NFL Predictions Experts Not Sold on Chargers Covering Versus Niners

NFL betting predictions experts are not sold on the San Diego Chargers covering the spread versus the San Francisco 49’ers on Thursday, Dec. 16th.

Although the Chargers looked fantastic versus the Kansas City Chiefs this past Sunday in a key game that they needed to win, only 54% of football handicappers at this point in the wagering believe that the Chargers will cover the spread versus the seemingly overmatched 49’ers.

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That leaves 46% believing that the Niners, who are coming off of their best effort of the season, could make their game versus San Diego interesting.

Is it San Diego or San Francisco to cover that’s one of the better NFL predictions this week?

San Francisco 49’ers (5-8) at San Diego Chargers (7-6)

Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

When: Dec. 16th, 2010 at 8:20 pm EST

TV: NFL Network

Radio: Sirius-XM 125 (SF) 126 (SD)

NFL Betting Line

San Francisco 49’ers +9 -110 O 44 ½ -110

San Diego Chargers -9 -110 U 44 ½ -110

Check out some wagering trends for this Thursday night matchup.

• The San Francisco 49’ers are 3 and 2 ATS in their last 5 games.
• The Over is 3 and 2 ATS in the San Francisco 49’ers last 5 games.
• The San Diego Chargers are 3 and 1 ATS in their last 4 games.
• The Under is 3-0-1 in the San Diego Chargers last 4 games.

The Chargers appear to be the bet this Thursday night to cover the spread, but football handicappers don’t just jump on a dog for any old reason. Yes, 9 points is a lot, but more importantly, the Chargers haven’t been as sharp as one might expect the past couple of weeks.

Yes, the Chargers definitely laid the wood on Kansas City this past Sunday in a terrific performance. The Bolts dominated the Chiefs 31 to 0 as -10 point favorites, but San Diego was an obvious NFL predictions pick, although I gave the Chiefs more credit than I should have, after it came to light that Matt Cassel, the Chiefs starting quarterback, wouldn’t play because of appendix surgery the Wednesday before.

Facing the Chiefs without their QB is different than taking on the San Francisco 49’ers coming off of their best performance of the season. Yes, San Diego has the number one defense in the NFL. The Chargers allow only 265 total yards and an incredible 173.3 passing yards per game, but San Francisco might have the answer for the Chargers’ D in rejuvenated old running back Brian Westbrook.

Westbrook, subbing for Frank Gore who is on injured reserve, didn’t do much rushing the ball this past Sunday, he had 23 yards on 9 carries, but he did do a lot in the passing game. Westbrook caught 6 passes for 87 yards and a TD. All of the passes came from the surprisingly hot Alex Smith who went 17 for 27 for 255 yards, 3 touchdowns and an awesome 0 interceptions. The 49’ers beat the Seattle Seahawks 40 to 21. I’m not saying that Smith and Westbrook are going to be that good this Thursday night versus San Diego, but I am saying that the 49’ers can definitely make this game interesting if Smith and Westbrook are clicking in the passing game. It’s hard not to make a team on the upswing the better NFL predictions pick in this contest.

As good as San Diego looked versus KC, they looked just as bad a week before versus the Oakland Raiders. San Francisco doesn’t have the type of running game that the Raiders possess but they do have a decent all around offense and a good defense.

I have to take the points in this matchup. The Chargers can stub their toe for no apparent reason. That’s why the 49’ers to cover is the bet in this game.

NFL Betting Pick: San Francisco 49’ers +9 -110

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