Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers
Thursday, 11/10/11, 8:20 PM EST, TV: NFL Network
Opening Point Spread: San Diego -7
Current Betting Line: San Diego -7
Opening Total: 51
Current Total: 47.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Oakland will be aiming to snap a two-game losing streak and is seeking a third consecutive victory in its series with the San Diego Chargers. The Raiders dropped a 38-24 contest to the Denver Broncos last time out as seven-point home favorites, but has still managed to out-gain their last three opponents. Quarterback Carson Palmer will be making his second start since being acquired from Cincinnati, playing his second career game at Qualcomm Stadium a venue that is near to where he grew up in Orange County. “I’m really looking forward to having a chance to go out and put better play on film and just go out and be successful,” Palmer stated this week. Oakland is 9-6 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points the last two-plus years.
The Raiders will be playing just their second game since enjoying a bye week, as the entire locker room is looking to make it three in row versus their AFC West rivals. “Any time you play a team in your division, you’ve got to bring it,” commented Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey. Three of the four teams in the division are tied for first place with a 4-4 record, with two of them being featured in this prime-time contest. Offensively, the team will be without the services of running back Darren McFadden, who will miss a second week with a foot injury.
San Diego continues to be the league’s biggest underachieving team, ranking in the top 10 in both total offense and defense. The Chargers will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak, dropping a 45-38 decision to the Green Bay Packers as 5.5-point home underdogs last week, but still won the statistical battle by 92 yards. Quarterback Philip Rivers knows how important this contest is to the team’s season. “There’s three teams deadlocked in the division,” Rivers stated in practice. “We’ve got eight to go. We’ll see what happens.” San Diego is 6-9 ATS versus division opponents the last two-plus years, while the ‘under’ is 8-6 in that span.
The Chargers need to find a way to limit their mistakes, especially Rivers, leading the NFL with 14 interceptions. San Diego may also be somewhat fatigued in playing its third game in 11 days, something Norv Turner will be watching on the sidelines. “I’d like their bodies to feel like it’s Sunday morning when we get going on Thursday,” Turner stated in practice this week. The team has still dominated this series, winning 13 of the last 15 meetings.
Bettors will likely back the Raiders due to their 4-0 ATS mark in this series, while the Chargers are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 games.
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