San Diego vs Oakland Betting
Chargers and Raiders conclude Week 1 on Monday Night
The AFC West takes center stage in the final game of Week 1. For those of you in the East, you will probably rely on Sports Center for the results. For those of us in the West, we may actually see a good game between two teams looking to get off on the right foot this year.
San Diego Chargers vs. Oakland Raiders
Date/Time: Monday, September 10, 2012, 10:15 PM ET
Venue: O. co. Coliseum
Broadcast: ESPN
Chargers vs. Raiders Betting Lines from betonline.com
Spread: Chargers -1 (-110)
Moneyline: Chargers -120: Raiders +100
Over/Under: 47 1/2 points
Both teams missed the playoffs last year and will be looking to advance this season – and it all starts Monday!
The San Diego Chargers, it is no secret are brutal to start seemingly every season! Seriously – what is in the mind of a player in San Diego before December? Need proof of their early season misery? Last year they started the season 2-9 ATs and that was better than the year before! Ugh!
This year the Chargers enter the season without their top receiving option Vincent Jackson, their reliable running back Mike Tolbert and with a chronically banged up running back. But Antonio Gates who looks healthy and ready to go. Optimistic? If you are then you have ice running through your veins!
On Monday night the offense will be made up of Philip Rivers who hopes to clean up the turnover issue, an aging and clearly second-rate back Ronnie Brown and Robert Meachem who looked average when Drew Brees was throwing him the ball. Against a poorish Oakland defense, it actually may be enough but just barely.
The San Diego defense has proven opportunistic but average just the same. They will be charged with slowing down one of the most dangerous backs in the league in Darren McFadden and they have to hope limit the effectiveness of Carson Palmer who has finally had some time to familiarize himself with what the Raiders hope to do on offense.
The Raiders could be a breakout team this year – it all hinges on the health of Darren McFadden. He alone can and will win games for Oakland. Carson Palmer represents a quality pivot, the likes of which the Raiders have not seen in quite some time. With some blazing speed at wideoout, Oakland suddenly becomes an interesting offense to watch. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Like San Diego, you can’t expect much from the Oakland defense. The will bend and bend and bend some more! The offense will likely be the best defense in this one – controlling the clock should ensure victory for the home squad!
Betting Prediction: A few trends to consider:
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Diego’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Oakland
- San Diego is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Oakland
- San Diego is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games when playing Oakland
- San Diego is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oakland’s last 5 games when playing at home against San Diego
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Oakland’s last 7 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland’s last 5 games at home
- Oakland is 6-12 ATS in its last 18 games when playing San Diego
The trends suggest that the Chargers have the upper hand in this game but there is absolutely no way I am trusting a Norv Turner team in September. The fact is – Oakland will have the best player in the game in the name of Darren McFadden. He is a difference maker and will prove it Monday night. Also take a look at the Over. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that this should be a high scoring game – neither team has a defense!
Pick: Oakland Raiders +1 and the Over – 47 1/2 points
