When you look at what the San Diego Chargers have lost in this most recent offseason, it is amazing that the sports betting experts still feel the team can compete for a divisional title. Future hall of fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson and prolific wide receiver Vincent Jackson are both no longer playing for the Chargers. That leaves quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates to produce the offense for the team. The Oakland Raiders thought they were improving their standing with the NFL betting public when they went out and got quarterback Jason Campbell from the Washington Redskins. The Raiders offensive line allowed Campbell to get beaten up in the preseason, and then when Campbell was healthy in the regular season, he was not effective. The Raiders turned to last year’s starter Bruce Gradkowski, and Oakland is starting to realize that Campbell may wind up being a very expensive back-up to the guy that should have been starter all along. You can say whatever you want about the NFL scores these two teams have put up this season, it is always a battle when the Chargers play the Raiders. It is even uglier when they get together in Oakland with all of those accommodating Raiders fans just waiting to welcome the Chargers with open arms. All satire aside, this game will be a smash-mouth football game that any football fan will love to watch. Despite their problems on offense, the Chargers have managed to put up the third most points in the NFL to this point in the season. By contrast, the Raiders have given up the third most points in the NFL to this point in the season. If you are a Raiders fan, then you cannot like where this is headed. The Chargers are slowly breaking in their rookie running back Ryan Mathews, but he already looks like he is going to be a Northbet star in the NFL. Quarterback Philip Rivers has already thrown for more than 1,300 yards this season and nine touchdowns. His offense is producing points, they are just not doing it consistently. Of the 113 points the Chargers have scored to this point, 79 of them have come in one game. When the Chargers come up against a weak pass defense, as they did against the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals, then they blow the team out. But until the running game really gets going in San Diego, the Chargers will have a hard time competing against defenses that can shut down the pass. The NFL predictions on the Raiders are that they will win more games this season. But until they find a way to play better defense, the Raiders will be at the bottom of the AFC West looking up. The Raiders defense is 29th in points surrendered by allowing almost 27 points per game. Gradkowski and the offense are only scoring 19 points per game. That is a gap the Raiders have to close before they can expect to start winning. Pick: San Diego Chargers 21-7
I never knew the impact special teams could have on a game until this year. 4th year in a row of a 2-3 start. Thanks, guys. So much for that quick start they all talked about. Hell of a day from Rivers, Gates, and Floyd, though. Thanks for falling apart on that last drive, OL. Oh yeah...Ryan Mathews 6 YPC...only 9 carries...enough with this running Mike Tolbert shit...god damn it, play Mathews. He has looked very explosive so far. Thank God we get Marcus McNeil back this week. Move Dumbo back to RT and put Clary's ass on the bench--where he fucking belongs.
wtf is up with mathews? I played him in one of my leagues, and saw him playing well. Then they would run Tolbert and he sucked. What gives?
