Do the Chargers improve on their good start to the season?
A rather rare treat brings us game day 2 of the new NFL season. With the matchup of the Chargers and the Cowboys, we get to see a duel that has only happened five times this millennium. Four of these meetings went to the Chargers.
On Sunday, too, the men around high-flyer Justin Herbert are considered the favourites. However, this is not primarily due to him, but to their clearly better defence. On Game Day 1, LA’s defensive line allowed 15 fewer points than Dallas’s
This also continues the trend from the preseason, when the Cowboys ultimately had no chance of making the playoffs due to their weak defence. LA also missed out on the playoffs, but they still managed to finish the season with four wins in a row.
With the opening win on Sunday against Washington, the franchise has now won five in a row. For Chargers vs. Cowboys, our prediction on the second Game Day is a success for the franchise from the City of Angels with at least a field goal lead.
Start of the evening game is at 10:25 pm on Sunday. The game can be watched live in the RedZone on DAZN. NFL Game Week 2 has more treats in store, including the Colts’ clash with the Rams.
United States Los Angeles Chargers – Statistics & current form
The Chargers could be one of the positive surprises of the NFL season that just started. After quarterback Justin Herbert had to get used to the NFL last year, he has now arrived there and delivers week after week.
Even a rather average workday from him, like on Sunday against Washington, is now enough to win. That’s due in part to running back Austin Ekeler, but primarily, of course, to their defence.
Top 5 defence expected in 2021
With Joey Bosa, Derwin Jones or Kenneth Murray, the Chargers have some defensive playmakers in their ranks, who are also currently, and this is one of the differences to Dallas, all fit. In 2020, this defence allowed only 343.4 yards per game.
In comparison, the Cowboys’ defence was 386.4 last year, which is exactly 40 yards more per game – worlds apart for the NFL. So, once again, there is something to be said for Sunday that the Chargers could win the duel via their defence
The Cowboys’ passing game must be stopped
To do that, however, they must succeed first and foremost in getting a grip on the Boys’ strong receivers. With Cooper, Lamb or Wilson they have one of the best receiver corps on the field. The absence of Gallup, however, is a big help to LA.
Without him, the Chargers’ secondary should have a good chance of mastering this task – which also gives them a slightly bigger favourite status. With Los Angeles vs. Dallas, a tip on Chargers -4 is therefore still a bet we would recommend.
Key Players:
QB: Justin Herbert
– RB: Austin Ekeler
– WR: Keenan Allen
– TE: Jared Cook
– K: Tristan Vizcaino
United States Dallas Cowboys – Statistics & Current form
In Dallas they are puzzling. Because, much like the preseason, there are an extreme number of players on the franchise who, on paper, should be a clear playoff contender.
But on the one hand, bad luck with injuries keeps throwing a spanner in the works, and on the other hand, their defence, which they simply can’t get stable this year either. Already at halftime against Tampa Bay on Game Day 1, they had conceded 21 points.
Gallup, Gregory and Lawrence out
The season barely got started before another one of their key players got hurt in Game 1 on Thursday. Wide receiver Michael Gallup suffered a calf injury that will keep him out of action for at least three weeks.
Fortunately for the team, this is the only important injury at the moment. Defensively, it’s a different story. With Randy Gregory, one of their best defensive ends is out for Sunday due to Covid. After DeMarcus Lawrence, who also got injured at short notice, this is already the second high-profile loss in a week.
As if that wasn’t enough of a niggle, DTs Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore are also currently ineligible. The absences of Gregory and Lawrence in particular could have an extremely negative impact for the clash with the Chargers
Offense is under enormous pressure
This means the offense will probably have to score over 30 points to have a chance to win. Although quarterback Dak Prescott already looks fit after his serious injury, we dare to doubt a stunning performance on his part against the tough Chargers defence.
Thus, sub-30 Dallas points are possible for betting as well as any picks on LA. For Chargers vs Cowboys, the odds on Los Angeles + over points also represent an option that could pay off with some risk appetite.
Key Players:
QB: Dak Prescott
RB: Ezekiel Elliott
WR: Amari Cooper
WR: CeDee Lamb
K: Greg Zuerlein
Los Angeles Chargers – Dallas Cowboys Direct Comparison / H2H Balance
2005 was the year the Cowboys last won against the Chargers, making them one of the teams Dallas has the longest drought against. That doesn’t necessarily bode well for the Texas franchise either.
In addition, Game Day 1 showed that the Chargers’ defence is slightly better than the Cowboys’ again this year. Last year, LA also allowed an average of three points less per game (26.6 to 29.6).
All in all, there are clearly more points in favour of the men from California than for their Texan opponents. For LA vs. Dallas, a tip on the Chargers is our clear betting recommendation, followed by bets on over-points.
United States Los Angeles Chargers – Dallas Cowboys United States Tip
Cowboys fans will hate to hear it, but they could be off to another 0-2 start to the season. If Chargers QB Justin Herbert steps it up a notch and LA’s defense continues to deliver, there’s at least a lot to be said for it.
So, even with a handicap of up to -4, we would still consider the odds on LA to be “good bets” on Chargers vs Cowboys. Alternatively, bets on the home team in combination with over-points are conceivable.
Betting on points of a team is also an alternative. In this case, we recommend betting on 30+ points for the Chargers, who should take advantage of the Cowboys’ injury concerns on defence on Sunday.
