The Los Angeles Chargers look to snap out of their recent funk when they take on the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football. Both teams enter the game battling for playoff positioning with each just one-half game out of first place in their respective divisions. The Chargers (5-4), who trail the first-place Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West, have lost three of four. The Steelers (5-3-1), who trail the AFC North-leading Baltimore Ravens, are 4-0-1 in their last five games.
The game from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., is slated to start at 8:20 p.m. ET. Pittsburgh is averaging 331.1 yards per game on offense, 24th-best in the league, while Los Angeles is 10th at 370.2. Los Angeles is favored by six points in the latest Steelers vs. Chargers odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is 47.5. Before you make any Steelers vs. Chargers bets or predictions, make sure you check out what SportsLine NFL expert R.J. White has to say.
White, a CBS Sports fantasy and gambling editor, ended the 2020 season on an 80-59 run on all NFL picks, returning more than $1,400 during that span. It's no surprise, as White has cashed huge twice in the world's most prestigious football handicapping competition, the Las Vegas SuperContest. In addition, White is 48-28-3 on his last 79 against-the-spread picks involving the Steelers. Anyone who has followed him is way up.
Now, White has zoned in on Steelers vs. Chargers. You can head to SportsLine to see his picks. Here are the NFL lines and trends for Steelers vs. Chargers:
Steelers vs. Chargers spread: Los Angeles -6 Steelers vs. Chargers over-under: 47.5 points Steelers vs. Chargers money line: Pittsburgh +220, Los Angeles -270 PIT: Steelers are 18-7-1 against the spread in their last 26 games as road underdogs LAC: Chargers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games following a straight-up loss Why the Chargers can coverLos Angeles is led by quarterback Justin Herbert, who has completed 65.4 percent of his passes this year. He is 231-for-353 for 2,545 yards and 19 touchdowns with seven interceptions and a 96.3 rating. He has also rushed 30 times for 117 yards (3.9 average) with two touchdowns and 13 first-down conversions. He has thrown for more than 300 yards in four games this season, completing 32 of 38 passes (84.2 percent) for 356 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-24 win at Philadelphia on Nov. 7.
His favorite target has been Keenan Allen, who leads the Chargers in receptions with 65 for 698 yards (10.7 average) and two touchdowns. He has had nine explosive plays of 20 yards or more and has converted 37 first downs. He has had three 100-yard receiving games this season, including a 12-catch, 104-yard performance at Philadelphia. Last week against Minnesota, Allen caught eight passes for 98 yards.
Why the Steelers can coverDespite that, Los Angeles is not a lock to cover the Steelers vs. Chargers spread. That's because Pittsburgh has played well on the road, going 2-1. It also has a large fan base, which could turn this into a home game. The Steelers' offense will be led by running back Najee Harris. He leads the team in rushing with 646 yards on 176 carries (3.7 average) and four touchdowns. He has two explosive plays of 20 yards or more and has converted 35 first downs. He is also a weapon out of the backfield with 44 receptions for 317 yards (7.2 average) and two TDs.
Diontae Johnson is expected to carry the load at receiver. Johnson leads the team with 52 receptions for 613 yards (11.8 average) and three touchdowns. He has nine explosive plays with 29 first-down conversions. Last week against Detroit, he had seven receptions for 83 yards.
How to make Steelers vs. Chargers picksFor Sunday Night Football, White is leaning over the total, but he also says a critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back. You
