Los Angeles Chargers vs. Cincinnati Bengals open thread

Like last week, the Los Angeles Chargers are taking on an AFC North opponent without their star running back Melvin Gordon. Unlike last week, the Chargers are big favorites. The Cincinnati Bengals without their best players are not exactly the Pittsburgh Steelers at home, so the Chargers should have a much easier time than they did last Sunday night.

The Chargers are 15.5-point favorites as they go up against a Bengals team that does not have its starting quarterback, Andy Dalton, or its best offensive player, A.J. Green. The Chargers, meanwhile, are remarkably healthy not just for them but for any NFL team in the second week of December. Gordon is out, but could probably play if necessary. Hunter Henry remains out, but he has not been part of the team all season. And on defense, a few linemen are out, but the most important ones, Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa, are healthy.

The Chargers are currently 9-3 and there is no reason that shouldn’t improve to 10-3 by the end of the afternoon.