at home to New Orleans last Sunday 19-17. The Chargers took a 7-0 lead on the Cardinals in the second quarter, gave up the next 17 points of the game, pulled to within four points midway through the fourth but couldn’t entirely complete the comeback. Los Angeles then led the Saints 17-3 late into the third quarter but gave up the last 16 points of the game.
The Chargers out-gained Arizona 357-289 then got out-gained by New Orleans 324-304.
Starting QB Philip Rivers has not played this pre-season yet; in his place back-ups Tyrod Taylor, Cardale Jones, and Easton Stick are a combined 39/60 passing for 417 yards and one touchdown, against two picks.
We would expect Rivers to see some action Saturday night, but as of this writing Coach, Lynn was still holding his cards close to his vest.
These teams just met back in Week 9 of last season, a 25-17 Chargers victory up in Seattle. Los Angeles led most of that game but gave the Seahawks a last-gasp chance on a pass interference in the end zone in the waning moments. But with no time on the clock, Seattle then had a touchdown pass in the end zone dropped.
The Chargers out-gained the Seahawks that day 375-356, but Seattle held a 36/24 time of possession advantage. Ultimately, a Los Angeles pick-six off Wilson in the fourth quarter made the difference.
Chargers running back Melvin Gordon had a big game that day, but he’s still holding out and won’t play Saturday night.
NFL Betting Trends
- Seattle is 23-15 SU, 24-13-1 ATS in nine-plus exhibition seasons under Coach Carroll.
- Los Angeles is 3-7 SU, 3-6-1 ATS in two exhibition seasons under Coach Lynn.
Totals Report
Seattle’s win over Denver two weeks ago sneaked under a total of 37 points, while the loss to Minnesota played over a total of 41. The Chargers’ loss to Arizona two weeks ago played under a total of 37, and last week’s loss to New Orleans played under 42. Through the first two weeks of this NFL exhibition season, unders are 17-15.Free NFL Pick
Seattle owns the better running game in this match-up, and Coach Carroll seems to take these exhibition games more seriously than Coach Lynn, at least as far as actually winning goes. We like the Seahawks for our free NFL pick here.STOP LOSING TODAY! START WINNING WITH DOC'S TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS! GET A FREE NO STRINGS ATTACHED $60 FOR THIS WEEK'S GAMES!
