Football Betting

Chargers vs Steelers Odds – Steelers look to bounce back

Posted on 11/11/2008 6:26:47 PM By Stan Simmons

NFL football betting: Both teams desperate to win

• WHO: San Diego Chargers vs Pittsburgh Steelers (-5)
• WHAT: NFL football betting
• WHEN: Sunday, November 16 at 4:15 p.m. ET
• WHERE: Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA
• KEY STATS: Chargers are 27-17 against the spread in last 44 as a road underdog of 3.5 to seven points; Steelers are 1-4 against the spread in last five games against AFC West opponents
• PICK: Steelers

Chargers vs Steelers odds have the Steelers listed as a five-point favorite at home just one week after they lost at home to the Indianapolis Colts.

Online sports betting sharps know the Steelers have some health concerns. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is banged up with a shoulder injury, running back Willie Parker is doubtful and tight end Heath Miller is likely out for the contest.

On the other side of the coin, the Chargers might be healthier but those who bet online know their defense has been absolutely abysmal. The Chargers defense ranks 26th overall and has allowed an AFC-worst 17 passing touchdowns. As a matter of fact, the Chargers have the worst passing defense in the NFL, allowing an average of 264.9 yards per game through the air.

Most people’s Chargers vs Steelers pick will favor the Steelers, who likely won’t lose back-to-back home games. But even that logic may be flawed because the Steelers have actually performed better away from home this season. The Steelers are 2-2 at home and 4-1 on the road.

The Steelers have the top-ranked passing defense and the second-best receiving defense. That figures to be a handful for the Chargers since they have been one-dimensional this season without a healthy LaDainian Tomlinson.

Tomlinson, who has averaged over 1500 yards per season for his career, is on pace for just over 1100 this season. His 3.8 yards per carry average is the worst since his rookie season and he’s only run for 26 first downs after averaging 76 per season.

Sportsbook odds obviously favor the Steelers after the Chargers barely squeaked by the 1-8 Kansas City Chiefs at home. Although many online sports betting aficionados keep waiting for the old Chargers to show up, the bottom line is that they just aren’t the same team.

Given that the Steelers lost their last home contest, they should be more focused this week. They turned over the ball in key situations last week and sports book enthusiasts won’t count on that happening two weeks in a row.

STAN’S PICK: the Chargers are a West Coast, warm-weather team travelling across the country to play in the cold. The Steelers will bounce-back with a big win. Both teams are in a must-win situation but the Steelers are at home, which should be the difference. Look for them to take care of the ball and win on the strength of their defense this week.

Visit the BetOnline.com Betting Edge for more insight into the Chargers vs Steelers odds and NFL betting.

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.