SD -6.5 -108 $216 to win $200
It took 17 weeks and 12 wins for the oddsmakers to finally line the Chargers up properly. Week in and week out this San Diego squad played sound and fundamental football in typical Marty Schottenheimer fashion. Drew Brees evolved as the quarterback they hoped he?d be, LaDainian Tomlinson solidified his ranking amongst the top running backs in the game and tight end Antonio Gates would have been rookie of the year if not for the arrival of Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh. The Jets had a decent year that had some ups, some downs and a little bit in between. One of the ups was defeating San Diego 34-28, back in the second week of the season. Amazingly, that was the only game that the Chargers failed to cover all season long. It should be noted that the Jets were favored by three in that game, even with it being held in Southern California. Four months later, the same scenario has me spotting nearly a converted touchdown and I have no choice but to do so. The Jets have not looked sharp. They arrive here on a two-game losing streak despite needing wins at the end of the season. Not beating the Rams in a must win game tells me all I need to know about the Jets. Chad Pennington gets unwarranted respect as he is competent but is incapable of hurting you with the long ball. Pennington relies mainly on the strong running of Curtis Martin and the short passing game. That plays right into San Diego?s hand, as the Chargers are 3rd ranked in the league against the run, just slightly behind Pittsburgh and Washington. The Jets were stymied by a 17-6 count when facing the Steelers earlier. Offensively, few teams have the current balance that the Chargers have. Their offensive line has matured and Drew Brees has been the obvious beneficiary as he threw for 27 touchdowns, compared to only seven interceptions this year. The mid-season addition of wide receiver Keenan McCardell allows them to spread the field and keep opposing defenses on their toes. As mentioned, San Diego lost the first meeting between these two. They trailed 17-0 on two interceptions and two fumbles and despite a decent attempt, they could not overcome those miscues. But it was a lesson well learned and the results should be evident on this day.
Rams +4 -105 $210 to win $200
This one should have the precision of five-year olds finger painting. The only reason both are in the playoffs is because of the ineptitude that now plagues the National Football Conference. Strange as it may seem, only four of the sixteen teams that inhabit this conference, finished with an above .500 record. Neither the Rams nor the Seahawks offered very much this year. Both were inconsistent, sloppy and disappointing. That said, both are here and a new season begins with everyone starting at zot. The Seahawks are happy to have a crack at this divisional foe that defeated them in both previous meetings this season, especially on their own turf. However, they?d better be careful what they wish for. To no one?s surprise, St. Louis relies on its passing game. Despite having Chris Chandler quarterback them for a month or so, the Rams still finished 5th in the league in passing. Marc Bulger is back at the helm and if the 450 yards he threw for against the Jets last week is any indication of his current form, the Seahawks 23rd ranked passing defense will endure a very long day. The Seahawks hope to counter the Rams potent passing attack by pounding Shawn Alexander and consuming clock. It almost worked in the first meeting before Seattle coughed up a 27-10 fourth-quarter lead by allowing the Rams to throw for two TD passes in the final 5:34 of regulation before giving up a 41-yard touchdown in overtime. Nothing I?ve seen since makes me believe that the Seahawks can negate that now. While it is difficult to fully endorse the Rams, with their alarming minus 24 in turnover ratio and a lame brain coach, they are still a better choice than a Seattle team that has never won a playoff game under Mike Holmgren and have not covered as a favorite since defeating the Niners back in September.
Good luck to all
It took 17 weeks and 12 wins for the oddsmakers to finally line the Chargers up properly. Week in and week out this San Diego squad played sound and fundamental football in typical Marty Schottenheimer fashion. Drew Brees evolved as the quarterback they hoped he?d be, LaDainian Tomlinson solidified his ranking amongst the top running backs in the game and tight end Antonio Gates would have been rookie of the year if not for the arrival of Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh. The Jets had a decent year that had some ups, some downs and a little bit in between. One of the ups was defeating San Diego 34-28, back in the second week of the season. Amazingly, that was the only game that the Chargers failed to cover all season long. It should be noted that the Jets were favored by three in that game, even with it being held in Southern California. Four months later, the same scenario has me spotting nearly a converted touchdown and I have no choice but to do so. The Jets have not looked sharp. They arrive here on a two-game losing streak despite needing wins at the end of the season. Not beating the Rams in a must win game tells me all I need to know about the Jets. Chad Pennington gets unwarranted respect as he is competent but is incapable of hurting you with the long ball. Pennington relies mainly on the strong running of Curtis Martin and the short passing game. That plays right into San Diego?s hand, as the Chargers are 3rd ranked in the league against the run, just slightly behind Pittsburgh and Washington. The Jets were stymied by a 17-6 count when facing the Steelers earlier. Offensively, few teams have the current balance that the Chargers have. Their offensive line has matured and Drew Brees has been the obvious beneficiary as he threw for 27 touchdowns, compared to only seven interceptions this year. The mid-season addition of wide receiver Keenan McCardell allows them to spread the field and keep opposing defenses on their toes. As mentioned, San Diego lost the first meeting between these two. They trailed 17-0 on two interceptions and two fumbles and despite a decent attempt, they could not overcome those miscues. But it was a lesson well learned and the results should be evident on this day.
Rams +4 -105 $210 to win $200
This one should have the precision of five-year olds finger painting. The only reason both are in the playoffs is because of the ineptitude that now plagues the National Football Conference. Strange as it may seem, only four of the sixteen teams that inhabit this conference, finished with an above .500 record. Neither the Rams nor the Seahawks offered very much this year. Both were inconsistent, sloppy and disappointing. That said, both are here and a new season begins with everyone starting at zot. The Seahawks are happy to have a crack at this divisional foe that defeated them in both previous meetings this season, especially on their own turf. However, they?d better be careful what they wish for. To no one?s surprise, St. Louis relies on its passing game. Despite having Chris Chandler quarterback them for a month or so, the Rams still finished 5th in the league in passing. Marc Bulger is back at the helm and if the 450 yards he threw for against the Jets last week is any indication of his current form, the Seahawks 23rd ranked passing defense will endure a very long day. The Seahawks hope to counter the Rams potent passing attack by pounding Shawn Alexander and consuming clock. It almost worked in the first meeting before Seattle coughed up a 27-10 fourth-quarter lead by allowing the Rams to throw for two TD passes in the final 5:34 of regulation before giving up a 41-yard touchdown in overtime. Nothing I?ve seen since makes me believe that the Seahawks can negate that now. While it is difficult to fully endorse the Rams, with their alarming minus 24 in turnover ratio and a lame brain coach, they are still a better choice than a Seattle team that has never won a playoff game under Mike Holmgren and have not covered as a favorite since defeating the Niners back in September.
Good luck to all
