49ers Chargers Betting – Chargers, 49ers Clash On California Coast In Preseason Finale
The final Thursday of the preseason will wrap up with a meeting between two teams out on the California coast, as the San Francisco 49ers get set to clash with the San Diego Chargers. While this game won’t have the hype and intensity of the 49ers-Raiders battles that sparked fan brawls earlier this preseason, there is still a ton of pride on the line as two teams that feel they are capable of contending for the postseason make their final sports betting preparations before the regular season begins.
San Francisco 49ers @ San Diego Chargers
Thursday September 1, 2011 – 10:00 PM ET
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
NFL Betting Lines: San Diego Chargers – 3
The Chargers are undoubtedly closer to reaching that goal than San Francisco, but there is still work to do. Slow starts have cost San Diego in the few years that head coach Norv Turner has been there, and it may have cost them a playoff spot last year, so they will likely play with focus and intensity in their final exhibition contest.
strong>NFL Betting Preview: San Francisco 49ers
Although he is a former quarterback himself and is known for his ability to mentor and foster the talents of his pupils, head coach Jim Harbaugh is in a bit of a bind in his first season on an NFL sideline. Harbaugh selected Colin Kaepernick in this year’s NFL draft after inheriting former first round pick Alex Smith, but neither has emerged as a legitimate NFL starter so far in camp. Smith will likely get the nod based on experience and confidence as Kaepernick hasn’t looked close to ready, but that is only the beginning of the 49ers’ problems. The team locked up running back Frank Gore to a three-year deal the other day and that will be crucial on offense, but there are still too many question marks on both sides of the ball, particularly on the defensive line and in the secondary.
NFL Betting Preview: San Diego Chargers
The Chargers are trending the opposite way after bringing in safety Bob Sanders to solidify the secondary in the offseason, although their starting defense could use this final game to tinker with a couple of aspects of their game. The offense on the other hand has looked in midseason form, with quarterback Phillip Rivers emerging as one of the strongest talents in the game today. Rivers has a ton of options once again when he drops back, and although he may not see too much time in this game the Chargers’ backups should have a sportsbook promo blast against a weak San Francisco secondary.
NFL Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick
Harbaugh is desperately searching his roster for playmakers to emerge beyond Gore, and if the secondary can put together a strong performance against one of the top passing attacks in the league then he will be happy. The Chargers have a ton of weapons and some formidable depth, and they should be able to handle businesses at home as they wrap up their preseason.
NFL Betting Pick: San Diego Chargers - 3
