NFL odds – Chargers vs Saints betting from London
Posted on 10/21/2008 2:30:21 PM
By Stan Simmons
Chargers vs Saints betting: NFL travels across the pond
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WHO: San Diego Chargers (-3) at New Orleans Saints
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WHAT: NFL odds
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WHEN: Sunday, October 26 at 1:00 p.m. ET
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WHERE: Wembley Stadium in London, England
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KEY STATS: San Diego has won four of its last six meetings with New Orleans
- PICK: San Diego
Last season, 81,176 fans showed up at Wembley Stadium in London, England to watch the New York Giants beat the Miami Dolphins in a sloppy 13-10 game. The British fans, as well as those in the online sports betting community, should be in line for more excitement this Sunday, when the San Diego Chargers (3-4) and New Orleans Saints (3-4) make this season’s overseas trip.
Chargers vs Saints odds favor the inconsistent San Diego team, and the fans in England should be treated to an old-fashioned shootout, NFL-style.
The Chargers were killed by three turnovers in a 23-14 loss at Buffalo last week, and all three were committed by Philip Rivers. The quarterback was 22-of-29 for 208 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw a pick and lost a pair of fumbles.
LaDainian Tomlinson had another supbar game with 41 yards on 14 carries, and he had his third straight game without a touchdown—almost unheard of for the former NFL MVP. One wonders if it’s just better to shut down “LT” and his turf-toe injury for the season, as he’s clearly not the same player.
If you are looking to bet online on this game, you may want to take a look at San Diego’s defense: the Chargers are 28th in the league and are clearly missing linebacker Shawne Merriman, who is out for the year with a knee injury.
The No. 1 offense in the NFL ran into a hungry Carolina defense in a 30-7 road loss to the Panthers, as Drew Brees had his worst game of the season last week. The Saints quarterback was 21-of-39 performance for 231 yards and a pick.
Even worse, Reggie Bush was injured and faces knee surgery. Bush went into last week’s game leading the league in receptions and he’s a massive part of this high-powered offense.
The defense allowed the Panthers to rush for 143 yards, which translated into a time-of-possession loss for the Saints. This Chargers vs Saints line is largely based on the injury to Bush as well as Jeremy Shockey and David Patten. Receiver Marques Colston still is not 100 percent after missing five games with a thumb ailment.
BLAKE’S PICK: Chargers vs Saints odds have San Diego—the “visiting” team—as three-point favorites. The Chargers have won four of their last six meetings with New Orleans.
It should be a lock to bet on the OVER in this game, as both offenses are scoring at least 26 points a game and the defenses are allowing at least 23 points. With no Bush in the backfield, look for Deuce McAllister to get a number of carries against San Diego’s awful run defense.
Brees was also moved to New Orleans to make room for Rivers in San Diego, so he could be looking for revenge and force the ball a bit much. The Chargers should be looking to get Tomlinson more involved, as he complained about not getting enough touches against Buffalo.
In what should be an exciting and high-scoring game, bet on the San Diego Chargers to make more big plays on defense and earn a tough victory in England.
If you bet on sports, the BetOnline.com Sportsbook is for you, offering tons in NFL betting, odds and props. Be sure to swing by our Betting Edge section regularly for more free football picks and analysis on Chargers vs Saints betting and more.
Stan
Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping
has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much
time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps
the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or
questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
