NFL Betting: 49ers at Chargers Pick
Written by Greg Waters
Thu, 16 Dec 2010
Category sportsbook
Feedback Rating - no votes
The 49ers accomplished several things with last week's 40-21 win over the Seattle Seahawks, most importantly, gaining ground on the division leading St. Louis Rams.
It was San Francisco's third straight win against teams from the NFC West and perhaps if the 49ers had not given the rest of the division a five-game head start to the season, winning their first title since 2002 would have been as easy as a lot of people expected in the pre-season.
Instead, the 49ers will likely need to win-out for a shot at the title and the hardest part of that starts with this prime-time matchup vs. the San Diego Chargers.
The late-season success HC Turner is famous for has caught on once again, with the Chargers going 5-1 straight-up and against the spread (SU/ATS) in their past six games.
San Diego's offensive and defensive stats have ranked near the top of the league all season and special teams, which contributed to virtually all of the early losses, have at least reached acceptable levels.
The Chargers run game had its most prolific day of the season in last week's 31-0 romp over the Chiefs; RBs Tolbert, Mathews, and Sproles netting 184 yards on 38 carries. And the defense held Kansas City to 67 total yards on offense.
CHOPPING WOOD
During San Diego's 11-game straight-up win streak last season the Chargers were 7-3-1 ATS and five of those 11 wins were by more than a TD. Online sportsbooks have listed the Chargers as a TD-plus favorite seven times this year and so far they are 4-3 ATS.
Home favorites on Thursday night this season are 3-1-1 ATS and when laying more than a TD, the home team is 2-0 ATS.
This Thursday night matchup kicks off a very interesting week, as the playoff races are red-hot and many games have huge implications.
NFL PICKS
San Diego (7-6) sits one game back of Kansas City for the division lead and are two games behind the Ravens (9-4) and Jets (9-4) in the AFC Wild Card race.
San Francisco (5-8) is ranked 12th in the overall NFC picture and are one game back of the St. Louis Rams (6-7) and Seattle Seahawks (6-7).
Injuries to both teams will affect game planning but the depth, skill, and experience of San Diego will allow them to control the pace of this contest and secure a win.
Given what's at stake, we don't see QB Rivers leaving the backdoor open for a cover.
Pick: Take the Chargers
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