Tennessee Titans (5-2 SU, 5-2 ATS) vs. San Diego Chargers (2-5 SU, 2-5 ATS), 4:05 pm EST, NFL Week 8, Sunday, October 31, 2010, Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
By Scotty L of Predictem.com
Betting Odds: Ten +3.5/SD -3.5
Over/Under Total: 44
Wager on the Titans/Bolts game using your credit card at a sportsbook that WILL get it to work for deposits and that’ll give you a generous 25% sign up bonus as well (use bonus code: SPORTS25). Take advantage of these great features at the web’s biggest bookie: Sportsbook.
The resurgent Tennessee Titans travel to San Diego to take on the struggling Chargers on Sunday. Before the season, you would have figured the Titans would be the 2-5 team, while the Chargers would be 5-2. Such is the case this season, as teams, for the most part, are simply not playing according to expectations. These two squads embody this notion as much as any teams in the entire league.
Tennessee leads the AFC South, with two other teams lurking at 4-2. When watching the Titans, one gets the impression that they are a true extension of Jeff Fisher. They play hard and have a mental toughness that has stood out this season. Their last game illustrates their grit. Down by 10 points early in the 4th quarter against the Eagles, the Titans kept their cool and peeled off 27 last quarter points to pull away 37-19 in a most impressive performance.
The Chargers have been anything but impressive, as their underachieving, lack of focus, and mental errors have left them in tatters. Despite having the NFLs top ranked offense and defense (in total yardage), they are somehow only 2-5. What gives? The special teams and costly turnovers have rendered those glistening stats moot. Looking at Tennessee, its clear that it is far better to be solid and steady than it is to be spectacular and erratic in this league.
We will have to see how Vince Young bounces back this week. He was out of Sundays game, as veteran back-up extraordinaire Kerry Collins filled in admirablythrowing for 276 yards and 3 touchdowns. Running back Chris Johnson, fresh off a 2000-yard season, is struggling to find his way, performing well at times and looking ineffective at others. Hes averaging just a tick over 4 yards per rush, but is a threat to break it open at any time.
Kenny Britt helped head the Titans 4th-quarter comeback, as he caught passes for 224 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Titans are 3rd in defense in points allowed and 2nd in points scored on offense. A win here allows them to settle comfortably into their bye week at 6-2. This is not a team that has shown any deterioration on the road, winning all 3 of their road games and covering the spread by double digits each time.
The Chargers seemed poised to get their season on the right track on Sunday against the Patriots, but were plagued by key personnel losses, particularly on offense. Already missing Vincent Jackson, the Chargers lost ball catchers Malcom Floyd, Legedu Naanee, and Antonio Gates is hurting with a bad ankle. You could tell the difference. Philip Rivers still managed 336 yards passing, but there were key problems. One practice squad player, after catching a pass and falling down untouched, laid the ball on the turfleading to a long fumble return by the Pats. Then another player, after not catching a backwards pass, did not pick up the ballleading to another turnover.
These kinds of mistakes are killing the season for the Chargers. This is how you have a top-ranked offense and defense, but a team that might be out of playoff contention before 10 games have been played. The Chargers are on their 4th or 5th long snapper, the linebacking crew is banged up, key pass catchers are out or playing hurt, the rushing game is anemic, and the Chargers are now facing a scenario where there is simply no margin for error. If they have any hopes for this season, this is a must-win game.
MOST SPORTSBOOKS MAKE YOU BET $110 TO WIN $100. DID YOU KNOW THAT
YOU ONLY HAVE TO RISK $105 TO WIN THAT VERY SAME $100 AT 5DIMES?
START GETTING A BONUS EVERY TIME YOU BET!
The Chargers have been unable to develop a sense of urgency until very late in these games. Down 20-3 against New England, the Chargers stormed back in the 4th quarter with 17 points and had a 45-yard field goal attempt to tie the game. Then guess whatanother inexplicable error. A lineman got called for a false start, making it a 50-yard attempt that hit the right upright. The defense held the Patriots to 179 yards, but as is their wontthey beat themselves.
Scotty Ls Pick to Cover the Point Spread: There was a time not too long ago when the Titans would not be expected to win this game. They certainly feel that this is an imminently winnable game and they should come into San Diego with a nice head of steam. With San Diego, you have a self-destructive team that isnt responding to their head coach, but is nonetheless being given odds as if they were a Super Bowl contender. The line this week shows that the hype is wearing off a bit, but they are still a 2-5 team that has to lay more than a field goal against a 5-2 team.
If the Chargers had some serious fight in them, why hasnt it surfaced before now? This team had this same feeling of urgency the last two weeks and still only managed 6 first-half points combined in both games, looking anything but urgent. Its understandable to predict that the Chargers can get through one game without imploding, which would leave them in good stead. Until they show otherwise, I think this is a team that is in big trouble. The best value in this game though is the total as MANY points should be scored. Take the OVER 44 and I’ll see you at the bank.
