LA Chargers vs. LA Rams NFL Predictions & NFL Best Bets 08/12

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• Date: Saturday Aug. 12
  Time: 9 p.m. ET
  Location: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
  Broadcast: CBS, NFL Network

Under the leadership of head coach Sean McVay, the Rams traditionally rest their key players during the preseason. 

This means it's unlikely we'll see the likes of QB Matthew Stafford, WR Cooper Kupp, DT Aaron Donald, or CB Jalen Ramsey on the field. 

McVay prioritizes evaluating young talent over securing exhibition victories, which is evident from the Rams' 0-3 preseason record last year.

Similarly, Chargers' coach Brandon Staley seems inclined towards preserving his main squad. 

He's anticipated to sideline a majority of his starters, providing an opportunity for newcomers and yet-to-be-established players to showcase their skills at SoFi Stadium. 

Reflecting this strategy, the Chargers posted a modest preseason score last year, accumulating the second-lowest points (23) and keeping QB Justin Herbert and other star players off the field for all three games.

The Los Angeles Rams are favored in this matchup with -148 odds for the moneyline and +100 odds for the -3.5 spread.

The Los Angeles Chargers are +3.5 point underdogs, with -122 odds and +123 odds for the moneyline in this matchup vs the Los Angeles Rams.

The Chargers wrapped up their previous season with a respectable 10-7 record. Their final game, however, saw a narrow defeat against the Jaguars, with the scoreboard reading 31-30. 

The key player for the Chargers was Justin Herbert, who threw for 273 yards and a touchdown, finishing the game with an 84.7 QB rating. The impressive Gerald Everett averaged 18.2 yards per catch, tallying 109 yards on 6 receptions.

However, the Chargers' ground game left a lot to be desired. Despite Austin Ekeler's best efforts, the team averaged a meager 2.9 yards per attempt. 

Defensively, they struggled against the run, allowing 5.6 yards per rush. However, their pass defense seemed more adept, ranking 7th in the NFL, conceding just over 200 yards per game.

Statistically, the Chargers' offense has been average, ranking 30th in the NFL for rushing. Their point average stands at 23.0 points per game. 

On the defensive end, they rank 21st, letting in 22.6 PPG. Their run defense, in particular, needs attention having given up 2,478 yards across 17 games.

The Rams had a more challenging season, concluding it at 5-12. Their last game was a tight 19-16 loss against the Seahawks. 

Baker Mayfield, although struggling with consistency, managed 147 yards on a 51.3 QB rating. Van Jefferson emerged as a key target, averaging 20.3 yards per reception. 

The shining light for the Rams was Cam Akers, who displayed a promising performance averaging 5.0 yards per carry.

The Rams' defensive side witnessed some challenges. They allowed a significant 5.5 yards per rush and conceded 205 passing yards with a 61.3% completion rate. 

Offensively, the Rams rank last in the league in terms of average yards per game. They've also struggled in the air, ranking 27th in the NFL for passing yards per game, with an average of 182.8. The Rams' scoring stood at 18.1 PPG, placing them 27th in the league.

Defensively, they were ranked 22nd, conceding 22.6 PPG. Their pass defense placed them 21st overall, and they allowed 115.1 rushing yards per game. 

On the bright side, their defense was on the field for 1,049 plays, ranking 11th, showcasing their resilience. They also managed 22 takeaways, demonstrating opportunistic defense.

Last year, the Rams didn't secure a single win during the preseason, choosing to sideline their primary players. 

This is consistent with McVay's approach to exhibition matches, which he doesn't prioritize in terms of victory, typically delegating play-calling duties to his offensive coordinators, and their strategies during the preseason aren't notably intricate.

On a similar note, the Chargers are anticipated to prioritize player health over game outcomes in the upcoming three weeks, keeping their key players rested.

This match will predominantly feature backup and reserve players from both teams, leveling the playing field. 

While the Chargers' backup QB, Chase Daniel, might have a slight edge over the Rams' John Wolford, the overall quality of playmakers for both teams will likely be subdued.

Reflecting on last year's preseason scores, the Rams managed 34 points across three games, while the Chargers posted 23. 

Both teams found themselves among the bottom six in the league in terms of scoring. While their defensive performances were closely matched, conceding 47 and 48 points respectively, don't expect a scoring spree from either offense in this one.

LA Chargers vs. LA Rams Picks

• ⭐ NFL Best Bets 1: Rams to Win on the ML (+130) at BetMGM
• ⭐ NFL Best Bets 2: Under 30.5 (-117) at DraftKings
• ⭐ NFL Best Bets 3: RAMS -3.5 (-110)  at FanDuel