San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots. Point spread: New England -7 Over/Under: 54 |
Two of the most prolific offenses in the NFL square-off this Sunday afternoon when the San Diego Chargers head to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots. The kick-off is set for 4:15 p.m. (ET) and the game will be broadcast nationally on CBS.
San Diego has been known for its slow starts in the past, but it was able to rally from a 17-7 deficit at halftime to beat Minnesota 24-17 as a nine-point home favorite in a game that stayed ‘under’ the 41.5-point line.
It was a mixed bag for the Chargers in this one. First, their special teams gave up a 103-yard kick-off return for a score on the very first play of the game while losing their kicker, Nate Kaeding, for the season with a knee injury. The plus side featured three touchdowns by running back Mike Tolbert, including the game-winner on a 19-yard pass from Philip Rivers in the fourth quarter. Rivers finished with 335 yards passing and two touchdowns, but was also picked-off twice.
There was no doubt that New England was ready to start the season after racking-up 622 yards of total offense in its 38-24 victory as a seven-point road favorite this past Monday night. The total went well ‘over’ the 48.5-point line.
Tom Brady’s career night of 517 yards passing was capped-off by a 99-yard catch and run by wide receiver Wes Welker in the fourth quarter to seal the win. This incredible offensive outburst helped mask the fact that the Patriots’ defense gave up 488 yards of total offense of their own. This is something that will not go unnoticed by the Chargers’ offensive coaching staff when developing the game plan for Sunday.
San Diego is 5-2-1 against the spread in their last eight games against the AFC in NFL betting, but just 2-5-1 ATS in its last eight road games. The total has stayed ‘under’ in five of its last eight games overall in betting prediction.
New England is 4-1 ATS in its last five games against the AFC and 6-2 ATS in its last eight games overall. The total has gone ‘over’ in 14 of its last 16 games as a favorite.
Head-to-head in this series, the underdog is 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings. The total has gone ‘over’ in four of the last five games played at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots squeaked by San Diego 23-20 as a 2.5-point road underdog last season in a game that stayed ‘under’ the 48.5-point line.
Defense need not apply this time has around as both of these quarterbacks will be airing it out all day long, with Brady once again coming out on top.
The Free NFL Pick: New England 31 San Diego 28
