Welcome to the Week 16 NFL slate, sports betting family. I hope all of you cashed lots of tickets on Thursday Night Football to get your week started off on the right foot. Today, we're going to look at the Chargers vs Cowboys matchup for Sunday, December 21.
The Chargers are coming off their third straight win, as they took down the Chiefs last week in a 16-13 stunner. On the other hand, the Cowboys lost a head-scratcher to the Vikings at home on Sunday Night Football.
Good luck and enjoy the game! I've got a best bet on this game below that'll hopefully build your bankroll. Let's get into the details.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $200 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Token expires 1/11/26. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 1/4/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
Online sportsbooks opened this line at Dallas -1.5 on the look-ahead last week. Oddly enough, some early money has come in on the Cowboys, so much so that some shops are now dealing Dallas -2.5. Folks may wonder why a team with a losing record is favored over a 10-4 squad, but that's just business as usual in the crazy world known as the NFL.
As for the game total, there's been a small appetite for the Over in the market so far. The line opened at 48.5, and most shops are now offering 49.5. As always, be sure to shop around for the best price before pulling the trigger on any bet.
Los Angeles is 10-4 overall this season and a solid 4-2 on the highway. Justin Herbert has been as gritty as ever, as he's thrown for 3191 yards and 23 TDs even with a Mash unit offensive line. No one can ever question the former Oregon Duck's toughness or willingness to win.
Herbert has a nice arsenal of weapons to throw to this season. Ladd McConkey leads the team in receiving yardage, veteran Keenan Allen leads the team in receptions, and Quentin Johnston leads the team in TD receptions. This is the type of depth that can be problematic for opposing defenses.
The Chargers' defense is blessed with a stout secondary, and that's the main reason why this squad ranks 5th in yards per pass allowed. That being said, Los Angeles has been susceptible to being gashed by opposing RBs at times.
Dallas's hopes for a playoff spot are pretty much nonexistent. They're basically playing for pride at this point after laying back-to-back eggs in primetime against Detroit and Minnesota. That being said, this offense is still a force to be reckoned with.
Dak Prescott has thrown for 3931 yards and 26 TDs to lead this unit. He's got two of the best wideouts in the business in George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. Pickens has had two quiet games in a row, so look for Dak to get him involved early here against the Bolts.
The Cowboys' defense improved a lot after Jerry Jones brought in Logan Wilson and Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline. However, this is a unit that's given up 78 points over the last two weeks. That's a concern to say the least.
LAC vs DAL: 1:00 PM ET on Sunday, December 21
We faded Dallas last week against Minnesota, and it paid off handsomely. It may sound crazy, but I think the Cowboys will show well this week, even though their playoff chances are down to about 0.001%. Dak Prescott already made a comment about showing up and competing because it's their job.
My main reason for the play, though, has to do with the Chargers. This is a terrible spot for them, both from a travel standpoint and an emotional standpoint. Los Angeles just beat their archrival Chiefs at Kansas City, and now they have to travel to Big D in a back-to-back roadie spot.
The Bolts have struggled playing games all year long when they head east for early start times, and that's just what they're up against here. Jim Harbaugh's bunch is 1-4 ATS this season when playing in the Central or Eastern time zones. This Noon Central Time game is going to feel like 10 AM to them. Give me Dallas to win this one by at least a field goal. How Bout Dem Cowboys?