Posted on
1/4/2008 4:39:22 PM
NFL Betting Trends - Titans at Chargers
By BetUS Staff
The San Diego Chargers are rolling heading into the playoffs once again, and NFL betting fans are watching closely. Judging by how last year turned out for San Diego, their backers may be only quietly confident this time around. The Chargers really want another shot at New England, but to get it they’ll first have to get through the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
San Diego ended the season on a six-game winning streak that saw them post an 11-5 record. That six-game streak included a 23-17 win overtime win against Tennessee in Week 14 as a 1.5-point favorite. The Chargers were once again led by running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who turned it up a notch late in the season to capture his second straight rushing title. Tomlinson’s numbers of 1474 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns were down from his astronomical stats from last season, but he’s still LT and can score every time he touches the ball.
The Chargers’ biggest weakness on offense may be quarterback Philip Rivers. With Rivers you’re never sure what you’re going to get. One week he might throw three touchdowns, then the next he’ll have three turnovers. On the season, Rivers passed for 3152 yards with 21 touchdowns and 15 interceptions and he also fumbled 11 times. To keep Rivers locked in this week, Antonio Gates will have to find plenty of openings. Gates put up his usual stellar numbers from the tight end position with 75 receptions for 984 yards and nine touchdowns.
On defense the Chargers can be ferocious, but they also looked highly beatable at times this season. San Diego allowed 17.8 points and 320.3 yards per game. The Chargers’ defense has a number of playmakers, including sack machine Shawne Merriman and cornerback Antonio Cromartie who led the league with 10 interceptions.
The Titans will have their work cut out for them this week with a number of injuries taking their toll late in the season. Titans’ quarterback Vince Young injured his quad in Tennessee’s 16-10 win over Indianapolis last week and it could hamper him on Sunday. Young is listed as questionable on the injury report, but right now all signs point to him playing this weekend.
One Titan that won’t suit up on Sunday is tight end Bo Scaife. The Titans’ third-leading receiver is done for the season after suffering a lacerated liver suffered on a punishing hit last week. Another injury concern for Tennessee is defensive MVP Albert Haynesworth. For the past couple of months Haynesworth has been battling a nagging hamstring injury. He played through the pain last week and will likely do the same this week, meaning he won’t be 100 percent.
When San Diego and Tennessee met up back in Week 14 both teams relied heavily on the running game. Tomlinson led San Diego with 146 yards rushing as well as both a touchdown run and a TD catch, while Titans’ back LenDale White rushed for 113 yards on 30 carries with a TD.
The Chargers are listed as a 9.5-point favorite on the NFL odds. Kickoff is 4:30 pm ET on Sunday, with CBS handling the coverage.
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