San Diego Chargers Odds - Chargers still betting favorite in AFC West
Online sports betting handicappers know the Chargers odds in the AFC West have obviously been those favored over the last few seasons. That won’t change in 2009, as the San Diego Chargers look like the only serious contender in the division. Nevertheless, let’s take a look at the Chargers odds to win this year’s championship:
San Diego Chargers odds: +1500 to win Super Bowl XLIV
- Chargers ready to bounce-back after an injury-plagued season
- Rivers ready to lead the Chargers for a Super Bowl run
- Competition in AFC West is very weak
The Chargers odds to win the AFC West last season were about even alongside the Denver Broncos. For a while, it looked as if the Chargers had no shot to pull it off as they were just 4-8 after 12 games facing a two-game deficit with just four games remaining. But thanks to an improbable collapse by the Broncos and an impressive surge by San Diego, the Chargers scraped out another division win with an 8-8 record.
An 8-8 finish was a surprise considering their roster was loaded with double-digit Pro Bowlers, so what happened? Furthermore, the Chargers odds for the regular season win total were projecting nearly 12 wins for the team. Injuries crippled the defense, which led to plenty of shootouts that the Chargers just weren’t used to. The good news is that most of the roster returns healthy with some supplements, which could be a scary thought.
Last season, LaDainian Tomlinson had a tough time finding running lanes, but the team is confident that he’ll rebound in 2009. If this ends up being true, the Chargers odds greatly increase as they’ll be able to get back to getting ahead, managing the game clock and pounding away on their opponents. However, if he has a repeat of his ugly 2008 campaign, the burden will once again fall on the shoulders - or shoulder - of quarterback Philip Rivers. Although he didn’t have much help, Rivers still emerged as a Pro Bowl quarterback in 2008 and was the sole reason the team managed to make the playoffs. If he can continue that performance, the Chargers odds will greatly increase since they have such a dangerous offense.
But the main question for those people questioning the Chargers odds is the defense. After losing linebacker Shawne Merriman to injury, the Chargers defense couldn’t produce any pressure on opposing quarterbacks, which proved to be the Achilles heel of the team. The Chargers registered just 28 sacks in 2008 - 14 sacks less than the 42 they registered in 2007. With less pressure, the ripple effect was felt everywhere on defense. The Chargers defense had 30 interceptions in 2007 and just 15 in 2008. In 2007, the Chargers defense allowed 17.8 points per game, but that climbed to 21.7 in 2008. If the Chargers defense improves - and with a healthy Merriman, it should - then so do the Chargers odds. Everyone knows that this team will score points but the Chargers odds are linked to their defense.
In a division where the Kansas City Chiefs are rebuilding, the Oakland Raiders are toiling and the Denver Broncos are searching for an identity, the Chargers will still reign supreme. All three of their division mates will have new head coaches, which is why the Chargers odds in the sportsbook list them as the favorite.
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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.
