Seahawks Chargers Betting – Chargers Come Out On Top In Preseason Opener

Online betting players have been anxiously awaiting the beginning of preseason since the lockout was lifted, and the action kicks off on Thursday in San Diego, where the Chargers welcome Seattle to town. There are a lot of variables in play, but all things equal, the Chargers are a smart bet at home.

What: NFL Betting
When: Thursday, August 11th, 8:00 PM ET
Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA
Pick: San Diego Chargers

Why Bet On Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks will go into a season without Matt Hasselbeck under center for the first time since 2000, as the veteran free agent left for Tennessee, and Minnesota castoff Tarvaris Jackson will take over the reins, which may not be a bad thing. Jackson is more athletic than Hasselbeck and he isn’t as inaccurate as many would have you believe. Jackson’s biggest problem is a lack of consistency from week to week, but now that he isn’t looking over his shoulder, maybe he’ll play relaxed. It also helps that new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell spent four years in Minnesota with Jackson, so familiarity is there. Jackson and the first time may be out on the field longer than most preseason games as the lockout as surely hurt his ability to build a relationship with his receivers, namely Mike Williams, but he already knows all about Seattle’s new weapon: Sidney Rice emerged as one of the most dangerous deep threats in Minnesota and is out to prove that he is over last year’s injury problems. Tight end Zach Miller also joined the team from Oakland, so the passing game should be better if Jackson can remain consistent.

Defensively, the Seahawks may be losing linebacker Lofa Tatupu, who is a free agent, and they have to improve on this side of the ball if they’re going to have a chance in what should be an improved NFC West. The Seahawks managed to re-sign end Raheem Brock, but the front seven really needs a lot of work. Offensively, the Seahawks have to figure out who the No.1 back is, Marshawn Lynch or Justin Forsett, and the line has to integrate rookies James Carpenter at tackle and John Moffitt at guard. Jackson would have an easier time getting used to his new teammates if he weren’t running for his life.

Why Bet On San Diego Chargers

The best news for San Diego’s NFL betting odds is that receiver Vincent Jackson will be in camp after signing a one-year deal, and while it’s not a long-term contract, at least Jackson won’t hold out like last year. That is excellent news for quarterback Philip Rivers, who did an amazing job keeping the Chargers’ offense going last year in the face of holdouts and injuries. Tight end Antonio Gates fought through injury all season in 2010 and should be ready to go, but watch his ailing foot, which could flare up. Linebacker Takeo Spikes adds some experience and leadership to the defense and he is also coming off a great season in San Francisco, while Shaun Phillips brings the rush off the end. The defense should also benefit from coordinator Greg Manusky, who was the linebackers coach in San Diego from 2002-2006, and he returns after three years as the coordinator in San Francisco. The Chargers were the No.1 defense in the league last year, ahead of teams like Pittsburgh, the New York Jets and the defending Super Bowl champions from Green Bay, but they don’t get the respect of the rest of the league.

San Diego will be hoping that running back Ryan Mathews can stay on the field after an injury-filled rookie season, because the Chargers really need to balance their offense out to make it even more dangerous. Someone also needs to step up opposite Jackson: the best bet would be Malcolm Floyd, who fits the mold of a No.2 receiver perfectly. Also, the defense was very steady and solid, but they have to generate a few more turnovers as they were tied for ninth in the AFC in that category.

How It Will Play Out

The Chargers come into this game as 3.5-point favorites at home according to NFL betting odds, but the spread may not be important in this preseason opener as there are a lot of questions that need to be answered. No one knows exactly how long the first units for both teams will be on the field, and that makes it tough to handicap how the point spread. The Seahawks have actually won four of their last five in San Diego, both SU and ATS, but their last visit came in 2002.

The Chargers have more talent from top to bottom, which should give them the edge in this contest, but you can expect a sloppy game with a lot of mistakes because of the layoff. Bet on San Diego in your sports betting book.