NFL Betting Preview: New England Patriots at San Diego Chargers

Added on Oct 20, 2010 by Jack Thurman in

NFL

Big day of NFL betting action on Sunday and in this writeup we’ll take a look at an AFC matchup between the New England Patriots who’ll be heading to the West Coast for the only time during the regular season as they take on the San Diego Chargers. The Patriots are in second of the AFC East with a 4-1 record, with the New York Jets in first with a 5-1 mark. San Diego has underachieved to date and are currently one of three teams in the AFC West at 2-4.

New England Patriots at San Diego Chargers
October 24, 2010 1:15 PM Pacific

There’s never any shortage of strange things happening in the NFL and the fact that the San Diego Chargers are 2-4 on the season is one of them. We’ll start with the fact that based on the talent on hand and the overall weakness of the AFC West they should be running away with the division. Then consider the fact that in virtually every significant team statistical ranking the Chargers are not only decent, but outstanding. They currently rank #1 with 432 yards per game, #5 in scoring offense at 26.2 PPG and were that not enough are also #1 in total defense allowing 255.2 yards per game. San Diego has 58 more first downs than their opponents and has outgained them by 1,165 yards. Quarterback Phillip Rivers is having an excellent campaign with 2,008 yards and 12 TDs. But despite all of this statistical excellence, the Chargers have been the victim of bad luck which has resulted in an 0-4 mark away from home. At home, they’re 2-0 with a pair of easy victories.

While the disparity between the Chargers’ statistical prowess and W/L record is strange, the fact that they’ve struggled in the first part of the season isn’t. For some reason, San Diego lways started slow and finished strong under Norv Turner. During his run as head coach, the Chargers are 26-8 SU and 21-12-1 ATS from Game 6 on. Since 2008, they’re 3-7 SU/ATS in October but we look for the Chargers to start their yearly turnaround here.

New England has plenty of liabilities notwithstanding their 4-1 record. They’ve got a weak rushing game, a wide receiving corps in a state of transition with the departure of Randy Moss and the return of Deion Branch and a young, rebuilding defense. Tom Brady is still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and Bill Belichick a top notch coach but that can’t negate the fact that there are plenty of issues on both sides of the ball. The Pats’ secondary has been their biggest weakness this year and Rivers is the best quarterback they’ve faced yet. Chargers roll as Rivers has a big day.

Bet San Diego Chargers -3 over New England Patriots
Bet San Diego/New England Over 47