The Washington Commanders (2-2) and Los Angeles Chargers (3-1) meet in Week 5 of the NFL season on Sunday, October 5. Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. ET from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. The game will broadcast on FOX.
The Chargers are 2.5-point favorites over the Commanders on the spread (Chargers -2.5), with the over/under set at 48 total points. Los Angeles is a -155 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Washington is +130 to pull off the upset.
How should bettors approach Commanders-Chargers with the injuries (Jayden Daniels and Joe Alt, to name a few) both teams are dealing with?
Find my Week 5 preview and Commanders vs Chargers prediction for Sunday afternoon below.
Commanders vs Chargers Prediction
- Commanders vs Chargers pick: Commanders Moneyline (+130)
My Chargers vs Commanders best bet is on the Commanders moneyline. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
Commanders vs Chargers Odds
| Commanders Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 +100 | 48 -110o / -110u | +130 |
| Chargers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -120 | 48 -110o / -110u | -155 |
Commanders vs Chargers NFL Week 5 Preview
This game is surrounded by uncertainty because we don't know how healthy Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is going to be in his first game back from a knee injury.
Is Daniels going to be as mobile as he usually is? Questions like that make it difficult to feel strongly about taking either side, but I think the upside in taking the Commanders moneyline is worth it, especially when you consider the Chargers offense might be crippled by offensive line injuries.
The Commanders defense isn't as tough as the Giants defense that the Chargers faced last week. However, the Chargers were incapable of doing anything in a losing effort — that's what happens when you lose two Pro Bowl tackles up front.
The main absence is left tackle Joe Alt, who may be out for the next few weeks, and that may prove to be a major issue for this line that is already without Rashawn Slater.
According to Evan Abrams, Alt has allowed three pressures on 142 pass plays this year (2.1%); the rest of the Chargers' offensive line has allowed 60 pressures on 845 pass plays (7.1%).
Last week, after Alt departed due to injury, Austin Deculus replaced him and allowed six pressures alone.
Mekhi Becton is another question mark for the Chargers. He was out with a concussion last week, and we still don’t know if he will be back. If he's not, it might be a total disaster for Los Angeles.
But even if Becton plays, they will still probably have to move Jamaree Salyer to left tackle.
Commanders vs Chargers Prediction, Betting Analysis
Given the uncertainty surrounding Daniels' status, I expect to see plenty of people taking the Chargers to bounce back.
However, you could also argue that the Chargers' offensive line injuries are just as crucial as Daniels' health status entering this matchup, and we know for a fact that Joe Alt is going to be sidelined for the Chargers.
Justin Herbert has faced 69 dropbacks under pressure this season, the second-most of any QB in the NFL. In the last three weeks, Herbert has completed only 15-of-42 attempts (36%) when passing under pressure, to go along with one touchdown and two interceptions.
The Chargers also don't have much of a home-field advantage.
Pick: Commanders Moneyline (+130)
Spread
I'm not betting either side of the spread in this matchup.
Moneyline
My Chargers vs Commanders betting prediction is on Washington to win outright on the moneyline at +130.
Over/Under
I'm steering clear of the total in this spot.
