NFL Predictions Week 7: San Diego Chargers vs. New York Jets, AFC Betting Preview

San Diego Chargers at New York Jets
Sunday, 10/23/11, 1:00 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: New York -1.5
Current Betting Line: San Diego -2
Opening Total: 45.5
Current Total: 43.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Chargers vs. Broncos NFL Preview — The San Diego Chargers offense should have all weapons available on Sunday against the New York Jets

San Diego is coming off its bye week and enters on a three-game winning streak, while plenty of motivation has been added to this game due to New York head coach Rex Ryan’s comments on Norv Turner. “I think I would’ve had a couple rings,” commented Ryan earlier this week about the talent that the Chargers have had. “I’m telling you, those teams were loaded, there’s no question about it.” Both coaches have spoken about the comments over the phone, but clearly its a rallying cry for this locker room. San Diego is 18-19 ATS over the last two-plus season and the ‘over’ is 20-16 in those contests.

The Chargers are a hard team to figure out due to winning their four games by a combined 25 points, as quarterback Philip Rivers is one of the more talented players in the NFL. He’s struggled a bit this year in throwing seven interceptions, while also being held to a season-low 250 yards against the Denver Broncos last time out. San Diego hasn’t played on the road in this series since 2005, but dropped a 17-14 decision last year as 7.5-point home favorites.

New York overcame a horrific start in capturing a 24-6 win over the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football as touchdown home favorites, snapping a three-game losing streak in the process. Much of the discussion in the locker room has been centered around getting a win before heading into a bye week. “My rookie year, we lost to Miami right before the bye week and that’s hard, going home to see your family and stuff right after a loss.” New York is 11-5 ATS when the line is in between a field goal on both sides, while the ‘over’ is 13-3 in those contests.

The Jets will likely continue to try and jumpstart their rushing attack, facing a Chargers team that is allowing 4.6 yards per carry. On the defensive end, New York will likely face San Diego tight end Antonio Gates, who has returned to the practice field this week as the team comes off a bye week of its own. Sanchez will need to build off his Monday night performance, throwing for 201 yards, which was a pleasant sight to see after being held under 200 in three of the previous four games. Offensively, the team will need to sustain drives in keeping Sunday’s opponent off the field, but it’s last in the NFL with 35.1 percent of drives resulting in three-and-outs.