# Rams vs. Chargers Preseason Preview
The Los Angeles Chargers are expected to give Justin Herbert and several starters a small amount of work in Thursday’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams. On the surface, that might make the Chargers look like the obvious side.
But preseason betting requires looking beyond which team has the better starting lineup.
With the Rams currently getting four points, the more important question is what happens after the starters leave the field.
## Chargers Starters Should See Limited Work
Jim Harbaugh plans to play Herbert and several Chargers starters, but their workload is expected to be limited.
That could amount to only a possession or two.
There is certainly an early-game advantage to having Herbert on the field. But if the Chargers’ starters are gone after a handful of plays, their impact represents only a small portion of a 60-minute game.
That’s where the preseason handicap starts to change.
## Rams Have a Meaningful Quarterback Competition
The Rams still have something important to evaluate behind Matthew Stafford.
Sean McVay has not settled the backup quarterback situation, with Stetson Bennett and Ty Simpson competing for position behind Stafford.
Simpson will play Thursday, while McVay is still determining exactly how he will distribute the remaining quarterback reps.
That competition matters.
Instead of simply trying to survive the preseason finale and get to Week 1 healthy, the Rams have quarterbacks fighting for their position on the depth chart.
Those are meaningful snaps.
## Don’t Overvalue Starting-Lineup News
One of the biggest traps in NFL preseason betting is seeing that a team’s starters will play and immediately assuming that team has the advantage.
The number of snaps matters.
If Herbert plays six or eight snaps and leaves, the Chargers could have their starting quarterback on the field for less than 10 percent of the game.
The remaining three-plus quarters become a completely different handicap.
Backup quarterback quality, depth, roster competition and which coaching staff needs meaningful evaluation reps can become more important than which team wins the first possession.
## Why Rams +4 Is Interesting
This is where getting four points with the Rams becomes attractive.
The Chargers should have an advantage while Herbert is on the field. The question is whether that short stretch warrants laying four points over an entire game.
The Rams should spend significantly more time evaluating quarterbacks who have something to prove.
If Bennett and Simpson receive substantial work, Los Angeles should have competitive quarterback play well after Herbert and the Chargers’ primary starters have finished for the night.
Getting more than a field goal gives the Rams additional value if this turns into the type of close, backup-driven game we frequently see during the preseason.
## The Bottom Line
The Chargers playing their starters makes for a good headline, but it doesn’t automatically make them the right side.
We’re not betting the first possession. We’re betting four quarters.
Once Herbert and the Chargers starters leave, the Rams’ quarterback competition and evaluation needs become increasingly important.
At the current number, the value appears to be with the underdog.
**Lean: Rams +4**