Head coach Jim Harbaugh‘s vision of what the Los Angeles Chargers should be includes a bruising running game. 

They already had a dynamic quarterback in Justin Herbert who has already established himself as one of the best in the game.

For both of those things a team needs an offensive line that is efficient and in good working condition. 

This is where the “other” team in LA is finding a stumbling block. Injuries have robbed them of both starting offensive tackles. So they will have to improvise as they play host to the Washington Commanders, who may be getting healthier as they come into their 4:15 PM Eastern time game at SoFi Stadium. 

Pro football betting lines on the Chargers vs Commanders game 

The Chargers are laying a field goal as the home team in the latest numbers coming from BetUS:

Los Angeles Chargers -3 (+100)
Washington Commanders +3 (-120)

Over 47.5 Points -110
Under 47.5 Points -110

Let’s talk about the injury to Joe Alt 

Alt got carried off in the first half of last Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants, and the indication was that he was looking at a high ankle sprain, which is going to keep him out of action for at least a few weeks. 

Alt was a first-round pick out of Notre Dame last year, and was placed at right tackle as a rookie. This season, when Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater went down with a season-ending injury, Alt was moved in to replace him. 

So now, Harbaugh, who was hoping to have two very imposing tackles to lead a powerful offense, has neither. 

What kind of shape does that leave the O-line in?

If guard Mekhi Becton can return from his concussion, which kept him out of last Sunday’s game, it will be in better shape than it could have been. 

Other players on the line have been somewhat less than impressive. Center Bradley Bozeman, for example, is the lowest-graded center by the respected Pro Football Focus. Austin Deculus is not a guy they want to have starting for them.  

Jamaree Salyer is someone they can make use of, as this team does some shuffling of the line. But as of this writing, we were still not sure who would play left tackle. 

Again, this is not what Harbaugh ever imagined. 

Commanders expect Jayden Daniels to return

Last week Washington lost 34-27 to an Atlanta team that had been completely ineffective the week before. Marcus Mariota threw for just 156 yards. And the Commanders held the ball for less than 26 minutes.

QB Jayden Daniels missed the last two games with a knee sprain, but he’s been working out and should be able to come back this week. Mariota, who is also a Heisman Trophy winner, is capable as a backup. But Daniels adds another dimension; that is, if he’s got some mobility.

So who’s going to cover the pro football betting odds between the Chargers and Commanders?

Let’s start out by saying that one can’t ignore the performance of Chargers rookie Omarion Hampton, who ran for 128 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown run.

Having said that, we just don’t like to see an offensive line situation that is not stable. And when you are missing two stud offensive tackles, that doesn’t represent stability. Herbert felt the effect, getting hit twelve times against the Giants. 

This points us away from the Chargers. 

THE PLAY:  WASHINGTON +3 (-120) 

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