New England Patriots at San Diego Chargers
Sunday, 10/24/2010, 4:15 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: San Diego -3
Current Betting Line: San Diego -3
Opening Total: 49
Current Total: 47
Current Moneyline: San Diego -140 / New England +120
New England is coming off a 23-20 overtime victory over the Baltimore Ravens and now fly across the country to face the disappointing Chargers. With the victory, the Patriots have won their eighth consecutive game following a bye. This is the 35th regular-season meeting between the two teams with the Patriots leading the series, 18-14-2. The team lost at San Diego two years ago in the last regular-season meeting between the two teams. Quarterback Tom Brady has won three consecutive games against San Diego and is happy to have an old teammate return in time for the middle of the season in wide receiver Deion Branch. He finished with a team-high 98 yards and a touchdown in his first game back since coming over from the Seahawks in a trade. “I’ve been throwing balls to him for a long time,” said Brady. “That chemistry is there and it will be there.” New England has been an underdog just six times over the last three years, notching a 4-2 ATS mark.
The Patriots are 64-73-6 all-time against AFC West opponents, including an 11-10 mark under head coach Bill Belichick. New England faced just one such opponent last year, dropping a 20-17 contest at Denver on October 11. In fact, the franchise has posted a 111-38 regular season record since 2001 under Belichick. He will be tested in preparing his defense for the high-powered passing attack of the Chargers, as the secondary is allowing 273.4 yards per game, which ranks 29th in the league. A matchup to watch will be Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather matched up with Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, especially with the $50,000 fine that was levied against Meriweather for a vicious hit last week.
San Diego returns back to Southern California and is still without a road win after suffering a devastating 20-17 loss at St. Louis last Sunday. The Chargers four losses this season have come to teams that went a combined 15-49 in 2009. “I’m accountable and you know how I feel about it,” said head coach Norv Turner. “It’s all on me. I’m going to do everything I can to get it straightened out.” Playing at home has always done the trick for Turner, as San Diego is 20-6 at Qualcomm Stadium under his direction. Injuries are also starting to take its toll on the club, as 61 players have been used this season. San Diego is 2-4 ATS this year and a perfect 2-0 ATS at home.
The Chargers are a disappointing 2-4 on the year, but still remain relatively close to others in the division, trailing first-place Kansas City by 1 1/2 games. “The AFC West is still right there. We’re still in the thick of it,” said quarterback Philip Rivers. He leads the league with 2,008 passing yards and ranks tied-for-second with 12 touchdown passes. San Diego’s offense may have a field day against the Patriots secondary, but the squad must regain confidence in the running game and feature rookie running back Ryan Mathews.
Bettors will undoubtedly go all-in in playing the Patriots due to their 23-7-2 ATS mark in October and the underdog covering the number in five of the last seven meetings. San Diego steps in with a solid 21-10-3 ATS mark following a straight up loss.
