Betting Football 24/7
January 28th NFL news ... Betting football 24/7 is the site for fans that love betting on football twenty four hours a day, seven days a week
NFL Week 4 Line Movements
2010-09-30
Currently there are four games on the Week 4 NFL betting board where the point spread has moved by at least one point. Interestingly, for three of these games, the line has moved in the opposite direction of where the money is going. These fall into the category of the “smart money” opportunities that we presented a week ago in which you go against the popular choice and side with the direction that the line is moving.
To check out which teams the public is betting on, check out the Betting Tends page at Sportsbook.com
Last week, the line in the Detroit at Minnesota game jumped from 10 to11 in favor of the Vikings despite the fact that the Lions were the more popular choice. This suggested a play on the Vikings, which proved to be correct.
This week, Houston has dropped from -4 to -3 at Oakland while the Texans have garnered a vast majority of the wagering activity. We’ve seen plenty of success from home underdogs so far this season (13-7-1 ATS, 11-10 SU), plus Oakland is tied for second in the NFL in fewest yards allowed per game at 260.7.
The 1-2 New York Giants have moved from -3 to -4 at home against Chicago even as the 3-0 Bears are getting the lion’s share of the betting. Chicago was lucky to get a win on Monday night against Green Bay, while New York is coming off of a 29-10 loss to Tennessee in which it outgained the Titans by a whopping 471-271 margin. Three turnovers and 11 penalties for 86 yards did not help the Giants cause either.
Finally, San Diego has gone from -9 to -8 at home against Arizona even though most of the betting public is on the Chargers. A key betting trend indicates that the Cardinals have been dominant in the 10th month in recent years: Arizona is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in October games over the last 3 seasons. The average score was Arizona 28.8, Opponent 18.2.
The only game for which the line has moved a full point toward the side that is getting the most action is New England (pick to -1) at Miami.
Head over to Sportsbook.com now for your Week 4 NFL betting pleasure.
ARIZONA CARDINALS 2010 SEASON PREVIEW
2010-07-06
The Cardinals have won back-to-back NFC West Division titles, but a lot changed to their roster since January, most notably at quarterback where Kurt Warner has since retired. That bit of news plus some other key departures has Arizona hopes at a three-peat in danger. Our 32 NFL teams in 32 days season preview series begins with a look at the 2010 Arizona Cardinals, including key stats & strength ratings, plus the outlook for the 2010 season and a prediction against the Sportsbook.com Regular Season Wins prop.
2009 Record:11-7 (+0 ML Units), 9-8 ATS
DIVISION:NFC West
COACH:Ken Whisenhunt, 4th year (31-13 SU, 31-22 ATS)
STADIUM:University of Phoenix Stadium
Odds to win Super Bowl XLV:60 to 1, NFC Title:28 to 1
StatFox Power Rating:17 (#21 of 32)
StatFox Outplay Factor Rating:+0.4 (#17 of 32)
SITUATIONAL RECORDS
Scenario: 2009 ~ 3-YR TOTAL
Straight Up: 11-7 ~ 31-23 (57%)
ATS: 9-8 ~ 31-22 (58%)
Preseason ATS: 0-4 ~ 3-9 (25%)
Home ATS: 5-4 ~ 17-10 (63%)
Road ATS: 4-4 ~ 14-12 (54%)
Division ATS: 3-3 ~ 11-7 (61%)
Conference ATS: 7-7 ~ 22-19 (54%)
Favorite ATS: 3-7 ~ 14-13 (52%)
Underdog ATS: 6-1 ~ 17-9 (65%)
Over-Under: 7-11 ~ 32-22 (59%)
2009 Key Team Stats & NFL Ranks
Scoring Differential: +3.3 (#12 of 32)
Yardage Differential: +0.0 (#17 of 32)
Yards Per Play Differential: +0.33 (#13 of 32)
Yards Per Point Differential: +2.14 (#10 of 32)
Turnover Differential: -7 (#24 of 32)
Total Offense (Yards Per Game): 355.4 (#12 of 32)
Total Defense (Yards Per Game): 355.4 (#23 of 32)
2010 SCHEDULE: Strength - 18.69 (27th toughest of 32)
DATE - OPPONENT, TIME
9/12/10 - at St Louis, 4:15 PM
9/19/10 - at Atlanta, 1:00 PM
9/26/10 - OAKLAND, 4:15 PM
10/3/10 - at San Diego, 4:15 PM
10/10/10 - NEW ORLEANS, 4:05 PM
10/24/10 - at Seattle, 4:05 PM
10/31/10 - TAMPA BAY, 4:15 PM
11/7/10 - at Minnesota, 1:00 PM
11/14/10 - SEATTLE, 4:15 PM
11/21/10 - at Kansas City, 1:00 PM
11/29/10 - SAN FRANCISCO, 8:30 PM
12/5/10 - ST LOUIS, 4:15 PM
12/12/10 - DENVER, 4:15 PM
12/19/10 - at Carolina, 1:00 PM
12/25/10 - DALLAS, 7:30 PM
1/2/11 - at San Francisco, 4:15 PM
Sample StatFox Power Trend for 2010
2010 OUTLOOK
The last time the Cardinals won back-to-back division titles prior to 2008 and ’09, the team was located in St. Louis. However, just when it seemed like the franchise was set to become a consistent playoff contender, the retirement of QB Kurt Warner, trade of WR Anquan Boldin and the loss of LB Karlos Dansby to free agency has taken away a strong core of talent, putting another postseason berth for head coach Ken Whisenhunt’s team in jeopardy…Although Arizona’s offensive numbers were down a bit from its Super Bowl season, the Cardinals still managed to place 14th in the NFL in total offense (344.4 YPG). Now that Warner is gone, replacing his 8,336 yards passing and 56 touchdowns the past two seasons is a huge question lingering over the offense. Matt Leinart, whose career has been slowed by injury and inconsistency, and newly acquired Derek Anderson (Browns), are next in line. Of course, any receiving corps that has the services of Larry Fitzgerald will present problems for opposing secondaries, and Beanie Wells should continue to improve after leading the team with 793 yards rushing (7 TD’s) as a rookie. The offensive line has a new face in free-agent guard Alan Faneca (Jets)…After finishing 20th in the NFL in total defense (346.4 YPG) and 14th in scoring defense (20.3 PPG), the stop unit more or less fell apart in the postseason, allowing 90 points in two games. Gone from the unit are LB Karlos Dansby, FS Antrel Rolle, and DE Bertrand Berry…With Warner, Fitzgerald and Boldin, the Cardinals had one of the NFL’s most potent passing attacks. Now that Warner and Boldin are out of the picture, the running game may play more a prominent role. The defense, minus key contributors, will have to step up for the Cardinals to contend for a third straight NFC West title.
Sportsbook.com Regular Season Wins Prop: Over/Under 7.5
StatFox Steve's Take: Matt Leinart is 7-10 as a starter for Arizona throughout his career, and with a more regular gig, he's capable of leading this team to a better mark than that down the road. However, the loss of Boldin and a few key defensive players makes that a tough task for 2010. If you consider that this team was average last season (dead even with opponents in yards per game), they look a lot less than average now. UNDER 7.5.
NFL: PHILADELPHIA at NY GIANTS (8:15 PM ET, NBC)
2009-12-11
The Giants passed the first of two critical late season tests by beating the Cowboys. However, even with that, a setback at home on Sunday Night’s NBC feature game vs. Philadelphia could be devastating to their hopes of returning to the postseason. They will play as a 1-point favorite according to Sportsbook.com, but at last check, more bettors (71%) were turning to the underdog Eagles with their wagers.
As it stands now, New York must win out to finish 11-5, and with losses in five of their L7 games and a season ending trip to Minnesota looming, that seems highly improbable. Philly is 8-4 after winning in Atlanta, 34-7, advancing its road mark to 4-2 SU & ATS. The Eagles already beat the Giants 40-19 at home in Week 8 and are 5-2 SU & ATS in their L7 trips to New York, including last year’s divisional playoff upset. The G-Men are 17-8 ATS in revenge under Tom Coughlin. The UNDER is 13-3 in the L16 games between these teams in the Big Apple.
Giants Stadium has served as a home away from home for the Eagles in recent years, and this marks their last appearance in the building with the Giants and Jets set to a call a new venue home in 2010. Philadelphia has won four of its last five at the Meadowlands, including a 23-11 upset of the Giants in an NFC divisional playoff game.
The Eagles even enjoyed a laugher over the Giants at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 9, with the offense rolling up 30 points in the first half of a 40-17 victory. Donovan McNabb threw three touchdown passes and saw his defensive buddies force three turnovers. With the game out of reach in the fourth quarter, Philadelphia fans turned their attention to baseball but their chants of “Let’s go Phillies” didn’t help later that night when the Yankees evened the score for New York teams with a win in Game 5 of the World Series.
The Giants started off 2009 playing like champions but as soon as the going got tough they crumbled. The aforementioned loss to the Eagles was the third of a four-game slide, and Big Blue is 2-1 since a Week 10 bye allowed it to regroup. Last Sunday’s 31-24 victory over Dallas began a crucial three-week stretch against division rivals likely to determine its playoff fate.
Quarterback Eli Manning, who days before the game denied his foot injury is as serious as reported, completed 11 of 25 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns with one interception as the Giants swept Dallas for the first time since 2004. Manning has had his share of problems with Philadelphia’s defense with four interceptions and two touchdowns over the last three meetings.
Philadelphia’s defense was lights out in a 34-7 win in Atlanta, forcing three turnovers and scoring on a Sheldon Brown interception. The offense saw Michael Vick get rushing and passing touchdowns.
Defensively, the Giants rank among the league’s top five in yards allowed (301.6 per game) but took a hit a few weeks ago when linebacker Antonio Pierce suffered a season-ending neck injury in practice. The unit’s captain made 55 tackles in nine games, and the defense has given up three rushing touchdowns in as many outings without him.
PREDICTION: There’s no reason to believe the Eagles can’t continue their success at the Meadowlands and take a large step toward the playoffs. McNabb always seems to bring his ‘A’ game down the turnpike and this week should be no different. PHILADELPHIA 27, N.Y. GIANTS 20
A New NFL Season – Let the Wagering Begin
2009-09-10
Keeping with recent NFL tradition, the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers open the new season at home before a national television audience on Thursday night. Pittsburgh, fresh off its second crown in four years, hosts Tennessee in a battle of the AFC's top two playoff seeds from 2008. Pittsburgh is a hefty 6-point favorite and backed by 77% of bettors at Sportsbook.com at last check. Get the latest breakdown on the BETTING TRENDS page.
The Titans (13-4, 14-4-1 ATS in 2008), who defeated the Steelers 31-14 in Week 16 last season and captured the AFC South title with 13 victories, are eager to be back in action after suffering a mistake-filled playoff loss at home to Baltimore in the divisional round. Tennessee outgained the Ravens by 180 yards, but three turnovers in the red zone proved too much to overcome.
Turnovers, a stifling defense, a deft running game and sound quarterback play from veteran Kerry Collins made the Titans the team to beat entering last year's postseason. And even with menacing tackle Albert Haynesworth (Redskins) gone from a defense that ranked in the top six in most categories, Tennessee is certain to be a factor in a division any of the four clubs could win and is 7-0 ATS in September the last couple of years.
Pittsburgh's competition in the AFC North may only go one deep, with nobody outside of Baltimore expected to contend. The Steelers (15-4, 11-8 ATS) have essentially the same personnel and are a safe bet to pick up right where they left off as 27-23 winners over Arizona in Super Bowl XLIII. Aside from an Achilles' scare in practice, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger enjoyed a quiet offseason, unlike 2006, and is primed to top last year's numbers (3,301 yards, 17 touchdowns, 15 interceptions) with a new second tier of receivers in Limas Sweed and Shaun McDonald (Lions) to go with veteran Hines Ward and Santonio "Super Bowl MVP" Holmes. Pittsburgh is 5-1 ATS in first game of a new season.
Roethlisberger passed for 331 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions versus the Titans last Dec. 21 in a game that saw Pittsburgh's top-ranked defense allow just one scoring drive of more than 40 yards. That came midway through the third quarter when Tennessee went 79 yards on 11 plays and took the lead for good on Chris Johnson's 21-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-inches.
Pittsburgh can expect a heavy dose of Johnson and LenDale White, but as the Titans showed in last year's meeting they won't hesitate to pass, as Collins went 20-for-29. That means Justin Gage will see plenty of action after totaling 104 yards last season against the Steelers defense. Look for the Titans to want to clock Big Ben just like last season, when they sacked him five times. Though Haynesworth will be missed, he didn’t play in last year’s matchup.
The Titans are six-point underdogs, with total of 35 at Sportsbook.com and are 16-6 ATS when catching points and are 8-2 UNDER in September.
If the opening game is to be joyous occasion in the Steel City, then the offensive line has to give Roethlisberger time to throw and not have him running for his life. Look for Pittsburgh to test Tennessee defense with deep shots to Sweed and rookie Mike Wallace. Defensively, the Steelers have to keep Johnson inside the tackles and prevent him from bouncing out wide. Pittsburgh is 39-18 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 7 points and has played OVER in seven straight openers.
In the last six meetings between these AFC squads, the OVER is 6-1. The excitement starts at 8:30 Eastern on NBC for the NFL lid-lifter and the previous year’s Super Bowl champions are 9-0 and 7-1-1 ATS in first game of a new season.
StatFox Power Line – Steelers by 7
NFL: Late Afternoon Kickoffs (4:05 PM ET, FOX & CBS)
2008-12-19
The late afternoon kickoffs offer a handful of games to build your betting ticket from. Suddenly hot Philadelphia travels to Washington to visit the downtrodden Redskins, Atlanta and Minnesota battle in a matchup of 9-5 playoff hopefuls, and the Jets look to end their west coast misery while staying atop the AFC East Division standings. See who your colleagues are siding with in these games by visiting the BETTING TRENDS page. Here’s a quick look at each with some forecasts from StatFox.
(113) PHILADELPHIA at (114) WASHINGTON
Having lost five of its L6 games, including last week in Cincinnati, Washington has been relegated to the spoiler role, trying to put a crimp in the postseason hopes of rival Philadelphia. The Redskins beat the Eagles the last time they met, 23-17 in Philly in Week 5. It was the fourth straight outright win by the visiting team in the series. The Eagles must hope for #5 if they are to stay in the playoff hunt. They can’t make the mistake of looking ahead to next week’s matchup with Dallas however. If revenge is the motivation, HC Andy Reid’s teams are 11-2 ATS in road games revenging a same season loss. The Redskins have lost five straight games ATS at home, winning only once outright. The UNDER is 11-4 in the L15 Washington meetings between these teams.
StatFox Power Ratings say: Philly by 8
(117) ATLANTA at (118) MINNESOTA
One of the games with the greatest playoff implications in the NFC for week 16 matches Atlanta and Minnesota, and both teams come in off of huge wins. The Falcons turned back Tampa Bay, 13-10 in OT to advance to 9-5. The Vikings share that same won-lost mark and actually look like a playoff caliber club of late, having won six of their L7 games. The biggest edge they might have in this one is getting the Falcons out of their Atlanta comfort zone. On the road, HC Mike Smith’s team is 3-4 SU & ATS, but scoring 10 PPG fewer. Minnesota is 5-1 SU & 3-3 ATS at home, holding foes to just 256.3 YPG. With HC Brad Childress’ team laying 3-points, note that the favorite is on a 5-0 SU & ATS run in the L5 h2h meetings, most recently, a 24-3 home win by the Vikings LY.
StatFox Forecaster says: Minnesota 23, Atlanta 22
(123) NY JETS at (124) SEATTLE
With his team’s playoff prospects hanging in the balance, the last thing HC Eric Mangini wants to fly back out to the left coast for a critical game. The Jets have been out West three times in ’08, going 0-3 SU & ATS, otherwise they are 9-2. However, they’ve beaten their current opponent, the Seahawks, five straight times (4-1 ATS), including twice in Seattle. Tied atop the AFC East with the Jets & Patriots, New York will look to improve its second-half road mark to 11-2 ATS under Mangini. For the Seahawks, this will be the home finale in the Mike Holmgren era, as he takes his 3-11 team down the stretch. Although riding the momentum of a win at St. Louis, his team has lost eight straight games ATS vs. teams scoring >=24 PPG, and is 3-12 ATS vs. AFC East foes.
StatFox Outplay Factor Ratings say: NY Jets by 6.8
NFL: Monday Night Football – Giants/Browns (8:35 PM ET, NBC)
2008-10-10
With its open date coming last Sunday, Cleveland has had two weeks to reflect on its first win of ’08 and to get ready to host unbeaten New York on Monday night. The defending champion Giants opened as a 7-point favorite but has been bet up to minus-8.5 by over 70% of public action.
For the Browns, early ’08 has been a struggle, but the win at Cincinnati in week 4 at least gave them momentum to take into the bye week. They have won two of their L3 coming out of the bye and are 18-6 ATS coming off a road game under Romeo Crennel. The Giants have picked up right where they left off in February, winning four straight games by an average margin of 19.5 PPG. They have typically played outstanding football under Tom Coughlin in October, going 13-3 ATS. This will be just New York’s second road game of the season and they are riding a well-documented 12-game road win streak (11-1 ATS).
Derek Anderson has Carson Palmer to thank for allowing him to remain Cleveland's starting quarterback heading into a Monday night showdown with the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants.
An elbow injury made Palmer a last-minute scratch in Week 4 for the Bengals, and the Browns' defense feasted on backup Ryan Fitzpatrick (three interceptions) to lead the way to a 20-12 victory. The outcome helped camouflage another poor outing from Anderson, who was a series away from losing his job to Brady Quinn when early in the fourth quarter he drove the offense 80 yards on 13 plays and hit Braylon Edwards with the go-ahead touchdown pass. Luckily, a Cincinnati penalty wiped out an interception along the way.
You can bet if Anderson comes anywhere close to duplicating his awful first-half statistics (6-for-12 for 48 yards) from the Bengals game, head coach Romeo Crennel will have the hook out and call for Quinn, who showed command and poise throughout the preseason. It would certainly help
Anderson's cause against the Giants if Edwards (11 catches, 95 yards, one touchdown) did a better job with his hands and if Donte' Stallworth would get on the field and make his debut for the Browns. Stallworth, signed as a free agent to give the offense a proven a deep threat, has yet to play this season after suffering a quad injury in the pre-game warmup prior to the opener.
While Cleveland, 1-3 and coming off a bye, was minus Stallworth for its first four games, New York played without the suspended Plaxico Burress last Sunday against Seattle but nobody noticed. Eli Manning threw for 267 yards and hit DomenikHixon and Sinorice Moss with touchdown passes in a 44-6 blowout victory. Burress will return Monday night-just in time for some extra media attention and to resume his role as Manning's most-intended target.
The Browns rank near the bottom of the NFL in most defensive categories, except they've done a solid job in the first half over the past three games and held the Steelers, Ravens and Bengals to a combined 17 points. But by spending an average of nearly 33 minutes per game on the field, the unit has worn down. Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson (36 tackles) and cornerback Eric Wright have been the bright spots.
PREDICTION
If the Giants force the hosts to play catch-up, Anderson will press with the crowd on his case and Quinn breathing down his neck. That could bring Crennel to make a change that seems inevitable.
N.Y. GIANTS 24, CLEVELAND 10
NFL - New York Giants at Dallas (4:30 PM ET – FOX)
2008-01-14
The Cowboys are the smallest favorite of the four home teams in the NFL Divisional Playoffs, yet still laying more than a touchdown to the Giants. The fact that Dallas is a bit injury riddled and that this will be the third meeting of the season between the division rivals probably has something to do with that. The hosts are looking for the season sweep. Certain trends signify an advantage to New York though, since it is 8-1 SU & 7-2 ATS on the road in ’07-08, and since Dallas lost its L4 games of the season ATS. In fact, the Cowboys mustered just 15 PPG in that stretch after scoring 32.8 PPG prior. Owner Jerry Jones’ team is hosting its first playoff game since 1/14/96 and looking for its first postseason win since the ’96 Super Bowl, a span of four games.
NEW YORK
With one playoff win in the books, it might seem like a good time to bring a good vibe to the New York Giants. Not so fast my friends. While the opponent ahead already owns a record of 2-0 against this team, there is more than enough reason for trepidation in the Big Apple. For starters, this team is led by one of the least accurate passers in the land. Eli Manning finished the regular season a 56.1% completion rate, the lowest mark by any NFL QB throwing at least 310 passes this year. That leaves the offensive burden on RB Brandon Jacobs, a talented rusher but facing troublesome odds against the 6th-best rushing defense in the land.
However, as recent weeks have shown, it is the Giant defense that will be tasked with the daunting challenge of keeping this game competitive. The ability to rush the passer and create chaos has helped the Giants reach this point, holding teams to 207.3 passing yards per game and collecting a league-high 53 sacks during the regular season. With all of that said, this same defense has surrendered a combined total of 592 passing yards and EIGHT passing TDs to Tony Romo this season. Having Dallas WR Terrell Owens sidelined with injury (nine receptions for 212 yards and four TDs combined against the Giants this year) may be their only hope… and TO may play.
DALLAS
In terms of offense, the Cowboys have been magnificent, finishing the regular season as the 3rd-ranked unit in the league, averaging 365.7 yards per game. The Boys were especially effective via the pass, averaging 256.6 passing yards per game (4th in the NFL). The rise of QB Tony Romo completed a process originally commenced by Parcells and his offensive sidekick Sean Payton, signing Romo as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Eastern Illinois and keeping him on the roster through several experiments gone bad. Now Romo shines as one of the most recognizable faces in the NFL and is bolstered by one of the most feared rushing duos (Marion Barber and Julius Jones) in the game today.
The defense has been a point of emphasis as well and, like the offense, the results speak for themselves, allowing an average of 307.6 total yards per game (9th in the NFL), including a paltry average of 94.6 rushing yards per game allowed (6th in the NFL). Hybrid LB DeMarcus Ware (84 total tackles, 14 sacks) makes the entire system work, putting immense pressure on opposing QBs and adjusting to the run as well as any player in the game. The defensive backfield needs a healthy Terence Newman at corner to achieve maximum efficiency.
Key Trend – Home teams with two weeks rest playing teams with exactly one week between games are 14-5 ATS in the postseason.
Keys to the Game
Round three of the always bitter battle between the Giants and Dallas commences late Sunday afternoon. Dallas rather easily won the previous two games, as the offensive line curtailed the New York pass rush and threw the ball short, medium and deep with relative ease. Some might say it is not easy to beat a team three times in the same season. While that may be true in theory, today's modern athlete and coaches more look at it as having the winning formula and will throw in a few new wrinkles to keep team motivated. Dallas has won 11 of 16 at Texas Stadium against the Giants and is 10-5-1 ATS. Confidence is a fragile commodity and Eli Manning is showing more poise and control then at any time in his career. Manning is not seeing the same number of dropped pass as of late and his team has covered three in a row. Dallas comes in on a downer at 2-2 and has failed to cover four straight contests. In some these outings the Cowboys were just going thru the motions and are expected to be fired up, plus they are is 7-0 ATS off a road loss over the last three seasons. One other aspect to consider is underdogs of 3.5 to 10 points like the Giants, revenging a loss where opponent scored 28 or more points, off an upset win as an underdog are just 5-15 ATS.
StatFox Edge – Dallas covers
NFL - San Diego at Jacksonville
2007-11-19
Two teams that picked up huge wins a week ago will meet in Jacksonville when the Jaguars host the Chargers. Oddsmakers gauge these teams to be fairly evenly matched, as the home team is a standard field goal favorite.
The hosts won a divisional tilt at Tennessee to advance to 6-3 (5-4 ATS). San Diego nearly blew a 23-0 lead at home to Indy but hung on to capture a 23-21 decision. The Chargers are now atop the AFC West at 5-4. For these two playoff contenders, this is the first meeting since ‘04, and they’ve only met twice in all, with the home team winning both SU and ATS. The Jaguars have played better football on the road, going 2-2 SU & 1-3 ATS at home while scoring just 16.7 PPG. San Diego’s worst performances have been on the road. Highlighted by the latest loss, 35-17 at Minnesota where they allowed 528 yards of offense, the Chargers are 1-3 SU & ATS away.
The Chargers are a team void of consistency, a sure sign coach Norv Turner has failed to solidify his place as the team’s leader. It took several weeks to realize the power RB LaDainian Tomlinson could provide, young QB Philip Rivers has regressed, and the defense is in total disarray. There is little reason to put faith in their corner as trepidation and worry reign supreme.
The Jaguars have found the 2007 season to be equally as difficult, failing to justify high expectations with a lopsided offensive effort too reliant on the run and a defense shrouded in disappointment and controversy. The opposition has found tremendous success through the air against the Jags, putting the onus of the San Diego effort on TE Antonio Gates in the week ahead.
Keys to the Game- After three embarrassing road losses, San Diego players have figured out, "We're not an elite team at all," LaDainian Tomlinson said. To change, the Chargers need to bring a different mindset to the gridiron. DC Ted Cottrell run defensive principles will receive another workout with the thundering Jacksonville rushing tandem of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. The Jaguars pass defense is in the lower echelons of the NFL rankings. They will have to take there chances that Philip Rivers can’t beat them at home, and close down L.T. The Jaguars are 23-11-1 ATS in non-division games. Despite lack of success thus far, if San Diego wins, they are in with 64-5 ATS mark as road victor.
Trends
San Diego is 38-21 ATS vs. pass defenses allowing a comp. pct. of 61% or worse
Jacksonville is 10-5-1 ATS as home favorite of 3.5 or less points.
StatFox Platinum Sheet Pick – Jacksonville (+ or -) points