NFL GAME ODDS

New England Patriots vs. San Diego Chargers

This week the New England Patriots travel to sunny San Diego to play the white hot Chargers. This will be a match up of the first year San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers against the brilliant coaching mind of Bill Bellicheck. If Rivers can stay poised with all the confusing defensive schemes Bellicheck will throw at him the Chargers have a good chance to win especially when you have the league MVP in LaDainian Tomlinson. The Chargers must also get to Tom Brady. If he is allowed to set up in the pocket he can hit anybody, even though the receivers of the Patriots are mediocre at best. If the Patriots offensive line can contain the tough defense of the Chargers, especially Shawne Merriman, NFL leading 17 sacks, and Shaun Phillips 11.5 sacks. Bellicheck and his coaches are masters at devising game plans to rattle opposing quarterbacks and have done so to many experienced ones. Rivers must have a good game for the Chargers to win and a little help from the MVP won't hurt either.

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The Chargers 4ht raked offense is led by Phillip Rivers, 3388 yds 22 TD's. But the main weapon is league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson, 1815 yds 28 TD,s who is the best back in the league. If Tomlinson can get past the Patriots front line it could be a long day for the Pats. Rivers' main weapon is Tight End Antonio Gates, 71 rec 924 yds 9 TD's who is tough to take down in the open field as he can get big yards after the catch. Rivers has to stay composed against the game plan Bellicheck throws at him and all the different schemes he will see. San Diego's defense, ranked 10th, must get to Brady if they are to win. Merriman and Phillips have to disrupt his passing game. The Chargers were tough against the rush this year giving up just over 100 yards per game, ranked 7th in the league, and will have to contain the due of running backs for the Pats. Their secondary ranked 13th against the pass and will have to do a good job on the receivers of the Patriots

Everything for the Patriots offense, ranked 11th, starts with Tom Brady, 3529 yds 24 TD's. His receiving corps is not very good but the Patriots are peaking at the right time. Brady will find a way to get the ball to his receivers, no matter who they are, if he is given time. Cory Dillon, 812 yds 13 TD's, and Laurence Maroney, 745 yds 6 TD's, will have to pick up some yards so the defense can't focus solely on Brady. The offensive line also has to protect Brady especially keeping Merriman and Phillips off him. The key to the game may be if the defensive scheme Bellicheck comes up with rattles Rivers, and chances are it will. Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, and nose tackle Vince Wilfork have to make Tomlinson change direction at the line and keep him from hitting the holes. If they do they have a good chance. The Patriots 6th ranked defense also will be throwing a lot of blitzes from inside linebackers Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel to get to Tomlinon and Rivers. Their secondary has been banged up but still played well. They will have to make tackles against the tough to bring down Antonio Gates and Tomlinson if he gets into the secondary. The Patriots are peaking at the right time and have the best coach and arguably best quarterback in the league. Look for Rivers to be rattled and for an upset to happen in San Diego.

Game Pick Patriots +4.5