After winning the first three games of the season, the Chargers have been inconsistent. They’re 2-3 with losses to the Colts, Commanders and Giants.
This week’s matchup against the Titans should be an easy one. Tennessee hosts the contest with a 1-7 record this year. Its only win came against the Cardinals.
Los Angeles is a 9.5-point favorite and -535 on the moneyline, while Tennessee is +400 on DraftKings Sportsbook. The game total is set at 43.5 points.
Here are my favorite player props for this Week 9 NFL game between the Chargers and Titans.
Chargers vs. Titans Best Prop Bets
Ladd McConkey over 59.5 receiving yards (-112)
Remember when Quentin Johnston emerged as the Chargers’ No. 1 receiver? Yeah, that’s in the past. Ladd McConkey has taken over as the top option as expected midway through the season.
McConkey is up to 468 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns and 43 receptions, which ranks second, third and second on the team. Over the last three weeks, McConkey has recorded at least 67 yards, six receptions and nine targets. While one of those games was against Miami, the other two were against Indianapolis and Minnesota.
It took some time, but McConkey looks like his rookie-year self again. He should remain Justin Herbert’s top option against a Titans’ team that’s actively tanking. The Titans are 1-7 with no expectations of winning this year.
Tyjae Spears over 45.5 rushing + receiving yards (-111)
The Tennessee backfield is still a tandem between Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. Pollard is the lead back, and his role expanded with Spears injured to start the season. Now that Spears is back, the split is becoming more noticeable.
Spears had a season-high nine carries last week compared to Pollard’s 11. Taking Spears’ rushing line is worth it at 25.5 because it seems like he’ll keep getting consistent carries after last week’s solid performance.
I prefer taking the 45.5 rushing + receiving line because Spears is often included in the pass game. He’s recorded at least three receptions in three straight games with at least 18 receiving yards in each.
The Chargers will likely play with a lead, which means Spears will be on the field more often for passing plays.
Tony Pollard under 39.5 rushing yards (-109)
After Spears ran for 59 yards and a touchdown on nine carries in Week 8, it seemed that Pollard could be losing touches. Spears is younger and could be the team’s future running back if he continues to have good performances.
That’s one reason to stay away from Pollard, but the other is because of the game script. Los Angeles should be leading most of the game, which means Tennessee should pass more often. Spears is the better pass catcher of the two running backs, meaning he’ll be on the field more often.
It’s a low total for Pollard, but he had 44 on 11 carries in Week 8, 18 on six carries in Week 7, and 34 on 10 carries in Week 6. All of these games were with Spears in the lineup.