Giants vs. Chargers Week 14 Picks: New York To Keep It Close On the Road

Mike Randle

Last Updated: December 10, 2021 1:42 PM EST • 2 min 58 sec read. Twitter link Google News Link

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 05: Saquon Barkley #26 and Darius Slayton #86 of the New York Giants walk off the field after the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 05, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Mark Brown/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Mark Brown / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Can Los Angeles overcome a shorthanded roster to continue towards the playoffs? We look into all the betting angles with our Chargers and Giants picks.

The New York Giants travel to Los Angeles for their third road game in the past four weeks. New York is trying to snap a three-game road losing, with just one road win on the season. New York is 6-6 overall against the spread, including 3-3 in road games.

The Los Angeles Chargers are 7-5 entering Week 14 and are the fifth seed in the AFC Playoff race. They earned a huge road win at Cincinnati last week, pushing them ahead of the Bengals. Los Angeles is 6-6 ATS including just 2-4 at home.

Here are my picks and predictions for the NFL Week 14 matchup between the Giants and Chargers (odds via DraftKings; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Giants vs. Chargers Game Info

Date/Time: Sunday, Dec. 12, 4:05 p.m. ETTV: FOXLocation: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CAWeather: Indoors

Giants vs. Chargers Odds Analysis

This line has risen throughout the week, opening as Los Angeles -6 and climbing as high as -10.5. You can now find anywhere between -9 and -10 depending on which sportsbook you shop at. 74% of bets are on the Giants according to the Sportsbook Review Consensus.

The Over/Under is currently set at 43. It opened at 46.5 and it has been significantly downgraded since. 66% of the money is currently on the Under.

Giants vs. Chargers Picks

Giants +9.5 (-110) ???Under 43 (-110) ???

Giants vs. Chargers Predictions

Giants +9.5 (-110)

Both teams enter this game with severe injury concerns. New York will be without quarterback Daniel Jones who is still recovering from a neck injury, but four key players returned to practice on Thursday, giving hope to a Giants roster recently decimated by injuries.

Wide receivers Sterling Shepard (quad), Kenny Golladay (ribs), and Kadarius Toney (oblique) all could return Sunday against Los Angeles. That would be a huge boost to either Mike Glennon or backup Jake Fromm, who are both preparing to play on Sunday. As of Thursday night, Glennon was progressing through the concussion protocol and there was growing optimism of his availability. This line ballooned based on Fromm at quarterback, a good reason to take the points with New York.

The Giants defense has been one of the NFL's strongest units against the pass. New York ranks eighth in pass defense DVOA and 13th overall. They will provide a stiff test against a Los Angeles passing attack that will likely be without wide receivers Keenan Allen and possibly Mike Williams due to COVID protocols. In addition, the Chargers also placed starting cornerback Chris Harris Jr. on the COVID list as well — although head coach Brandon Staley said he is trending towards coming off the list. With a potentially healthy Giants receiving core, the loss of Harris would be a huge advantage for New York.

The Chargers have demonstrated a consistent ability to keep games close. Last week’s 41-22 win at Cincinnati was only the second game this year they won by more than seven points. With COVID exacerbating personnel issues, a returning wide receiver core, and a consistently strong Giants defense, I’m grabbing the underdog on the road.

Under 43 (-110)

The Giants defense is the most reliable unit in this game, tallying nine Unders in their 12 contests, and seven Unders in their past ten games. New York has also secured eight Unders in their 11 games as an underdog this season, which certainly fits this matchup.

The Chargers have been able to post big point totals almost every week, averaging 31.7 points (third-most) over the past three weeks. They have also averaged 29.5 points per game at home, but have never faced the challenge of a strong pass defense without their two best wide receivers. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams have accounted for 46.8% of the team’s targets, 44.8% of the team’s receptions, and over 50.2% of the team’s receiving yards.

Both teams play at a quick pace, but the absence of Giants quarterback Daniel Jones and the Chargers playmakers on offense will force a slower and more deliberate tempo.

If Los Angeles was at full strength, this number would be closer to the opening value of 47 points. With Mike Glennon under center, the Giants played at a much slower pace last week at Miami. I expect a repeat performance at Los Angeles, especially if Jake Fromm starts. I’m taking the Under as a contrarian play with a high-scoring Los Angeles team.

SEE ALSO: All picks and odds. Be sure to check out SportsbookReview.com’s community forums and betting tools.

Giants-Chargers picks made on 12/10/2021 at 6:02 p.m ET