Oakland Raiders vs. San Diego Chargers
Oddsmakers currently have the Chargers listed as 10-point favorites versus the Raiders, while the game's total is sitting at 42½.
The Raiders lost to Kansas City 20-13 as a 3-point favorite last week. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (41.5).
Justin Fargas rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries for Oakland, while JaMarcus Russell threw for 132 yards with no touchdowns.
The Chargers defeated Atlanta 22-16 as a 5.5-point favorite last week. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (48).
Philip River threw for 149 yards with no touchdowns for San Diego, while LaDainian Tomlinson was held to 24 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.
Current streak:
San Diego has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Oakland: 3-9 SU, 5-7 ATS
San Diego: 4-8 SU, 4-7-1 ATS
Oakland most recently:
When playing in December are 1-9
When playing on grass are 3-7
After being outgained are 3-7
When playing within the division are 4-6
San Diego most recently:
When playing in December are 10-0
When playing on grass are 4-6
After being outgained are 4-6
When playing within the division are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oakland's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Oakland's last 8 games when playing on the road against San Diego
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Oakland's last 8 games when playing San Diego
Oakland is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
San Diego is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oakland
San Diego is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Oakland
San Diego is 10-1 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Oakland
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of San Diego's last 8 games
Next up:
Oakland home to New England, Sunday, December 14
San Diego at Kansas City, Sunday, December 14
OAKLAND (3 - 9) at SAN DIEGO (4 - 8)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 17-38 ATS (-24.8 Units) in December games since 1992.
OAKLAND is 23-50 ATS (-32.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1992.
OAKLAND is 11-28 ATS (-19.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1992.
OAKLAND is 16-36 ATS (-23.6 Units) in the last 4 weeks of the regular season since 1992.
SAN DIEGO is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) as a home favorite of 7.5 to 10 points over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 4-1 against the spread versus OAKLAND over the last 3 seasons
SAN DIEGO is 5-0 straight up against OAKLAND over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Oakland at San Diego
Oakland: 12-4 Under at San Diego
San Diego: 9-1 ATS as a home favorite of 7.5 to 10 points
OAKLAND vs. SAN DIEGO
Oakland is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Oakland is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
San Diego is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Oakland
San Diego is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Oakland
Thursday's NFL Capsule
OPENING LINE - Chargers by 10 1/2.
RECORD VS. SPREAD - Oakland 5-7; San Diego 4-7-1.
SERIES RECORD - Raiders lead 54-41-2.
LAST MEETING - Chargers 28, Raiders 18, Sept. 28, 2008.
LAST WEEK - Raiders lost to Chiefs 20-13; Chargers lost to Falcons 22-16.
RAIDERS OFFENSE - OVERALL (29), RUSH (10), PASS (32)
RAIDERS DEFENSE - OVERALL (25), RUSH (29), PASS (8)
CHARGERS OFFENSE - OVERALL (15), RUSH (26), PASS (9)
CHARGERS DEFENSE - OVERALL (27), RUSH (15), PASS (31)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES - Despite losing 10 straight to Chargers, Raiders still lead series by comfortable margin. ... Last time Raiders beat Chargers was 34-31 in OT at Oakland on Sept. 28, 2003. Back then, Rich Gannon was Oakland's QB and Bill Callahan was coach. San Diego had Drew Brees at QB and Marty Schottenheimer as coach. ... Raiders are 3-0 against Chargers in Thursday night games. In 12 career starts, QB JaMarcus Russell has completed 163 of 308 passes for 1,953 yards with eight TDs vs. five INTs and a 74.5 passer rating. ... Norv Turner's record in three NFL stops has dipped to 73-95-1. He was 9-23 with Oakland from 2004-05 and is 15-13 in two seasons with Chargers. ... Turner is 4-1 against Raiders. ... Two-time defending AFC West champion Chargers are three games behind Denver with four to play. ... LaDainian Tomlinson dominates Raiders like no other team. He averages 121 yards rushing (1,815 total) against Oakland and has nine 100-yard games against them. ... For his career, L.T. averages 106.3 yards rushing per game in December and has 100-yard games in eight of past 10 December contests.
Louisville Cardinals vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Oddsmakers currently have the Scarlet Knights listed as 10-point favorites versus the Cardinals, while the game's total is sitting at 51½.
Louisville quarterback Hunter Cantwell threw for 276 yards with a touchdown but also threw three interceptions in a 35-21 loss to West Virginia in Week 13.
The Cardinals did not cover the 7.5-point spread, while the final score played over the day's posted total of 49.
Mike Teel threw for 359 yards and Rutgers became bowl eligible by beating Army 30-3 in Week 13.
The Scarlet Knights covered the 17.5-point spread, while the final score played UNDER the day's posted total of 43.5.
Current streak:
Louisville has lost 4 straight games.
Rutgers has won 5 straight games.
Team records:
Louisville: 5-6 SU, 4-6 ATS
Rutgers: 6-5 SU, 6-4 ATS
Louisville most recently:
When playing in December are 5-5
When playing on turf are 5-5
After being outgained are 4-6
When playing within the conference are 3-7
Rutgers most recently:
When playing in December are 1-2
When playing on turf are 5-5
After outgaining opponent are 6-4
When playing within the conference are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Louisville's last 9 games on the road
Louisville is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Louisville is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Louisville is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Rutgers is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Rutgers is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Rutgers is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
LOUISVILLE (5 - 6) at RUTGERS (6 - 5)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
RUTGERS is 1-1 against the spread versus LOUISVILLE over the last 3 seasons
RUTGERS is 1-1 straight up against LOUISVILLE over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Louisville at Rutgers
Louisville: 6-0 Over off bye week
Rutgers: 8-1 ATS when the total is between 49.5 and 56
LOUISVILLE vs. RUTGERS
Louisville is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Louisville is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Rutgers is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Rutgers is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
What bettors need to know: Raiders at Chargers
By T.O. WHENHAM
Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers
Line movement
The game doesn't look like much on paper and that is being reflected in the lower than usual betting volume. The Chargers, despite their woes, have still attracted a small majority of the betting action - about 53 percent of bets.
The line has remained reasonably stable at 10 points, though it can be found a half-point on either side of that key number in places. Both teams have failed to cover in seven of their games, but San Diego has one advantage: they have covered nine of the last 10 meetings between the teams.
Total
The line opened at 43 and has since moved to 42.5. Oakland has gone under in five straight games and seven of the last eight. San Diego has also gone over just once in the last eight, though they are only on a four-game under streak.
Weather
It is going to be a pleasant December San Diego evening. Partly cloudy, but with virtually no chance of precipitation. It'll be cool, but only in San Diego terms - 55 degrees is like summer in Green Bay.
Injuries
San Diego only has one key injury, but it's a doozie. Shawne Merriman's absence is being blamed for pretty much everything that is wrong with the team. Oakland has many more injuries, but none have an impact anywhere near Merriman's.
The biggest problem is probably DE Derrick Burgess. He has been struggling with tricep, knee and ankle injuries and is day-to-day. That would have been a much bigger problem a couple of years ago - even healthy, he is just a shadow of the player who had 16 sacks in 2005.
JaMarcus Russell
It is far too early to call last year's top pick a bust though there is a temptation to do so. A trip to San Diego may be just what he needs.
His two best games in terms of quarterback rating both came against Denver. His best passing total, 277 yards, was against San Diego. What do the Broncos and Chargers have in common? Impossibly bad defences for supposedly good teams.
Rushing problems
If I had written this article three months ago, the storyline I would have focused on would have been the rushing battle - the biggest star in the league against the biggest star of the draft. Times have changed.
LaDainian Tomlinson is having a passable year for a mortal, but nothing like he should be having. He has struggled with his health even though he hasn't missed a game.
He has fewer yards per carry compared to last year and is averaging less than 1.5 yards than during his peak. He's on pace to break 1,000 yards, but not by much. He would need nine rushing TDs in his last four games just to tie his total of 15 last year and that was way down from 28 the year before.
It's hard to know if he has caught the general malaise infecting the entire team or if his 29 years are catching up to him. One theory that keeps popping up is that he misses Michael Turner, but Darren Sproles is putting up numbers in the range of Turner’s last year and he is actually gaining more per carry than Turner did.
Darren McFadden hasn't exactly redefined the game for Oakland. He has only been the third most effective rookie running back out of Arkansas - Felix Jones was far more dangerous before getting injured and Peyton Hillis has been far more impactful in his last three games for Denver than McFadden has been at any time for Oakland.
Trends of questionable significance
A few trends worth noting:
- The Chargers have gone under in their last four games on grass, while the Raiders have gone under in their last five.
- Seven of the last 10 games between these teams played under.
- The Chargers are 0-4 ATS in their last four games following a straight up loss. The Chargers are 4-1 ATS in the last five years in Week 14, while the Raiders are 0-5 ATS. After passing for less than 150, the Chargers are 4-1 ATS in the next game. San Diego is a closing team - they are 5-0 ATS in their last five in December.
Oakland at San Diego
By Brad Young
The AFC West, the worst division in pro football, will take center stage for Thursday Night Football when Oakland travels to San Diego. Three of the teams in this division have a losing record, while Denver leads the pack with a dismal 7-5 ledger. The Broncos have been outscored by opponents this season, 319-292, highlighting how low the bar is in the AFC West.
San Diego was the preseason favorite, but currently reside four games under .500 even though the Chargers have outscored their opponents, 290-274. Oakland is six games under the break-even mark, getting outscored by the opposition, 265-172. However, the Raiders do not reside in the AFC West basement even though they are coming off a loss to cellar dwelling Kansas City.
The numbers are not flattering no matter where you look concerning Oakland (3-9 straight up, 5-7 against the spread) and San Diego (4-8 SU, 4-7 ATS). The Raiders have struggled to a 1-4 ATS ledger when listed as a road underdog, while the Chargers are a disappointing 2-4 ATS as a home favorite.
Caesars Palace installed San Diego as a 9 ½-point home ‘chalk’ over Oakland, with the total set at 43. The NFL Network will provide coverage of Thursday Night Football beginning at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Oakland fell to Kansas City last weekend as a three-point home favorite, 20-13. The Raiders had covered back-to-back outings before facing the Chiefs. The combined 33 points failed to eclipse the 41½-point closing total, enabling the ‘under’ to cash the fifth consecutive contest.
Oakland finished the contest trailing Kansas City in first downs (17-14), rushing yards (145-139), passing yards (156-132), turnovers forced (2-1) and time of possession (35:11-24:49). Quarterback JaMarcus Russell was 10-of-28 passing for 132 yards, while Justin Fargas had 18 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown.
San Diego has dropped three games in a row SU and consecutive outings ATS after losing to Atlanta last weekend as a six-point home ‘chalk,’ 22-16. The Chargers are now 1-5 SU and ATS their last six games. The combined 38 points failed to topple the 48 ½-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ improve to 7-1 the previous eight contests.
San Diego won the turnover battle against the Falcons (3-0), but trailed in first downs (20-13), rushing yards (141-70), passing yards (207-131) and time of possession (34:58-25:02). Signal caller Philip Rivers completed 17-of-30 passes for 131 yards, while running back LaDainian Tomlinson was limited to 14 carries for 24 yards and a score.
The Chargers have dominated Oakland the past few seasons, going 9-0 SU and 8-1 ATS after prevailing September 28 as an 8 ½-point road favorite, 28-18. The combined 46 points slithered ‘over’ the 45-point closing total, helping the ‘over’ cash the second consecutive contest in this series.
Oakland offensive lineman Cooper Carlisle (ankle) is ‘questionable’ versus the Chargers, while center Jake Grove (calf) and linebacker Ricky Brown (groin) are ‘doubtful.’
San Diego offensive lineman Kris Dielman (flu), wide receiver Malcom Floyd (shoulder) and defensive back Steve Gregory (stinger) are ‘probable’ against the Raiders, while linebacker Marques Harris (hamstring) and defensive back Clinton Hart (stinger) are ‘questionable.’ Fullback Mike Tolbert (shoulder) is ‘doubtful.’
Oakland follows this contest with a two-game homestand against New England and Houston, while San Diego goes on a two-game road trip versus Kansas City and Tampa Bay.
Thursday’s forecast for San Diego, California calls for mostly cloudy skies, with a high of 64 degrees and a low of 53. There is a 10 percent chance of precipitation.
vegasinsider.com.
Oakland (3-9, 5-7 ATS) at San Diego (4-8, 4-7-1 ATS)
The Chargers, who have all but played their way out of playoff contention with three straight losses, take on the AFC West rival Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium.
San Diego lost to Atlanta 22-16 Sunday as a 6½-point home chalk for its third consecutive SU setback and second straight ATS defeat. QB Philip Rivers (17 of 30, 149 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs) was sacked three times and had the least-productive home game of his career as the Chargers generated a measly 201 total yards. The San Diego defense allowed 348 yards, and although the Chargers won the turnover battle 3-0, they finished with a 10-minute time-of-possession deficit.
One week after a stunning 31-10 victory at first-place Denver, Oakland came crashing back to earth in a 20-13 loss to one-win Kansas City as a three-point home favorite, halting a two-game ATS uptick. QB JaMarcus Russell (10 of 28, 132 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs) was ineffective, and although the Raiders finished with just 30 fewer yards than the Chiefs (301-271), they held the ball for less than 25 minutes. Oakland also lost the turnover battle 2-1, including a fumble on a fake field-goal attempt that was returned 67 yards for a second-quarter touchdown.
San Diego is riding a 10-game winning streak against the Raiders (9-1 ATS, all as the favorite), including a 28-18 victory in September as a nine-point road chalk. In that victory, the Chargers rallied from a 15-0 halftime deficit and got the spread-cover after RB LaDainian Tomlinson broke off a 41-yard TD run with a little more than a minute to play. The road team is 4-1 ATS in the last five contests in this rivalry, but San Diego is on a 10-1 ATS run overall and is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings at Qualcomm.
The Chargers have scored 20 points or fewer in four straight games and six of their last eight, and over the past three contests they’re averaging just 15.3 points and 269.3 total yards per game. By comparison, Oakland is netting 19.7 points and 258.3 total yards in its last three games. On the defensive side of the ball, the Raiders are giving up 22.1 points and 351 total yards per game this season (192.2 passing ypg), while the Chargers are surrendering 22.8 points and 367.6 total yards per outing (260.2 passing ypg).
The Chargers are on a 1-5 SU and ATS freefall and are on an 0-4 ATS skid following a SU loss, but they still carry positive ATS trends of 9-4 at home, 5-0 in December, 16-5-1 against AFC foes and 20-7-4 versus the AFC West. The Raiders are actually 7-1 ATS in their last eight divisional road games, but otherwise they remain on lengthy pointspread declines of 17-39 in December, 18-39-1 after a non-cover, 19-40-1 against losing teams and 22-45-1 after a SU loss.
The under for San Diego is on stretches of 4-0 overall, 4-0 at home and 6-0 against the AFC, and the under for Oakland is on runs of 5-0 overall, 4-1 against AFC teams, 16-7 versus the AFC West and 46-22-4 after a SU loss. Finally, in this rivalry, the total has stayed low in six of the last eight meetings overall and seven of the last eight in San Diego.
ATS ADVANTAGE: SAN DIEGO and UNDER
Louisville (5-6, 4-6 ATS) at Rutgers (6-5, 7-3 ATS)
Two teams heading in opposite directions close out the regular season when Rutgers plays host to Louisville in the Big East finale for both teams.
Rutgers flattened Army 30-3 two weekends ago as an 18-point chalk for its fifth consecutive SU victory. The Scarlet Knights have cashed in their last four games, outscoring those foes by a combined total of 168-70. Against Army, Rutgers racked up a 521-219 bulge in total yards, with senior QB Mike Teel (23 of 33, 359 yards, 1 TD) leading the way. Teel has thrown 13 TDs against five INTs during the Knights’ five-game winning streak
Louisville fell to West Virginia 35-21 two Saturdays ago catching 6½ points at home and is now on an 0-4 SU and ATS slide. The Cardinals kept pace in the yardage department, gaining 474 yards while allowing 498, but they turned the ball over five times, including three INTs from QB Hunter Cantwell (27 of 47, 276 yards, 1 TD), who now has as many INTs this season (15) as TD passes. Louisville also allowed West Virginia to rush for a whopping 376 yards.
The SU winner is 10-0 ATS in Louisville’s 10 lined games this season and 12-0 ATS going back to last year.
Louisville is 2-1 SU and ATS in three Big East meetings with Rutgers, including a 41-38 home win as a 2½-point favorite last season. The home team won and covered all three meetings.
The Scarlet Knights are on a bevy of pointspread streaks, including 6-1 overall, 5-1 in Big East play, 4-1 after an ATS win and 14-6 against losing teams. The Cardinals are on a 5-0 ATS run coming off a bye, but otherwise they’re on pointspread slides of 1-4 against winning teams, 2-5 after a SU loss, 5-12 on grass and 3-7 after a double-digit home defeat.
The over for Rutgers is on runs of 11-1 following a bye, 6-1 in Thursday contests and 10-4 after a SU win, and the over for Louisville is on tears of 6-0 after a week off, 5-0 on Thursday, 5-1 after a SU loss and 5-1 after a non-cover. Also, the last two meetings in this rivalry have topped the total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: RUTGERS and OVER
Gametimepicks.com
NFL Preview - Oakland (3-9) at San Diego (4-8)
By Tony Moss, NFL Editor
(Sports Network) - The Oakland Raiders entered the 2008 season hoping they could challenge the standing of the San Diego Chargers in the AFC West.
As the two prepare to face off on Thursday night at Qualcomm Stadium, the Raiders have achieved that goal. Too bad the position they'll be vying for in Week 14 is second place in the worst division in football.
Of all the negative on-field stories in the NFL this season, the consistently poor play of the Chargers has perhaps been the most stunning.
A consensus favorite to run away with the division this season, one year after going 11-5 and advancing to the AFC Championship Game, Norv Turner's club has instead endured a precipitous fall from grace that has all but eliminated the team's chance to return to the postseason.
San Diego's 22-16 home loss to the upstart Atlanta Falcons last Sunday was the team's fifth defeat in its last six games, with the only victory over that stretch a narrow 20-19 affair over the two-win Kansas City Chiefs.
The Bolts are 4-8 in their second season under Turner, and after averaging more than 11 wins per season between 2004 and 2007, are now just one defeat away from their first losing record since going 4-12 in 2003.
A sharp decline in production from future Hall-of-Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson has been San Diego's most identifiable problem during the campaign.
After rushing for at least 1,200 yards in each of his first seven seasons in the league, Tomlinson (794 yards) is on pace for just 1,059 in 2008. The perennial All-Pro's 3.7 yards per carry are the fewest since his rookie season of 2001, and he is on pace for fewer than 10 touchdowns after averaging better than 18 per year over his first seven seasons.
The 29-year-old Tomlinson, who has repeatedly claimed that his health is not an issue, comes off a week in which he was held to 24 yards on 14 carries by the Falcons, and has reached 100 rushing yards just twice all season.
The San Diego defense has not done the team many favors either. The Chargers enter Week 14 ranked 27th in the league in total defense (367.6 yards per game), 31st against the pass (260.6 yards per game), and only one team has allowed more than the team's 21 touchdown passes surrendered.
Like the Chargers, the Raiders have also suffered through a miserable 2008 campaign, although theirs comes as far less of a surprise.
Last week, Oakland failed to follow up a stunning 31-10 win at first-place Denver the Sunday before, falling by a 20-13 count at home to help the Chiefs snap a seven-game losing streak.
The loss clinched the Silver and Black's sixth consecutive losing season, and the 3-9 Raiders are now just one defeat away from a sixth straight year of double-digit losses.
Since reaching the Super Bowl following the 2002 season, the Raiders are 22-70 (.239), the worst record in the league over that span. Interim head coach Tom Cable, who has gone 2-5 since taking over following Lane Kiffin's firing, is the fifth coach the once-proud team has employed in the past six seasons.
SERIES HISTORY
Oakland has a 54-41-2 record in its all-time regular season series with San Diego, but has lost the last 10 in a row to the Chargers, including a 28-18 home loss in Week 4 and home-and-home sweeps in every year from 2004 through 2007. The Raiders' last win in the series was a 34-31 overtime triumph at home in 2003, and they are 0-5 in San Diego since last winning there in 2002.
Oakland won the only postseason meeting between the teams, prevailing by a 34-27 count in the 1980 AFC Championship.
Turner is 4-1 all-time against his former employer the Raiders, including 1-1 in his tenure in Washington (1994-2000). Oakland's Cable will be meeting both Turner and the Chargers for the first time as a head coach.
WHEN THE RAIDERS HAVE THE BALL
The strength of the Raiders offense, and perhaps the whole team, for that matter, is a running game that ranks 10th in the league (123.8 yards per game). Running backs Justin Fargas (629 rushing yards, 1 TD) and Darren McFadden (405 rushing yards, 3 TD, 17 receptions) have both been effective within the Raider scheme when healthy, with Fargas getting most of the tough yards between the tackles and McFadden playing more of a dual rushing- receiving role. Fargas went for 82 yards on 18 carries with his first touchdown of the year in last week's loss to the Chiefs, while McFadden made his three receptions count for 50 yards. When Oakland can't establish the ground game, an offense that has sputtered with JaMarcus Russell (1729 passing yards, 7 TD, 4 INT) engineering the passing attack is in big trouble. Russell has completed just over 50 percent of his throws this year, including a 10- of-28, 132-yard game against the hapless Chiefs last Sunday. Tight end Zach Miller (37 receptions, 1 TD) has been the Raiders' most reliable pass-catcher, and the team's wideout corps did not account for a single offensive yard a week ago. Ronald Curry (15 receptions, 1 TD), Johnnie Lee Higgins (8 receptions, 1 TD), and Ashley Lelie (11 receptions, 2 TD) are the team's best outside threats, at least nominally. The Oakland line has allowed 31 sacks on the season, but did not surrender one last Sunday.
San Diego comes into Thursday's game ranking a middle-of-the-road 15th in the league against the run (107 yards per game), but will be trying to erase the sting of the 31-carry, 120-yard performance they allowed ex-Charger Michael Turner to post last week. The three-man line of nose tackle Jamal Williams (42 tackles, 1.5 sacks) and ends Igor Olshansky (25 tackles, 2 sacks) and Luis Castillo (32 tackles, 1.5 sacks) has not performed up to expectations this year, and inside linebackers Stephen Cooper (64 tackles, 1.5 sacks) and Tim Dobbins (48 tackles, 1 INT) have not made nearly enough plays behind them. Williams managed six tackles against Atlanta last week, and Dobbins paced the club's linebackers with nine stops. The deficiencies of a pass rush that has only 23 sacks on the season, including none of rookie QB Matt Ryan last Sunday, has had a trickle-down effect for the beleaguered secondary. Outside linebackers Shaun Phillips (57 tackles, 4 sacks) and Jyles Tucker (29 tackles, 4 sacks) will need to apply heat to Russell on Thursday night, with cornerbacks Antonio Cromartie (54 tackles, 2 INT) and Quentin Jammer (78 tackles, 2 INT) along with safety Eric Weddle (98 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) among those trying to force a turnover on the back end. Jammer had two forced fumbles against the Falcons last week, while Weddle posted a team-best 10 stops with a forced fumble of his own.
WHEN THE CHARGERS HAVE THE BALL
Though quarterbacks are generally judged by their ability to win football games, the Chargers' Philip Rivers (2955 passing yards, 23 TD, 10 INT), who leads the AFC in touchdown passes and passer rating (100.5) as Week 14 begins, can certainly claim to be having a strong year. That said, Rivers comes off a less-than-memorable day behind center against Atlanta, as he completed 17- of-30 passes for a season-low 149 yards and failed to throw a scoring strike for just the second time all season. Top receivers Vincent Jackson (39 receptions, 5 TD) and Chris Chambers (26 receptions, 5 TD) combined for just one catch totaling two yards (by Chambers) in the loss, though Malcolm Floyd (21 receptions, 3 TD) added value with a team-best five grabs for 59 yards. Tight end Antonio Gates (46 receptions, 6 TD) logged just three receptions in the defeat. Without question, establishing the running game will be job number one for the Bolts on Thursday night, and given Tomlinson's history against the Raiders, that lingers as a distinct possibility. Tomlinson has topped 100 rushing yards in five of his last six meetings against the Raiders, including a season-high 106 yards in Oakland in Week 4.
Tomlinson has a good chance to break loose on Thursday against a Raider defense that ranks 29th in the NFL against the run (158.8 yards per game) and couldn't do much to slow the Kansas City ground game last Sunday. Oakland surrendered 145 rushing yards to the Chiefs, though 48 of that total went to quarterback Tyler Thigpen. Linebackers Kirk Morrison (101 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT), Thomas Howard (78 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT), and strong safety Gibril Wilson (98 tackles 1 INT) have been the most interested run-stoppers for the club this year, and high-priced defensive tackle Tommy Kelly (44 tackles, 4.5 sacks) managed four stops in a rare noteworthy performance against the Chiefs. The strength of the Oakland defense remains in coverage, where cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (30 tackles, 1 INT) limited the Chiefs' Dwayne Bowe to just two catches last week, and fellow CB Chris Johnson (18 tackles, 2 INT) logged his second INT of the year. The pass rush has been less effective, though Kelly did manage a sack of Thigpen last Sunday and end Kalimba Edwards (44 tackles, 5 sacks) has had his moments as well. The Raiders are eighth in the league in passing defense (192.2 yards per game) as Week 14 begins.
FANTASY FOCUS
The playoffs begin in many fantasy leagues this week, and if you're an owner of a great many Raiders or Chargers, there's a good chance you're not in the postseason. But if you were lucky enough to make it, Oakland tight end Miller remains a strong play, and running back Fargas also tends to contribute some points and is worth using.
On the San Diego side, Tomlinson's performances have sunk the high hopes of many fantasy managers, but you can look for him to have his most productive day of the year against the Raiders on Thursday night. Rivers and Gates also remain first-rate fantasy options, and against Oakland's sketchy attack, the San Diego defense is a worthwhile play. The Bolts' Nate Kaeding is the only kicker you should consider using in this one.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
For weeks now, the world has been awaiting a resurgence from the San Diego Chargers that simply hasn't arrived. The Chargers have looked like a shell of their former selves for most of the season, and even a four-game win streak to end the year is unlikely to salvage what was supposed to be another banner campaign for the club. Still, San Diego needs a win in a bad way in order to wash away the taste of three straight narrow defeats, and figures to punish the Raiders for the problems they've encountered in dropping out of the playoff race. Look for Tomlinson to give the Chargers a spark with his running, for Fargas and the Raiders to be unable to match him on the other side, and for San Diego to walk away with a decisive home victory.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Chargers 27, Raiders 10
Tips and Trends
Louisville at Rutgers
Louisville: The Cardinals enter the finale on a four-game losing streak, the longest since going 1-10 in 1997. Louisville faces one of the hottest passing attacks in the country with a freshman cornerback and walk-on safeties as two of its starters. Its offense keeps turning the ball over, and its special teams has been awful of late. The Cardinals only road victory this season was a seven-point win over Memphis, and among its losses was a disappointing defeat at last-place Syracuse.
Louisville is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games following a bye week.
Louisville is 0-4 ATS in its last 4 conference games.
Key Injuries - CB Woodny Turenne (collarbone) is OUT.
PROJECTED SCORE: 21
Rutgers (-10, O/U 51): Rutgers started the year 1-5 but has rebounded its way back into the bowl picture with five wins in a row. A sixth victory here would seal the deal. Quarterback Mike Teel was booed during the team’s losing skid, and there was talk that he should be benched for a younger player who could contribute in the future. But the senior who will graduate holding every school passing record—both good and bad—has played his best football of the year over the last month. Expect Rutgers to show up ready to air it out against a depleted Louisville secondary.
Rutgers is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games following a S.U. win.
Rutgers is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
Key Injuries - LS Jeremy Branch (knee) is questionable.
PROJECTED SCORE: 31
Where the action is: Thursday's football games
Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers
Line/Total: We opened the Chargers 10 and 42.5. So far, very little movement and action on this game. We’re currently dealing 9.5 due to some sharp action on the Raiders +10
Matchup of the game: Motivation. The team that shows up tonight and plays with some passion and purpose should cover this spread.
Injury report:
Raiders – C Jake Grove & LB Ricky Brown are both doubtful. OL Cooper Carlisle is questionable.
Chargers – FB Mike Tolbert is doubtful. LB Marques Harris & Clinton Hart both listed questionable.
Weather: Game time temperature in the mid 60’s with a slight breeze.
Louisville Cardinals at Rutgers Scarlett Knights
Line/Total: We opened with Rutgers -11.5 and the total at 50.5. Our players are siding pretty heavily on Rutgers, with the Scarlet Knights getting 68 percent of the side action. There is some sharp money on Louisville +11.5, so the line had dropped to +10. 73 percent of the action on the total is playing over 51.
Matchup of the game: Two teams going in opposite directions. Rutgers has won five straight, going 4-1 ATS. Meanwhile Louisville has dropped four in a row, failing to cover in any of those games.
Injury report: No significant injuries
Weather: 40°F few showers; Chance precip: 30%; Wind: From WNW 5 mph
What bettors need to know: Louisville at Rutgers
By CHRIS MARAKOVITZ
Louisville Cardinals at Rutgers Scarlet Knights (-10.5, 51.5)
Head to Head
Rutgers is 5-2 all-time vs. Louisville with the home team winning the last three.
Last year Rutgers blew a 35-17 third quarter lead, allowing Louisville to come back and post a 41-38 win.
ATS
Rutgers is 6-4 ATS, 6-1 in its last seven after failing to cover its first three.
Louisville is 4-6 ATS, failing to cover its last four.
The Stakes
Bowl bids are on the line for both teams in this one. It will be an emotional senior night for the sixteen members of the Rutgers senior class. This group, led by QB Mike Teel, will be looking to add to its legacy of helping to turn the program around by playing in its fourth bowl in as many years. Prior to the arrival of this senior class the school had not appeared in a bowl since 1978.
The Cardinals, currently at 5-6, will also be playing to extend their season by gaining the sixth win needed to keep their bowl hopes intact.
Two Teams Heading in Opposite Directions
Rutgers comes in with a five game winning streak after starting the season 1-5. Louisville has lost four in a row after since starting off 5-2.
Mistake Prone Cards
Louisville has talent on offense, led by future NFL draft picks QB Hunter Cantwell and C Eric Wood. While the team has shown an ability to move the ball, the football program has been plagued by turnovers and penalties.
Britt-ish Invasion
Rutgers WR Kenny Britt leads the nation in receiving yards per game with an average of 119. Over the course of the team’s current five game win streak Britt is averaging eight receptions, 145 yards and one TD a game.
Rutgers QB Mike Teel, also playing his best ball of the season in recent weeks, will look for Britt early and often against a banged up Louisville secondary that will start a freshman CB and two walk-ons at safety.
Road Woes
Louisville has struggled mightily on the road, unable to win even at lowly Syracuse. The Cards lone road win on the season was a seven point triumph at Memphis.
Nothing Special
Louisville’s special teams has struggled all year long. Even at this late point in the season, neither Tim Dougherty nor Ryan Payne has established a hold on the kicking job. Dougherty’s 36 yarder against Kansas State back in mid September still stands as the team’s longest field goal of the season.
Line Moves
Rutgers opened as an 11.5-point favorite and was bet down to 10.5 and then 10.
The over/under opened at 50.5 and moved up slightly to 51.
IC's Thursday Research
by: IndianCowboy
Louisville vs. Rutgers
Louiville beat this team 41-38 last year and now Rutgers will look to get their revenge. Louisville has lost four straight games and that's a dissappointment considering that this team started far better than Rutgers. Rutgers, who started the year 1-5 now sits to roll into a bowl game. I want you to consider how improbable this is - in fact, it is extremely impressive.
11/22/08 ARMY W 30-3 (W -18)
11/15/08 @SOFLA W 49-16 (W 8)
11/08/08 SYR W 35-17 (W -14)
10/25/08 @PITT W 54-34 (W 9.5)
10/18/08 CONN W 12-10 (L -3)
How impressive is that huh? To not only defeat the likes of South Florida on the road outright as an 8 point dog by 33 points, defeat 'Cuse handily and cover, defeat Pittsburgh on the road as a 9.5 dog which is extremely impressive considering how good Pitt is and of course, beating the likely conference champs in Uconn 12-10 at home.
Heck, even before that game, this team was showing improvement. Take a look at this:
10/11/08 @CIN L 10-13 (W 7)
10/04/08 @WVIRG L 17-24 (W 14)
In fact, I'm willing to bet that if Rutgers was to play their level now as they have been, they would clearly be the Big East Champs, after all, they are defeating the elite in the Big East at home and on the road and have been great as an undervalue because of their first series of starts.
Something else that is more interesting is the fact that the line opened up for this game at -13 and has actually gone down to -10. Why? Well, of course, because this Louisville team is expected to put a fight to get into a Bowl game, and Louisville comes off back to back losses to WVU and Cincy at home. I know the line has gone down, but I lean on Rutgers here if need be on a side and I have something to the extent of 4:1 in favor of the over which is reason to be wary as well. Not sure, if I will make a play on it, but there is some of the research for you to make a better decision.
Raiders (3-9, 5-7) at Chargers (4-8 SU&ATS)
By Jimmy Sirody
As bad as things have gotten in San Diego, imagine what would happen if the Chargers lose at home Thursday to Oakland.
San Diego has had its share of bad luck, losing four games in the final 24 seconds. But that hasn't stopped the players from grumbling and the fans from turning away from the team and its coach, Norv Turner. A win Thursday would help heal the wounds, but the scab will remain.
The Chargers have won 10 straight against the woeful Raiders (9-1 ATS) and during that span the average margin of victory has been just shy of 15 points per game. However, before jumping up and laying double digits, it's worth noting that San Diego has scored just 16.5 points in its last four games.
The Chargers won the September matchup with Oakland by 10, but not in easy fashion, falling behind 15-0 at halftime.
San Diego has always struggled to move the ball through the air against the Raiders. In Phillip Rivers' last three games against Oakland he has completed 41-of-69 passes (59 percent) for an average of 157 yards per game. He has also thrown as many interceptions in those games (three) as he has touchdowns.
It could be a long night for the Chargers unless LaDanian Tomlinson picks up the pace. He has been limited to 60.8 rushing yards per game and 3.2 per carry over the last four weeks. Tomlinson rushed for a season-high 106 yards and two touchdowns in San Diego's 28-18 win at Oakland.
The Chargers defense has notched only 14 turnovers in 12 games after recording 48 last year. The defense is also last in the league in completion percentage and ranks 30th in TD passes allowed. Without Shawne Merriman around to attract attention and harass opposing quarterbacks, San Diego's other pass rushers have been neutralized and its secondary has been exposed.
However, it's highly unlikely the Raiders will be able to exploit the Chargers' weaknesses. Oakland has been done-in by the NFL's worst passing attack (139.7 yards a game). The Raiders rank 29th in total offense (263.3 yards per game) and 30th in scoring (14.3).
Oakland is 10th in the NFL in rushing and best in the AFC West with 123.8 yards per game. The Raiders also have the most sacks (25) and interceptions (13) in the division.
Oakland must win out to avoid becoming the third team in NFL history to suffer at least 10 losses in six consecutive seasons - Tampa Bay and Detroit previously turned the trick.
San Diego has cashed 17 of its last 22 against poor offenses - averaging less than 285 yards per game - in the second half of the season. The Chargers have also 'covered' nine of 10 as home favorites of 7 1/2 to 10 points.
The Raiders are 5-19 ATS on the road in December.
Most offshore books opener San Diego as 10 1/2-point favorites with the 'total' set at 43 1/2.