Colts vs. Chargers Prediction: Indianapolis Covers The Spread Against Los Angeles In 2019 NFL Week 1

The Indianapolis Colts became one of the biggest underdogs in Week 1 of the 2019 NFL season when Andrew Luck announced his retirement. The point spread indicates that the Los Angeles Chargers will have no problem winning their home opener, though the contest could turn out to be one of Sunday’s most entertaining matchups.

L.A. is favored by 6.5 points at home, according to the latest betting line at OddsShark. The point spread was around a field goal before Jacoby Brissett became Indianapolis’ starting quarterback. The total has dropped a few points, falling to 44.5

Indianapolis is no longer included in the AFC’s second tier of Super Bowl contenders with Los Angeles. That’s not to stay the Colts can’t challenge teams like the Chargers, who have high expectations heading into the new season.

Jacoby Brissett was set up to fail when he became Indianapolis’ starter just days after joining the team in 2017, playing behind maybe the NFL’s worst offensive line. The unit has since turned into one of the league’s best. Brissett can certainly be a competent signal caller in Frank Reich’s offense.

The Chargers are going to be without a few important players that were supposed to be in uniform to start the year. All-Pro safety Derwin James will miss most of the regular season with a foot injury. The absence of starting left tackle Russell Okung hurts an already shaky offensive line. Running back Melvin Gordon is continuing his holdout as he seeks a new contract.

Los Angeles always seems to enter the season with high hopes, only to get off to a slow start. The Chargers are 1-5 against the spread in their last six September games, per OddsShark. They have suffered three straight Week 1 losses with five losses in their last six season openers.

No one in the NFL has less of a home-field advantage than the Chargers. Los Angeles had more road wins than home victories in 2018. Only the Arizona Cardinals and Oakland Raiders, who had the league’s two worst records, were beaten by more than five points in a visit to Dignity Health Sports Park.

Philip Rivers and the Chargers should find a way to beat a team that lost its star quarterback not too long ago, but 6.5 points are too many to lay against Indianapolis.

Prediction Against The Spread: Los Angeles over Indianapolis, 26-24