San Diego Chargers (1-1 SU, 2-0 ATS) vs. Tennessee Titans (1-1 SU, 2-0 ATS)
NFL Week 3
Date and Time: Sunday, September 22, 1:00pm
Where: LP Field, Nashville, TN
TV: CBS
by Bob, Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: SD +3/TEN -3
Over/Under Total: 44
This Sunday, the San Diego Chargers will travel to the Music City to battle the Titans of Tennessee. Both teams are sitting at 1-1 and this should be a great matchup between two teams who are both hoping for an AFC playoff spot. Tennessee is coming off a loss to the Texans, and the Chargers just this past week pulled the upset against Mike Vick and the fast paced Eagles. The line opens with the home team Titans as a 3 point favorite. I could see this matchup going either way so lets take a look at the two teams.
The San Diego Chargers should be 2-0. They blew a late 28-7 lead at home to the Texans in a game that ended on a last second 31-28 loss. Losses like that are bitter but the Chargers were able to regroup and go into Philadelphia and pull off the upset win over the Eagles, a team that many for some reason think has a shot to go far. Philip Rivers who I always considered a little bit of a shaky and emotional QB, has actually started this season out in a good way. Currently Rivers has over 600 yards passing and 7 touchdowns in just two games. He did have the costly pick six against the Texans, but that’s the only pick he has thrown. Rivers has put this team on his back and like I said, are just a few plays away from coming into this matchup 2-0. The San Diego defense will want to tighten up a bit more, but overall San Diego looks as if they could be a playoff team come January.
Just like San Diego, Tennessee isn’t far from being 2-0 either. They took down the Steelers in week one, then lost to the Texans in an overtime battle. The Titans are a pretty solid team, with the exception of being ranked last in the NFL in passing, they are ranked in the top 10 in rushing, as well as 11th against the pass. Tennessee is the favorite in this game, and in order to win, defense will be key. If the Titan D line can rattle Phillip Rivers early, they could make it a long day for him. I actually see a low scoring affair in this game. First team to 20 wins this one.
Bob’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: If you follow me closely, you know that I am not a big fan of picking favorites. I believe in most cases, the public pounds faves, and that’s how Vegas gets paid. My goal is always be on the opposite side as everyone else. More times than not, the underdog is that “opposite” side. I did a little digging and I found a stat that blew me away. In the last 15 years, San Diego has covered the spread versus teams in the AFC South 84% of the time. I am not sure if that is just some statistical anomaly or there is something to it, but you know what, I am going to roll with it. San Diego coming off a big win, playing good football, they are the underdog, and I found a huge stat to back up the pick. Take the Chargers. If they win this game, I may actually buy into them even more. I never thought I would trust a team led by Philip Rivers but, I kinda do.
CHARGERS +3