The Chargers‘ 2025 season kicks off this upcoming week, when they travel to Brazil to take on division rivals Chiefs.
Before the 17-game slate begins, we at Chargers Wire want to help you win some money with our best bets for the season, which include player props and awards.
Here are our five best bets to make on the Bolts this year.
Note: All odds are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Chargers to make the playoffs (-130)
I gave out the same bet last year. However, the odds were better at +100. So congrats to you if you placed the bet. While the Chargers are set to face nine playoff teams from last year, their roster and coaching staff give plenty of reasons to believe they’re equipped to be very competitive and make another run. Los Angeles brought in running backs Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris, and guard Mekhi Becton to establish a strong ground game to complement the passing attack with quarterback Justin Herbert and his new crop of weapons. On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter returns most of his key players who contributed to the No. 1 scoring defense in the league in 2024. It won’t be an easy task, but at least nine or ten wins should get them in the postseason.
Jim Harbaugh to win NFL Coach of the Year Award (+1800)
After leading the Chargers to an 11-6 record after going 5-12 the year before, Harbaugh was deserving of the award in his first season as the team’s head coach. The points I mentioned above suggest that the Chargers might not just make the playoffs but could contend for the division title and finally dethrone Kansas City from the top spot. That alone would be worth the award. Given the odds, this is more of a long shot, so you don’t necessarily have to wager a lot. Harbaugh won the NFL Coach of the Year award in 2011 with the 49ers.
Justin Herbert over 22.5 passing touchdowns (-125)
In Herbert’s first season with Greg Roman as the Chargers’ offensive coordinator, he went over this line, finishing with 23 passing touchdowns. He had a strong finish to the 2024 season (averaging 1.5 touchdowns per game in his final 11 games). Heading into the new season with that momentum, improved weapons and a proven track record (exceeding 22.5 touchdowns in all but one season where he played only 13 games), Herbert should surpass this number.
Ladd McConkey over 6.5 receiving touchdowns (+100)
McConkey went over this line in his outstanding rookie campaign, finishing with seven. Heading into his sophomore season, he should be able to maintain his high level of production. The Chargers added Keenan Allen and rookie Tre Harris, which should take some of the attention solely away from McConkey. Couple that with McConkey’s slick separation skills, and he should be sniffing the end zone a handful of times this year.
Omarion Hampton over 850.5 rushing yards (-120)
The former North Carolina product was ultra productive in college, as he amassed eight straight games over 100 rushing yards. Now, as he embarks on his pro career, Hampton is going to eat good in Greg Roman’s offense. With a tantalizing skillset, with speed, power, and the ability to make defenders miss, as well as the addition of Mekhi Becton, Hampton should put up big numbers in his rookie season. Furthermore, Najee Harris is still working his way back from his eye injury, so there will be plenty of volume for Hampton early on. And once he proves his worth, Hampton should become the permanent lead player in the backfield.