Chargers at Giants Spread

Written by Rock Henderson

The New York football Giants have went into a tailspin after beginning the season 5-0 as they have been losers of three straight games. Coming off a 40-17 embarrassment at Philadelphia, the Giants will look to get things back on track when they host the 4-3 San Diego Chargers. Both teams have been somewhat disappointments and need this win to build momentum for the second half of the season. The Giants are listed as a 4 point favorite on our live NFL odds and the over/under is set at 47.5

Picked by most to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl this season, the San Diego Chargers didn’t exactly start things off on the right foot. QB Phillip Rivers has done his part to get the Chargers to the promise land. He has thrown for 2036 yards and 11 touchdowns in his seven games while only being intercepted four times. Rivers favorite target has been Vincent Jackson, who has caught 37 balls for 664 yards and five touchdowns. Jackson has really come on in his fifth season and has established himself as one of the top wide receivers in the game. The running game has been a bit below average as future Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson is no longer his dominant self. LT has run for 267 yards and three scores, but is averaging just 3.4 yards per carry. Scat back Darren Sproles provides a nice change of pace in the backfield and is a monster on kick-off returns. The Chargers rank 31st in the league in rushing and will need to get better production in that area if they want to make even make the playoffs. If you plan on doing any NFL betting in the near future, you need to start with a bigger bankroll.

The Giants falling apart has to be one of the biggest question marks in the NFL at the halfway point. Arguably the most talented team from top to bottom in the NFC, they have been racked hard by injuries and losing former defensive coordinator Steve Spagnula might be a bigger loss than initially thought. QB Eli Manning’s play has been sub par the past few weeks as he plays through a foot injury. He has thrown for 1855 yards and 13 touchdowns, but his eight interceptions are too many. The running game is still potent, but Brandon Jacobs is averaging under 4 ypc and doesn’t seem to be running as hard as usual. Ahmad Bradshaw forms a nice 1-2 punch, running for 476 yards and four touchdowns. Plaxico Burress’s departure is hurting the team, but the young receiving corp is coming along nicely. Steve Smith leads the team with 53 catches for 662 and four scores. Rookie Hakeem Nicks has proved why he was the first round selection of the Giants with 20 catches that have produced four scores. Defensively, the Giants are nowhere near the level they played at when they won the Super Bowl two years ago. They give up 23 ppg that ranks 22nd in the league and are particularly bad against the run.

There is no reason to believe that the G-men are magically going to turn things around after getting absolutely worked in two out of their last three games. San Diego has a Jekyll n’ Hyde persona, but they are in a good spot here to get the cover. I wouldn’t recommend playing this game because both teams need the win and you don’t know what you are going to get when they take the field. Take the points. Play: Chargers +4

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