An All Los Angeles Super Bowl (Chargers vs Rams) Pays 10-1
- Chargers, Rams thriving since relocating to Los Angeles
- Rams opened among Super Bowl favorites, but have struggled during second half of campaign
- Chargers have overcome slow start to bring AFC West title within reach
It has been just three short seasons since the NFL returned to Los Angeles; first with the relocation of the Rams from St. Louis in time for the 2016 NFL season, and followed a year later by the Los Angeles Chargers’ move from their long-time home in San Diego.
Both squads have thrived in their recent second stints in the Los Angeles area.
The 11-3 Rams have already clinched the NFC West divisional crown, while the 11-3 Chargers are assured of at least a wild card berth, and enter Week 16 deadlocked with the Kansas City in the battle for first place in the AFC West.
That has raised the possibility of this year’s Super Bowl matchup being an all-Los Angeles affair, with the odds of the Chargers and Rams meeting in Super Bowl 53 pegged at an intriguing +1000.
Odds Los Angeles Rams Play The Los Angeles Chargers in Super Bowl 53
| Will The Los Angeles Rams play The Los Angeles Chargers in Super Bowl 53? | Odds |
|---|---|
| Yes | +1000 |
| No | -5000 |
Odds taken 12/20.
Rams Among Super Bowl Favorites Since Pre-Season
The Rams have been perched among the favorites on the Super Bowl odds since the offseason, and opened their campaign trailing only the New England Patriots as a +850 bet.
The team has largely fulfilled the promise, climbing to the top of the NFL futures during a 7-0 SU start, and currently sit as the No. 2 seed in the NFC, one game up on the revitalized Chicago Bears.
— Ramblin' Fan (@RamblinFan) December 18, 2018
But cracks have shown in the Rams armor in recent weeks, with the squad going 3-3 SU over their past six, while going a dismal 2-7-2 ATS over their past 11 outings.
Fortunately, the Rams enjoy a favorable schedule to close the season, visiting the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16 as massive 14-point chalk before hosting the San Francisco 49ers in their season finale.
Those matchups should give the Rams a clear path to a first-round bye, taking them one step closer to their first Super Bowl berth since 2001.
Chargers a Surprise Story in 2018
Pegged as a lengthy +2000 pre-season bet on the Super Bowl odds, the Chargers have emerged as one of the surprise stories of the season since overcoming a shaky 1-2 SU start.
The team has posted several character wins during its current 10-1 SU run, including outright wins as a betting underdog in clashes with Cleveland, Seattle, Pittsburgh, and the Chiefs, and enter Week 16 in a dead heat with Kansas City atop the AFC West standings.
It took awhile, but the Chargers have finally been rewarded on the Super Bowl odds, where they currently sit at +750. But obstacles abound in the Chargers’ bid to make their first Super Sunday appearance since 1994.
How the Chargers are preparing for Ravens QB Lamar Jackson #Chargers https://t.co/2oJyE9Nag3
— LA Chargers Talk (@Chargers_TT) December 19, 2018
The Chargers face a desperate opponent this weekend in the Baltimore Ravens, who have won four of five to climb back into AFC wild card contention, and have also taken six of nine from the Chargers.
The division rival Denver Broncos would also like nothing better than to complicate the Chargers playoff aspirations when they host Los Angles in Week 17.
Despite Regular-Season Success, Chargers Face Tough Playoff Road
Without a first-round bye, the Chargers will be forced to start the playoffs on the road, with the Patriots or Steelers currently positioned as likely opponents.
While the Chargers have proven capable of topping any opponent this season, a victory on Wild Card Weekend could be rewarded with a visit to Kansas City, where they needed to mount a stunning fourth-quarter comeback to claim a 29-28 win last week on Thursday Night Football.
Chiefs and Chargers can meet again in the 2019 NFL playoffs. Yes please! – SB Nation https://t.co/KchzLRGEHi pic.twitter.com/bcEFRacwiz
— Media Beast (@Mediabeast3) December 14, 2018
AFC West Divisional Title Key to Chargers’ Super Bowl Hopes
Getting past the Chiefs in the race for the AFC West title would certainly flip the playoff script for the Chargers, and boost the chances of facing the crosstown rival Rams in Super Bowl 53.
But with Kansas City owning a combined 13-3 SU record in their past 16 against its final two opponents, Seattle and Oakland, the -5000 odds on the NFL’s two Los Angeles teams not clashing on Super Sunday looks like a safe bet.
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
