NFL Odds – It`s Do or Die Time For the Chargers…Again

Sooner or later, the NFL Odds are going to catch up to the San Diego Chargers and a miracle mid to late season comeback will not happen. This week they face a New England team that needs a win to keep pace with the New York Jets in the always tough AFC East.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-1) vs. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (2-4)
Sunday, October 24, 4:15 PM ET
Qualcomm Stadium
San Francisco, California
Broadcast: CBS

NFL Odds:

New England: + 2 ½ (-110)
San Diego: -2 ½ (-110)

Moneyline: New England +115: San Diego -135

Total: 47 ½ points

The New England Patriots have proven that they don`t need Top End talent to compete. NFL odds would suggest that the loss of a Randy Moss would deal a significant blow to any team`s chances to challenge for a divisional crown. But coming off a win over another AFC Heavyweight Baltimore, New England who is void of any sort of consistent running game has put themselves in a position to do just that.

[Off topic: by the way, do you want to get a 55% bonus on your first deposit here at BetOnline? If so JOIN NOW.]

The Patriots offense continues to click along. Tom Brady is having another Pro Bowl caliber year – ho hum, and running game may have finally found a consistent weapon in Danny Woodhead. New England is averaging 231 yards passing per game so far this season and Danny Woodhead gained 115 total yards against a very tough Baltimore defense last week. They will have their hands full this week however, against a Chargers defense that has allowed a league low 235.2 yards per game so far.

New England`s defense has been a “bend, not break” squad this year and although they certainly aren’t the reason the Pats are 4-1, they haven’t been hurting the club as in previous years.

San Diego has been miserable but the NFL Odds are actually with them this week as they try to build on a 2-0 record at home. The Chargers may be without three prime weapons this week – Antonio Gates, Malcolm Floyd and Legadu Nannee are hopeful to play, but injuries may keep them out of their Sunday showdown.

San Diego’s offense has been typically strong this season. Philip Rivers has 2008 yards passing and 12 touchdowns so far and is averaging 335 yards passing per game. The offense as a whole is averaging 432.7 yards per game even though the running game has not exactly set the world on fire yet.

Surprisingly, the defense has remained one of the Top units in the NFL so far. They are allowing just 235.2 yards per game and the passing defense is surrendering a league low 163 yards per game.

NFL Odds Outlook:

The New England Patriots are 4-1 S/U this season but are just 2-5 S/U in their last seven road games. New England is 2-3-1 ATS in their last six overall and 2-3-1 ATS in their last six road games. The Pats are 8-3 S/U versus San Diego in their last 11 games but are just 2-4 ATS against San Diego in their last six games.

San Diego is 13-5 S/U in their last 18 games but is just 2-5 S/U in their last seven. Although the Chargers are 7-1 S/U in their last eight games at home, they are just 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight games overall.

The San Diego Chargers are a totally different team at home. They are 2-0 at home as opposed to 0-4 on the road this season. The Chargers are averaging 39.5 points per game at home this season and have averaged 165.5 rushing yards per game in those contests. However with Gates, Floyd and Nannee either OUT or less than 100%, the Chargers will be in tough against an elite New England team. If St. Louis and Oakland can beat San Diego, imagine what the Patriots will be able to accomplish. Pick the minor upset in this one.

NFL Odds Pick: New England Patriots + 2 ½