Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
San Diego / Tennessee Under 47
The Chargers haven't had too many more exciting wins lately than Sunday's. Not only did Nate Kaeding kick a 52-yard field goal with three seconds left for the margin of victory, but the Chargers clinched their fourth consecutive AFC West title.
However, San Diego has to hop on a plane on Thursday and play the Titans on a short week on X-mas day.
Suffice to say, the Chargers are doing everything they can to snag the No. 2 playoff seed in the AFC, and that means a committed effort in Nashville.
But, the Chargers still can't run the ball, plain and simple. LaDainian Tomlinson did average 3.7 yards a carry and did have a long of 13, but it's obvious the Chargers no longer look to their running game as a strength.
That said, Philip Rivers wasn't as sharp as he has been through most of this nine-game winning streak—he threw two picks Sunday; look for the Chargers to put an emphasis on protecting the ball in this game.
Keep in mind that San Diego has seen the total go "under" the posted number in two of three contests this year when playing the roll of underdog.
On the other side of the field: For the Titans, the game plan will be simple. Give the ball to Chris Johnson and get out of the way; the Chargers' defensive weak spot is stopping the running game.
The Titans were sharp on the defensive side as well, playing a diverse team that utilizes the "wild-cat" and an ever improving young QB; Chad Henne threw 349 yards against the Titans, but Tennessee picked him off three times to help atone for such a substantial yardage total.
Remember; Tennessee has seen the total go "under" the posted number in four of six contests this season when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
Bottom line: Here is another powerful "under" trend that the Chargers exhibit; San Diego has seen the total go "under" the posted number in five of six games where the total is between 42 1/2 and 49 points and over the last two years its seen it go "under" the number in nine of eleven games under the same circumstances.
Both teams are coming off emotional victories. Both teams are playing on a short week. This game is big for both teams.
Expect the defenses to be the main story-line in this one as the offenses look to limit their mistakes; when you take into account all of the above factors, the sharp money in this one is on the UNDER!
10* UNDER
Tony George
LA Lakers -4
Cleveland struggles against teams with an inside post and large frontcourt, giving up 52 in the paint the other night to Sacramento.. That is the difference in this game and Ron Artest will contain James on defense. Better team in a traditional game they play in at home.
Play 1 Unit on LA
Evan Altemus
LA Lakers -5
The Cavaliers are being priced like they are one of the top two or three teams in the league, but I don’t agree with that assessment at all. Cleveland is a step below Boston, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver, and probably Orlando right now. Other sharp bettors have agreed as well, betting this line up from -4 to -5 almost immediately after being released. Los Angeles has shown several times this season that they are arguably the best team in the NBA, especially at home. Quality teams such as Boston, Dallas, and Houston have all beaten the Cavaliers this season. There is added value to this play because of the recent success that Cleveland has had recently, as well as on their current road trip. Look for the Lakers to get a dominant home win and point spread cover.
4 UNIT SELECTION
R.A.W. FOOTBALL
3* - San Diego Chargers
2* - Phoenix
2* - UNLV
Lekota Sports
3* College of Charleston
3* San Diego Chargers
Craig Davis
40 Dimer Tennessee Buy The 1/2
Don Wallace Sports
Denver -1 over Portland
Pittsburgh -2 over North Carolina
San Diego +3 over Tennessee
Kelso
25 Units Chargers (+3) over Titans
Sportsbetsnow
2 Units Titans -1
2 Units Nuggets -1.5
Black Widow
6* Widow Wiseguy Chargers/Titans AFC GAME OF THE MONTH on San Diego +3
The Chargers have won 9 straight games, and for them to be catching points tonight against Tennessee is a complete gift on Christmas Day. Tennessee just lost two more key players on defense, losing LB's Keith Bulluck and David Thornton for the season in their 27-24 win over the Dolphins last week. The Titans gave up 349 passing yards to Chad Henne in the game, and Philip Rivers has to be licking his chops at the opportunity to face this banged-up Tennessee defense. The Titans are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning record. Though the Titans are 7-1 in their last 8 games, they have done most of their damage against losing teams. The Chargers are 20-6-3 ATS in their last 29 games as an underdog. San Diego is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 meetings with Tennessee. The Chargers are 12-0 SU & 10-3 ATS in December under Norv Turner, and have won the L5 games between these teams, both SU & ATS. Take San Diego and the points as they continue to roll.
GREAT LAKES SPORTS
4* PHOENIX
DESTROY THE BOOK SPORTS
4* Tenn -3
4* UNLV -5
Al Demarco
Tenn/SD Un 47.5
Scott Delaney
60-Dime SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Before I get into this analysis, let me let you know I want you to buy a half point in this game and take 3-1/2 points with the Bolts. It is important we play this underdog with the extra half point the oddsmakers are too cheap to give us. It's the better value when playing the three-point underdog on the highway.
Now, in looking at two of the hottest teams in the NFL, I have to side with the better overall football team.
San Diego comes in after squeaking past Cincinnati 27-24 last Sunday on a 52-yard Nate Kaeding field goal in the waning seconds. It was an emotional game for the Bengals, who were playing with heavy hearts for the late Chris Henry. Thus, I wasn't surprised the game the Bengals gave the Bolts ... aside from the fact they've been playing well all season.
With the victory, San Diego extended its win streak to nine games - six of which it has covered.
And the culprit in my opinion tonight will be Philip Rivers, who continues to lead the league’s fifth-best passing attack (268.9 yards per game), with his 3,891 passing yards and 25 touchdown strikes. Tonight he'll find it rather easy to pass against a porous pass defense that ranks 31st in the league.
Overall, the Titans' stop unit ranks 26th, and that won't cut it against a Chargers team that is fourth in scoring (27.8 points per game), and that has put up at least 27 points six times during their current nine-game win streak.
Most certainly, the Titans are not taking on the same caliber of team they've faced the past two weeks - the Rams and Dolphins.
The Chargers have won 17 straight December games - covering 11 of them - and haven't lost in the final month of the year since the 2005 season finale. The Bolts are also on additional ATS upticks of 5-2 overall, 4-1 after a non-cover, 4-1 with a suitcase in hand, 23-6 when catching points and 9-3 in December.
Conversely, the Titans come into this Christmas Day clash mired in ATS ruts of 1-8 against winning teams, 3-7 as the installed favorite, 2-6 off a non-cover and 3-7 in intraconference play.
The Chargers get their first-round bye with a win tonight, and I'm banking on them challenging for the outright win.
Inside Corner
3 Units San Diego Chargers +3