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Sports Edge's NFL betting
preview of all 32 teams continues with the AFC
West's San Diego Chargers.
Click
here for all NFL odds
VIP Odds
San Diego is 35:1 to win
the Super Bowl, 17:1 to win the AFC Championship,
and 3:1 to win the AFC West. Their Over / Under
win total is 9.
Schedule
San Diego’s 2006
opponents had a record of 125-131 in 2005. That
is tied for the 6th easiest schedule in the
AFC. The Chargers get their bye-week very early
after Week 2.
The Chargers finished last
season at 9-7, which was third place in the
AFC West. The benefit to that is they get to
play Buffalo and Tennessee this year as they
finished in 3rd place in their divisions. Those
two are winnable games, as are their two Oakland
games. San Diego hopes to stay in the division
race until December, when they play three out
of their last four at home.
Sports Edge Analysis
Phillip Rivers is a third
year quarterback who has sat on the bench behind
Drew Brees. Rivers has a ton of pressure on
him as he was a high first round draft pick,
and Brees was very popular with the fans and
his teammates. Rivers does not have any grace
period and must prove he can win right away.
Rivers has an interesting
receiving core that is highlighted by tight
end, Antonio Gates. While Gates may be the best
in the NFL at his position, receivers Keenan
McCardell and Eric Parker are just average.
McCardell is also 36 years-old, so the team
is relying on young, Vincent Jackson for a breakthrough
season.
The running back situation
is in great hands as LaDainian Tomlinson remains
a force, and Michael Turner and Darren Sproles
are two interesting options behind him. Sproles
is one of the shortest players in the NFL, but
also a potential game-breaker.
The offensive line is led
by center, Nick Hardwick who just signed a big
deal to stay with the team. Overall, the unit
has a good chance to be above average, but having
left tackle Roman Oben protecting Rivers’
blindside is a little scary.
San Diego’s defense
was 6th in the AFC in yards allowed last year
and 7th in points allowed. The Chargers play
a base 3-4 defense that was tops in the conference
in stopping the run last year.
A lot of that credit goes
to nose tackle, Jamal Williams who ties up blockers
and allows inside linebackers like Donnie Edwards
and Randall Godfrey to make the plays. The outside
linebackers are very exciting with Shawne Merriman
rushing from one side, and Steve Foley coming
off the other.
The secondary has
been the weaker part of the defense with the
starting cornerbacks combining for just two
interceptions. Quentin Jammer is set on one
side, although the coaches would like his hands
to be a little stickier. The Chargers also hope
that first round pick, Antonio Cromartie will
eventually take over the other cornerback spot.
Predictions
The Chargers lost their
first two games last year and their last two
games. In between, they played very good football
at 9-3. Alas, that was not good enough to make
the playoffs, and it ended up being a very disappointing
season overall.
Coach Marty Schottenheimer
needs to win this year or it could be his last.
However, much of the team’s success will
hinge on Rivers. If he plays well, then this
is a definite playoff team. If he struggles
some, then this is a .500 team. The prediction
here is right in the middle, and that means
the Chargers finish with a 9-7 record.
Click any of the following
teams for their NFL 2006 Betting Previews
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2006 Betting Preview
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Jets
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Bills
2006 Betting Preview
Posted by miker at August
10, 2006 1:10 PM
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