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Rams vs. Chargers Prediction, Picks & Best Bets: NFL Preseason Week 3 Odds

Our Rams vs. Chargers prediction breaks down why the Rams should post a win against their cross-town rivals on Thursday night.

Matt MacKay

Last updated: August 27, 2026 10:48 AM EDT • 3 min read

Pictured: Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and his teammates run onto the field as we make our best Rams vs. Chargers prediction. Photo by Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

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My best Rams vs. Chargers prediction targets Sean McVay's edge in the preseason in tonight's cross-town rivalry game.

The Chargers will deploy QB Justin Herbert and their starters for a few reps, while McVay plans to rest his starters in favor of backups for the entirety of this matchup. So far, the Rams have been dominant with No. 13 overall pick QB Ty Simpson under center.

In this betting preview, I'll analyze why the Rams should continue to be bet on as a +3.5-point underdog. Tonight's kickoff is set for 10 p.m. ET from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., airing on NFL Network.

🏈 Rams vs. Chargers prediction: NFL preseason Week 3

See the latest NFL odds and our experts' NFL picks for every game this season.

💰 Pick	⚖️ Units	🧠 Why I bet this
Rams +3.5 (-105 via FanDuel)	1u → 0.95u	Rams are 2-0 in the preseason, outscoring opponents 54-12.
Under 38.5 (-114 via Caesars)	1u → 0.87u	Rams have limited opponents to 12 total points.

Total wagered: 2 units | Max profit: 1.82 units

💰 Rams vs. Chargers best bet

Rams +3.5 (-105)

The Rams have not shown any reason to fade them in either of their previous preseason games. They've won outright as an underdog twice, despite never playing Matthew Stafford or the majority of their top skill-position players.

Simpson is the key factor in this bet. The rookie signal-caller went 21-of-25 for 190 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Chiefs in Week 1, while Stetson Bennett carried the offense in Week 2, finishing 19-of-31 for 181 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Trey Lance and DJ Uiagalelei have been less than stellar. The Chargers' QB2 and QB3 have not logged multiple touchdowns while being held to under 100 passing yards each in their Week 2 loss to the 49ers.

Score prediction: Rams 24, Chargers 13

🚀 Rams vs. Chargers same-game parlay

We've talked about the Rams as a +3.5-point underdog in their own stadium (even if it's also the Chargers' stadium). Simpson and Bennett both have more talent than the Chargers' backups, who are assimilating to a new system under OC Mike McDaniel.

The Rams' defense has been elite, holding the Chiefs and Saints without a touchdown. Under 38.5 is a strong second leg in this SGP for a 0.50 unit play at +254 odds.

💵 Rams vs. Chargers SGP picks

Rams +3.5 (-113)
Under 38.5 (-114)

Best odds: +254 via Caesars (0.5u → 1.27u)

All NFL picks, including SGPs, have been tracked since Aug. 13.

💵 My betting record for NFL picks

All NFL picks, including SGPs, have been tracked since Aug. 22.

Bet type	Record	Net profit	ROI
Overall	1-1	-0.05 units ❌	-2.4% ❌
Game picks	1-1	-0.05 units ❌	-2.4% ❌
Player props	0-0	+0 units ✅	0% ✅
Parlays	0-1	-0.50 units ❌	-100% ❌

💡 How I'm betting Rams vs. Chargers: NFL preseason strategy

Follow all of our NFL analysis and betting advice for the 2026 NFL season.

I'm going to finish the NFL preseason with 2.5 units across three bets in tonight's Rams vs. Chargers game. A one unit play on the Rams +3.5 is my best bet, as McVay's team has yet to show any weaknesses.

Then, it's a one unit play on Under 38.5. We're through a key number here and the Rams have not allowed a touchdown in two consecutive games played.

A 0.50 unit is reserved for a +254 SGP on these two plays, which will net just over 1 unit of profit. If all three bets win, we collect 2.89 units of profit.

📊 Rams vs. Chargers odds: NFL preseason Week 3

Our live Rams vs. Chargers odds update in real time.

🚑 Rams vs. Chargers latest injuries

🌤️ 49ers vs. Raiders weather: Thursday, 10 p.m. ET

This game will be played indoors at SoFi Stadium, so weather won't be a factor for Rams vs. Chargers on Thursday.

📺 How to watch Rams vs. Chargers: NFL preseason Week 3

Date: Thursday, Aug. 27
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, Calif.)
TV: NFL Network

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Written By:
Matt MacKay

Matt MacKay has handicapped golf, the NFL, NCAAF, and NHL since joining the sports betting industry as a writer in 2020. He’s worked for several prominent sites, recently expanding his coverage to include sports betting news and the regulatory industry. Bringing a background in communications and writing, earning a Masters Degree in Organizational Communication from Ohio University, Matt has co-hosted a fantasy football and sports betting podcast, while continuously refining his handicapping methods. This includes identifying recent trends, head-to-head statistics, and comparing individual and team strengths and weaknesses to accurately predict the outcome in certain betting markets before a game or event. He’s a daily bettor and tends to wager on FanDuel, with DraftKings and Hard Rock Bet as preferred sports betting app alternatives. An avid researcher, writer, editor, and podcaster, Matt is eager to dig into matchups to offer readers and subscribers value on his picks. He’s a big proponent of building bankroll by avoiding poor betting habits and tendencies, like chasing losses, placing too many wagers, and managing bankroll. His worst beats to date both came on two separate NFL parlays, losing due to Tyreek Hill and A.J. Brown dropping passes. NRFIs have quickly become one of Matt’s favorite betting markets, recently diving into MLB game props.