NFL Saturday: Chargers vs. Patriots Expert picks, predictions, and best player props break game one of a jam-packed Saturday of NFL action!
As the NFL playoff picture sharpens into focus, Saturday delivers three games with stakes as high as the December skies. At 1 p.m. EST, the Los Angeles Chargers face the New England Patriots in a must-win battle to keep postseason hopes alive. By 4:30 p.m., the Denver Broncos travel to Cincinnati, where the Bengals, teetering on the edge, desperately need a victory to stay in the playoff hunt while the Broncos feel their own urgency mounting. The day ends under the bright lights of Los Angeles as the Arizona Cardinals, with nothing to lose, aim to play spoiler against the Rams.
It’s another wild day of NFL action in a week, which will see games played on four of seven days. Let’s jump into our NFL Saturday: Chargers vs. Patriots Expert picks, predictions, and best player props!
Chargers vs. Patriots Betting Preview
All Chargers vs. Patriots odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct on Friday, Dec. 27.
- Spread: Chargers -5.5
- Moneyline: Chargers -250| Patriots +215
- Over/Under: 42.5
- Game Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Gillette Stadium| Foxborough, MA
- Predicted Weather at Kick: 41 degrees, Cloudy, 5 MPH Wind
- How to Watch: NFL Network
Chargers vs. Patriots Expert Picks, Predictions, and Best Player Prop Bets
Game one of this Saturday NFL triple-header has the Chargers heading to New England with a playoff berth within reach, favored by 5.5 points against the struggling Patriots. At 3-12, the Patriots are riding a five-game losing streak, but those numbers don’t tell the entire story. Three defeats were one-score games, including a narrow loss to Buffalo last week.
For Los Angeles, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Yet their recent victories—each decided by a single score—highlight a team that walks a razor-thin edge. Adding to the challenge, the Chargers will be without key contributors in the run game, with Gus Edwards ruled out and J.K. Dobbins likely limited in his return from injured reserve. A depleted offensive line compounds the difficulty of establishing the ground attack.
Then there’s the setting: a cross-country trip to play an early kickoff in the cold December air. It’s a tall order for any team, no matter their record or playoff aspirations.
As promising as Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ offense can be, this feels like a game where the Patriots keep it close. With points on the table, I’m backing the home underdogs.
Rhamondre Stevenson – RB, Patriots – Over 42.5 Rushing Yards (-115)
With Antonio Gibson back in the lineup, you might think the Patriots would ease Rhamondre Stevenson’s workload. But in a season filled with ups and downs, Stevenson remains the steady heartbeat of New England’s offense—and that’s unlikely to change against the Chargers.
Attempting to tackle Rhamondre Stevenson when the temps dip into single digits cannot be an enjoyable experience. pic.twitter.com/4UVGu6isNd
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) December 22, 2024
The matchup offers a glimmer of hope for the Patriots. While Los Angeles has proven formidable against the pass, their rush defense has been average at best. For a team guided by rookie quarterback Drake Maye, the game plan seems simple: lean on Stevenson to shoulder the load and keep Maye from being overwhelmed by the Chargers’ pass rush.
This is the kind of game where Stevenson’s role becomes pivotal. With the spread at just 5.5 points, the Patriots aren’t likely to abandon their identity or be forced into a pass-heavy approach. Instead, expect a heavy dose of Stevenson to control the tempo, keep the chains moving, and give the rookie quarterback the breathing room he’ll need.
Kendrick Bourne – WR, Patriots – Over 21.5 Receiving Yards (-115)
I looked at both the Hunter Henry and Demario Douglas props, but my eye was drawn to how low the number on Kendrick Bourne is. Bourne has quietly emerged as Drake Maye’s most reliable wide receiver in a turbulent season for the 3-12 Patriots. For a team searching for consistency, Bourne has provided just that, catching 21 of 24 targets in his last six games.
He’s gone over this number in five of his previous six games. This week’s matchup presents another opportunity for Bourne to shine, particularly if the Patriots find themselves playing from behind. Bourne’s average yard per catch is over 11.5 yards in five of his last eight games. With that average, two catches put him over this total.
Kendrick Bourne is good. pic.twitter.com/49hwPIjFlP
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) December 1, 2024
Before last week’s modest 18-yard showing, Bourne had surpassed this receiving yardage total in five consecutive games. While Maye has developed a connection with tight end Hunter Henry, who leads the Patriots in receiving, Bourne has also turned into a bit of a security blanket for Maye. If the Chargers key on Douglas and Henry, things could open up for Bourne on Saturday afternoon.
Best Bets:
- Patriots +5.5
- Rhamondre Stevenson OVER 42.5 Rushing Yards (-115)
- Kendrick Bourne OVER 21.5 Receiving Yards (-115)
