The Tampa Bay Buccaneers head west in Week 15 to take on the 8-5 Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. The Buccaneers will be trying to stretch their winning streak to four games, in the process holding tight to their slim lead in the NFC South. To find out how to watch, listen and livestream the game, click here.
Some of the analysts studying Sunday's game in Los Angeles are worried about the status of rookie running back; one even bases his pick of the Chargers on that issue but would otherwise have taken the Buccaneers. Others note that Los Angeles also has injury issues with running back JK Dobbins (on injured reserve), quarterback Justin Herbert and wide receiver Ladd McConkey. Another points out that both the Buccaneers and Chargers have been in nearly every game to the end, saying they "annoyingly hang around for 60 minutes." That sentiment probably explains why almost every score prediction has the game being decided by just a few points.
Bill Bender of The Sporting News thinks the ground game will be the deciding factor, writing:
"The Chargers have scored 17 points each of the past two weeks, and they have averaged 77.6 rushing yards per game over the past three weeks. JK Dobbins' absence has clearly impacted the offense. Tampa Bay has won three in a row with a running game that averages 181.7 rushing yards per game. That will be the difference."
The Buccaneers are 3.0-point underdogs on the road and most experts foresee a fight to the finish. The experts are split but lean somewhat towards the home team. Here's what some of them are saying:
NFL.com – One of five analysts sides with the Buccaneers
ESPN.com – 11 analysts make their picks and it's a narrow 6-5 edge for the Chargers
CBSSports.com – Pete Prisco sees the L.A. defense getting the best of the matchup with Baker Mayfield
USA Today – The Bucs get only one of four expert picks, but all score predictions are very close
Bleacher Report – Eight experts pick against the spread and six of them go with Tampa Bay
Pro Football Talk – Mike Florio and Chris Simms call it a "coin-flip game," but both go with L.A.
Sports Illustrated – It's an even split among six analysts
Sporting News – Bill Bender sides with the Bucs in a close one
