As the Los Angeles Chargers open training camp, a figure key to the Chargers 2020 Super Bowl odds is missing. Running back Melvin Gordon III hasn’t reported due to a contract dispute.
A look at the NFL futures at legal sportsbooks shows why Gordon is so important to the Chargers’ prospects. The books have a positive outlook on the Chargers’ season, but the longer Gordon holds out, the more that situation could worsen.
Chargers 2020 Super Bowl odds: Offseason recap
Counting on more production from their “Big 3” on offense — Gordon, quarterback Philip Rivers and wide receiver Keenan Allen — the Chargers went all-in on improving their defense for the 2019 season.
In the draft, the Chargers went defense with five of their seven picks. First pick defensive tackle Jerry Tillery is among the early contenders for the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
The Chargers re-signed safety Adrian Phillips, linebacker Denzel Perryman and nose tackle Brandon Mebane. They also inked linebacker Thomas Davis.
Those defensive upgrades have sportsbooks high on the Chargers 2020 Super Bowl odds.
Chargers 2020 Super Bowl odds: breakdown
Five sportsbooks have the Chargers among a contingent of teams with a decent chance to win Super Bowl LIV. DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, SugarHouse and William Hill are all fairly close to one another. (Unfortunately, there are no legal options to bet in California, yet.)
The current odds on the Chargers to win their first Super Bowl, on Feb. 1, 2020:
- DraftKings +1600
- FanDuel +1600
- PointsBet +1400
- SugarHouse +1600
- William Hill +2000
The same five books are even closer to one another on the odds of the Chargers reaching Super Bowl LIV by winning the AFC championship game:
- DraftKings +750
- FanDuel +750
- PointsBet +750
- SugarHouse +750
- William Hill +1000
Two of the books have odds on whom the Chargers could face if they reach Super Bowl LIV. That could be of particular interest for fans who want to eventually see legal California sports betting.
FanDuel and SugarHouse Super Bowl matchup odds
FanDuel and SugarHouse offer odds on the Chargers facing a total of 10 different NFC opponents in Super Bowl LIV. SugarHouse’s odds are generally better, though FanDuel has posted a line on more teams.
- Chargers vs. Saints: FanDuel +3600, SugarHouse +4000
- Chargers vs. Rams: FanDuel +4000, SugarHouse +5000
- Chargers vs. Eagles: FanDuel +6000, SugarHouse +5000
- Chargers vs. Bears: FanDuel +6500, SugarHouse +6600
- Chargers vs. Packers: FanDuel +7500, SugarHouse +6600
- Chargers vs. Vikings: FanDuel +10000, SugarHouse +10000
- Chargers vs. Cowboys: FanDuel +10000
- Chargers vs. Falcons: FanDuel +10000
- Chargers vs. Seahawks: FanDuel +10000
- Chargers vs. Giants: FanDuel +25000
Other Chargers futures available for fans who hope for sports betting in California in the coming years include winning the AFC West and nabbing a wild card spot.
Chargers AFC West title and wild card futures
While the Chargers aren’t any of these sportsbooks’ favorite to win the AFC West, they are a favorite to earn one of the AFC’s two wild-card berths.
DraftKings has the Chargers at +220 to be a wild card team, while FanDuel has them at +200 to do the same. The Chargers are the favorite in that category at both books.
The books like the Kansas City Chiefs to repeat as AFC West champions in 2019, but they also like the Chargers to be the Chiefs’ greatest challenger. The lines on the Chargers winning the AFC West are:
- DraftKings +180
- FanDuel +165
- PointsBet +225
- SugarHouse +180
- William Hill +200
The expectations of the Chargers in making the playoffs are obvious when the lines on their win total are reviewed.
Chargers win expectancy for the 2019 season
Four of the aforementioned sportsbooks have lines posted on how many regular-season games the Chargers will win in 2019. Three of those four are in agreement on the over/under.
DraftKings, FanDuel and SugarHouse set the over/under on Chargers wins at 9.5.
William Hill is a bit more optimistic about the Chargers for 2019, setting the over/under at 10.
With at least nine wins expected, books are offering corresponding odds on whether the Chargers make the playoffs in some way. DraftKings, FanDuel and PointsBet have lines on whether the Chargers make the playoffs.
Of those three, the best line is at FanDuel on the Chargers missing the playoffs. That line currently sits at +160.
One of the reasons the Chargers are favored to make the playoffs is their pass rush. FanDuel has the Chargers as one of the favorites to lead the NFL in sacks as a team at +1000.
There are many similar prop bets for the upcoming season involving the Chargers’ offense’s Big 3.
Chargers prop bets: Allen, Gordon and Rivers
Rivers is included among the contenders for five different award- or stat-based prop bets. Gordon appears on the list for four and Allen for three.
Both Gordon and Rivers have lines posted on them winning the league’s regular-season MVP award. DraftKings has the best odds on both, with Rivers at +2500 and Gordon at +10000.
All three are included among the players who have odds of winning the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year award on DraftKings and SugarHouse. The odds at both books are identical for all three players.
Rivers is among the middle of the pack to lead the league in passing yards and touchdown passes. SugarHouse has the best line on him tallying the most yards at +1800.
DraftKings and SugarHouse both give him odds of +1600 to record the most touchdown passes. Rivers has odds of +1400 to lead the league in interceptions on DraftKings.
Gordon is near the top of the lists to set the pace for the whole NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns scored on the ground. SugarHouse offers the best lines on both, but DraftKings matches its odds of running for the most touchdowns.
Allen mimics Gordon’s entries on the receiving categories. DraftKings and SugarHouse again lead the pack on the yards, but FanDuel is tops for touchdown catches.
Though the Chargers’ Big 3 are most heavily featured, there are a few other Chargers players who show up for prop bets.
Other Chargers player props: Joey Bosa and Tillery
After a 2018 season riddled by injury, defensive end Joey Bosa is expected to contribute a lot in the coming season. DraftKings and SugarHouse have him among the favorites to lead the league in sacks and win the AP Defensive Player of the Year award at +2000.
Tillery is listed at +4000 by both DraftKings and SugarHouse to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. In a final prop involving the Chargers, head coach Anthony Lynn is +2000 on DraftKings and SugarHouse to be Coach of the Year.
The fate of that and many other bets involving the Chargers in 2019 largely rest on whether the team can work out the contract details with Gordon. If his holdout carries into the regular season, the Chargers 2020 Super Bowl odds will get longer.
