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San Diego Chargers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Betting Odds & Spread

Written January 8, 2009 by Jason Lowry

Steelers Chargers Football

This Sunday when the San Diego Chargers try and keep a miracle season alive against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC divisional playoffs, they might be without star running back LaDainian Tomlinson who has a torn groin. The Chargers somehow found a way into the playoffs, even though they were never over .500 and needed a lot of help from the Denver Broncos, and last week in the first round of the playoffs they snapped the Colts 9 game winning streak, as they pulled off a 23-17 win in overtime. The Steelers come into this one with a week off to get healthy after winning the NFC North going 12-4, and they finished the season strong winning 6 of their final 7 games.These two teams met back in week 11 with the Steelers using a field goal with 11 seconds remaining to win 11-10. For those of you looking to do some NFL betting on the big game this Sunday, the oddsmakers have the Steelers 6 point favorites over the Chargers at BetUS.com.

Not having LT is going to be a big hit for the Chargers, but it might not be as bad as it sounds if Darren Sproles keeps playing the way he has of late, as he led the Chargers with 105 yards on 22 carries last week against the Colts, and added another 45 yards receiving. Quarterback Philip Rivers struggled to get going last week completing 20 of 36 passes for 217 yards with no touchdowns and 1 interception. Antonio Gates did haul in 8 catches for 87 yards to lead the team receiving. Last time against the Steelers Tomlinson scored the only touchdown for the offense, but the Chargers had just 66 yards rushing. Rivers is going to have to come up big in this one, and can’t put up another 159 yards with 2 interceptions like he did in week 12 against the Steelers.

The Chargers defense was pretty impressive last week, as they held Peyton Manning and the Colts to just 17 points, and while Manning threw for over 300 yards, the Chargers did a great job slowing down the run, allowing just 64 yards on the ground. Last time against the Steelers the Chargers gave up a ton of yards, as Ben Roethlisberger had over 300 yards passing, and Willie Parker had 115 on the ground. The Chargers have to slow down the running game if they want any chance of beating the Steelers this weekend. Bet San Diego Chargers +6 at BetUS.com.

The Steelers are going to try and pound the football in this one, and it couldn’t have been better timing for Willie Parker to get things going again, as he rushed for over 100 yards in the final game of the regular season, and it was the first time he had done so since gaining 115 on the Chargers. The key for the Steelers offense is Roethlisberger, as he hasn’t had the season many expected throwing 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, but if the Steelers struggle to run this weekend, its going to be Roethlisberger that has to lead this team to a victory. Statistically last time Big Ben was pretty solid throwing for 308 yards and completing 31 of 41 passes, but he led the Steelers to zero touchdowns, and we have a hard time believing they can win this weekend without finding the end zone.

The Steelers bring arguably the NFL’s best defense to the field this weekend, as this unit held 10 teams to 15 or fewer points this season. The defense is led by 2008 Defensive Player of the year winner linebacker James Harrison, who had 101 tackles, 16 sacks, and 7 forced fumbles. Harrison wasn’t the only star on this defense, as James Farrior led the way with 133 tackles, and LaMarr Woodley was 2nd on the team with 11.5 sacks, while Troy Polamalu regained his star presence this season with 7 interceptions and 73 tackles from his safety spot. Last time against the Chargers Harrison had a sack for a safety, an interception, and a forced fumble, while Polamalu also picked off Rivers. The Chargers only had 225 yards of total offense, and if they repeat that performance this Sunday, its going to be hard for this team to lose. Bet Pittsburgh Steelers -6 at BetUS.com.

Lowry’s Lean on the Game: Steelers -6
I really think that the Steelers defense is going to prove to be to much for the Chargers to overcome, as I just don’t see Sproles or a hurt LT having much success against this unit. The Chargers might have only gave up 2 sacks last time against the Steelers, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Rivers get rocked a bunch in this one. As for the Steelers offense, I think Parker has another big day on the ground, and they do a much better job of scoring touchdowns and not just field goals.

Predicted Score: Steelers 27 Chargers 17

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5 Comments

Comments

5 Responses to “San Diego Chargers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Betting Odds & Spread”

S C on January 9th, 2009 4:52 pm

“The Steelers are going to try and pound the football in this one, and it couldn’t of been better timing…”

Are you a professional writer? ‘Couldn’t OF’??!!?? How about ‘couldn’t HAVE’!! When you can use proper English grammar and spelling, I’ll read more. Until then….

Reply
Lawrence Morrow on January 9th, 2009 11:53 pm

The Chargers might of only gave up 2 sacks last time against the Steelers,

IS THIS THE GRAMMAR YOU WANTED TO USE?

Reply
Andy on January 10th, 2009 11:37 am

I love the San Diego Chargers! I wanted to say that so you know where I sit before I tell you where I stand.

The Steelers won by one point the last time these two teams met. The Chargers and Steelers are very evenly matched. I think all of these game outcome predictions are just that – predictions/guesses. Don’t loss heart Charger Fans! Our Chargers have a good chance at beating the Steelers. More so then they had with the Colts. I am looking forward to an exciting game and hopefully, my Chargers will advance. They have so much heart when they play. And I think that that will help them win the game.

Thanks for reading,
:andy

Reply
Jack Jones Reply:
January 11th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Good luck Andy. I feel like the game is pretty much a toss up myself, but I’m leaning towards taking the Steelers minus the points. Who knows though after both teams with byes went down yesterday!

Reply
nic on January 11th, 2009 9:17 pm

nice call on the steelers and the over…

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