Bolts ready for Chiefs
By AllStar.com
The San Diego Chargers are coming off a loss on Monday night against the Denver Broncos, where the talk was “must win.’ Yet even though the Chargers talked all week about beating the undefeated Denver Broncos, they couldn’t, and therefore their chances of making the post season drastically took a change for the worse.
Head coach Norv Turner now in his third season at the helm has struggled to reach the (14-2) record former coach Marty Schottenheimer had in his last season with the Chargers before being fired. But unlike Schottenhiemer, Turner has won in the playoffs. First, reaching the AFC Championship game, where they lost to the undefeated New England Patriots and then in 2008, losing to eventual Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh.
Although the Chargers have gained playoff wins over the Colts the last two seasons, it seems every year they have a tough time securing a playoff spot.
Last season it took a miracle finish and 8-8 record to reach the post season. This year at (2-3) it looks to be an even tougher road for San Diego, assuming only one team from the AFC West will earn one of the six playoff positions.
With the 34-23 loss to the Broncos at home, the Chargers have now lost two games in a row, having fallen to the Steelers on the road, a week before the bye week.
The Chargers can spin the three losses by saying all three opponents (Ravens, Steelers, and Broncos) are playoff teams. But NFL experts ask you, how can you be considered an elite team, if you never beat the elite teams?
After two straight humbling defeats, the Chargers now have to look in the mirror to see if they’ll pull up their boot straps and fight or throw in the towel? The schedule benefits the Chargers over the next two weeks with a game this Sunday against the (1-5) Chiefs and next week against the (2-4) Raiders.
“I know it doesn’t look good right now but we can still bounce back,” Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said.
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The Chiefs are coming off their first victory of the season and look to beat a Chargers’ team they almost beat twice in 2008. In fact both Chiefs losses to San Diego were by just one point.
The Chiefs (1-5) ended a nine-game losing streak last Sunday with a 14-6 win over the Washington Redskins; giving head coach Todd Haley his first victory.
“It’s a big weight off your shoulders,” Chiefs defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey said. “You don’t want to be one of those teams without a win. We want to build on it and, hopefully, we can come out next week and get another one. It’s real nice to know that we’re heading in the right direction and all the work that we’re doing is paying off,” Dorsey said. “It’s nice to know the things we’re doing, the practices, the meetings, are paying off.”
Haley is hoping the winning will become contagious and now looks to get his first win inside the division. Counting an 0-4 exhibition record, Kansas City had been 0-9 under Haley and general manager Scott Pioli.
“I think it’s a big test for us,” Haley said. “It’s the next step in the development of this team. It’s a problem for some teams and not for others. I just think it’s very important that we understand the task at hand and having another very good week of practice and building on this performance.”
The Kansas City defense will need to step up this weekend against a Chargers’ team that has a lot of scoring threats, including Pro Bowl quarterback Philip Rivers. Rivers continues to be steady for the Chargers despite getting pressured much more often than coach Norv Turner would like. He’s been sacked 15 times this season, including a career-high five against the Broncos.
“Philip does a good job in the pocket in finding the soft areas,” Turner said. “We’ve got to do some things where we can get the ball out quicker to help him, based on what people are doing to us.”
Rivers has still managed to throw for 1,519 yards and seven TDs while getting picked off three times. He isn’t getting nearly as much help from San Diego’s running game as he has in past seasons.
Future Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson is a shadow of what he used to be. After missing two games with a sprained ankle, he ran for just 70 yards against the Broncos. In fact, San Diego is tied for last in the NFL in rushing with 57.6 yards per game.
The Chargers defense has struggled this season since losing All-Pro nose tackle Jamal Williams for the season; the linebackers cant tackle, they cant rush the quarterback, and the secondary has been getting torched.
Opposing quarterbacks have completed 74.6 percent of their passes for 568 yards and five touchdowns without throwing an interception in their last two games versus San Diego. Cassel hasn’t been picked off in his last four games while throwing for six TDs.
Kansas City is ranked 25th in that category, gaining an average of 98.0 yards, but it had 110 against Washington.
BETTING TRENDS
Chargers are 1-4 ATS in their last five road games.
Chargers are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games as a favorite.
Chargers are 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall.
Chiefs are 5-1 ATS in their last six vs. AFC West.
Chiefs are 4-12 ATS in their last 16 home games.
HEAD TO HEAD
Chargers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven meetings.
Chargers are 3-8-1 ATS in their last 12 meetings in Kansas City.
Underdog is 11-4-1 ATS in their last 16 meetings
Pittsburgh welcomes the Vikings
By AllStar.com
There are some good games on the week 7 schedule, but this one is our favorite. A great test for one of the best in the AFC, as they take on one of the best in the NFC. Pittsburgh is the favorite, but Brett Favre likes playing in the cold weather. No matter who wins, this game should be fun to watch. Troy Polamalu is back for the Steelers, and should shore up a pass defense that has struggled in his absence.
Quarterbacks
Favre is an amazing story. He is playing dynamite football at the age of 40, and when you consider he is coming off surgery, joined a new team, and had almost no training camp; it makes the story even better. He has been the MVP of the Vikes to this point, and could have another big day. We expect the Steelers to load the box in an attempt to stop Adrian Peterson. If this happens, Favre will again look to Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice, and his new favorite target TE Visanthe Shiancoe. Favre is happy to have RT Phil Loadholt back in the lineup after an ankle injury kept him out of part of week 3, and all of week 4.
Fast Fact: Favre is 6-0 for the first time in his career
Ben Roethlisberger is off to a blazing start, completing 73% of his passes. The Vikings defense is strong against the run, so don’t be surprised to see Big Ben busy again. Minnesota CB Antoine Winfield is listed as questionable with an ankle injury, if he misses the game Roethlisberger will look for Hines Ward even more than usual. We also like the combo of Roethlisberger to TE Heath Miller, and we expect them to connect against a Vikes D that has had its problems covering the TE position.
FF: Roethlisberger is 9-1 against the NFC at Heinz Field.
Running Backs:
After a couple of slow weeks, Adrian Peterson returned to form last week against an impressive Ravens defense. Peterson rushed for 143 yards in the win. Don’t put too much into the Steelers holding teams to 75 yds rushing, especially when you consider the record of the teams the Steelers have beaten is 4-19. Peterson will need to have a typical AP day to take the pressure off of Favre. Chester Taylor doesn’t play as big of a role as he did in years past, but is still a quality back, and is dangerous in the open field.
FF: since 2007 Peterson leads all backs with 3725 yds, 529 more than second place Clinton Portis.
What a difference a couple of weeks make. Rashard Mendenhall was firmly in Coach Mike Tomlin’s doghouse in week 3 because of attitude issues. Due to an injury to Willie Parker, Mendenhall got a chance to start against the Chargers, and made the most of it rushing for more than 160 yards, and 2 TD’s. Since that time the job has become his, even with the return of Parker. Minnesota is strong against the run, holding backs like Ryan Grant, and Ray Rice to under 80 yards rushing. Willie Parker is healthy, but it remains to be seen what his role will be moving forward.
FF: Mendenhall has scored a rushing TD in three straight.
Wide Receivers:
Brett Favre has been impressive using all his weapons. 4 guys have over 20 catches (Sidney Rice, Bernard Berrian, Chester Taylor, and Percy Harvin) 3 of the 4 have 2 TD catches, and we haven’t even mentioned the guy who has become a Favre favorite. TE Visanthe Shiancoe who leads the team with 5 TD catches. Harvin is battling a bad shoulder, and the cold weather won’t help in the healing process. Look for more of the same, but we are becoming fans of Rice, whose speed allows Favre and Childress to stretch the defense, thus opening up running lanes for Peterson.
You don’t complete 75% of your passes without having some quality receivers, and Roethlisberger has plenty. Minnesota has the best pass rush the Steelers have faced, so we look for a lot of passes in the flat to TE Heath Miller, in the slant to Antonio Holmes, out of the backfield to Mendenhall in hopes of setting up a big play to Hines Ward. Antoine Winfield’s status will play a big role in the Pittsburgh offensive game plan. If he can’t go, the plan is to try to score early and often. Make Minnesota play from behind, force Favre to throw, and keep the ball out of Peterson’s hands.
Defense:
For a defense that gets as much hype as Minnesota’s does, there are some numbers that stand out for the wrong reasons. Minnesota is allowing almost 350 yards per game in team offense, and cannot shut teams down in the 4th quarter, as was the case last week against Baltimore. DE Jared Allen has been impressive, leading the NFC with 7.5 sacks, but could be slowed down on the awful turf at Heinz Field. Kevin Williams leads all NFL DT’s with 4 sacks.
FF: Minnesota is allowing 3rd down conversions only 34% of the time.
Pittsburgh should be much improved on Defense with Troy Polamalu returning. The Steelers have struggled in the 4th quarter, but that should change with their leader back on the field. The game plan is simple, don’t let Peterson have a huge day, keep the ball in Favre’s hands, and hope James Harrison and Lawrence Timmons can force him into enough mistakes to allow you to win the football game.
FF: Pittsburgh has won 9 straight at home
Injuries:
Min: WR-Percy Harvin/shoulder (questionable) CB- Antoine Winfield/ankle (doubtful)
Pit: S-Troy Polamalu/knee (probable) LB-Andre Frazier/thigh (questionable)
Betting Trends:
The Vikings are 4-0 ATS in their last four road games
The Steelers are 6-2 ATS in their last eight home games
The Steelers are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games
The OVER is 4-0 in the Vikings last four games
The OVER is 4-0 in the Steelers last four games
Tips and Trends
Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants
Cardinals: The Cardinals have covered six of their last eight road contests, including both this season at Jacksonville and Seattle. But Arizona failed to win in five regular-season East Coast games last season before upsetting Carolina in the playoffs. Arizona has lost seven of its last eight road games to the Giants. Kurt Warner can attack a battered New York secondary – if given time. That may prove difficult considering the Giants’ fierce pass rushers and the Cardinals’ protection problems particularly at left tackle. Warner was 32-for-41 for 276 yards and two touchdowns in leading Arizona past Seattle, 27-3, last week. Star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald matched a career-high in that game with 13 receptions, which catching his league-high fifth touchdown. The Giants defeated the Cardinals, 37-29, at Arizona last season. The Cardinals are 39-17 (69 percent) to the over in their past 56 road games.
The Over is 16-5 in Arizona’s last 21 games in October.
The Over has cashed in 20 of Arizona’s last 28 games versus a team with a winning record.
Key Injuries - Running back Beanie Wells (hip) is questionable.
Wide receiver Anquan Bolden (ankle) is probable.
PROJECTED SCORE: 20
Giants (-7, O/U 46): The Giants’ 5-0 start, their first since 1990, came crashing down in a 48-27 loss at New Orleans last week. The key question is how will the Giants react? New York was an underdog to the Saints. The Giants are 18-7-1 against the spread the past 26 times they’ve been favored. New York ranks fifth in the NFL in rushing, while the Cardinals have the 31st-ranked rushing attack. The Cardinals, however, own the best rush defense limiting foes to 59.6 yards running per game, although just one of their opponents ranked in the top half of the league in rushing. That could leave things up to Eli Manning and Steve Smith, who is tied for the league-lead in receptions with 41. His 525 receiving yards top the conference. The Giants were averaging three sacks per game until coming up empty against New Orleans.
The Giants are 33-16-2 ATS during their past 51 games.
The Over is 11-5-1 in New York’s last 17 home games.
Wide receiver Mario Manningham (back) is questionable.
Linebacker Michael Boley (knee) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 27 (OVER - Total of the Day)