Final Regular Season NFL Free Pick Article
By Adam Barone—The final week of the NFL regular season can be screwy to bet on because of teams resting their players, but the Chargers desire and ability to destroy the Raiders is pretty obvious.
Most importantly here, San Diego is playing for the no. 3 seed. They’re 10-5—the same record as the current no. 4 seed Steelers. All San Diego needs is a win to wrap it up.
Locking up the three seed means that the Chargers
get to play either the Browns or the Titans in the first round of the
playoffs and avoid the Jaguars.
Basically that’s like a choice between eating a cupcake and being
punched in the neck. The Chargers would prefer that Pittsburgh take
the fist to the throat.
It also means that they’d avoid a second round match-up with the
Patriots.
I know what you’re thinking, but the Bolts have already beaten the Colts this season, smart guy.
The Chargers are 8-1 ATS in their last nine and
5-0 in their last five meetings in Oakland. The favorite is also 7-1
ATS in their last eight meetings overall.
Rookie QB JaMarcus Russell will be starting for the Raiders. JaMarcus
(what kind of a name is that, anyway?) proved his worth as the no. 1
overall pick last week by going 7-23 for an astounding 83 yards and
three picks. He did have one touchdown, somehow. Either way—he’s
bad and has decision making problems and San Diego’s pass D is
very tough.
The possible downside for the Chargers is RB LaDainian Tomlinson’s hamstring. Fortunately the Raiders are 31st in the NFL against the run. Even if LT doesn’t play at all the Chargers still have RB’s Michael Turner and Darren Sproles behind him. Sproles carried the load two weeks ago against the Lions, running the rock 25 times for 122 yards and two touchdowns. At a mere eight inches tall, he’s difficult to tackle.
Make sure you get this game at a spread of less
than 10, but even at 10 you should be safe. Make no mistake, the Chargers
want this one.
Make no mistake, the Chargers want this one.
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