in NFL Articles

The New England Patriots 21-12 in the AFC Championship game, despite not having their three best offensive players at full strength in running back LaDainian Tomlinson, tight end Antonio Gates and quarterback Philip Rivers who played in the game with a torn ACL before giving way to backup Billy Volek.

Now, the Chargers will enter the 2008 season under second-year head coach Norv Turner with the stated goal of reaching Super Bowl XLIII.

The BetUS online NFL sports wagering community will have plenty of football gambling opportunities to make winning wagers on the

Chargers this upcoming season as they were one of the best NFL wagering ATS (against the spread) teams in all of football last season.

San Diego went an impressive 7-1 against the spread at home and solid 4-4 ATS on the road while ranking fifth in overall points scored per games last season.

The Chargers also recorded a winning Over/Under wagering record, built mostly on the strength of their strong 5-1-2 O/U road mark.

San Diego also tried to address its need for an improved secondary by drafting cornerback Antoine Cason with its first overall pick, while looking for a young running back to replace gifted backup Michael Turner who bolted for the Atlanta Falcons and the big bucks they threw at him this offseason.

BetUS online NFL betting faithful should know that the Chargers could be even better in 2008 after being denied the last few years of reaching the Super Bowl, first under former head coach Marty Schottenheimer and last season, under Turner.

While the Chargers have to be happy with the success they’ve achieved the last few seasons, they have to realize that their window of opportunity is closing just a little bit more each season and the time to strike is now.

I’m not convinced the Chargers have addressed their concerns enough at wide receiver or backup running back, but one thing is for sure, the Chargers will be one of the top teams in the AFC once again in 2008 and could reach the final game of the season despite playing in the same conference as the high-powered New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts.

Here is a look at the Chargers’ 2008 Draft Picks, followed by their 2007 team statistics and 2008 NFL Odds in the BetUS Sportsbook:

2008 Draft Picks

Round 1 (27): Antoine Cason CB, Arizona

Round 3 (69): Jacob Hester FB, LSU

Round 5 (166)*: Marcus Thomas RB, UTEP

Round 6 (192): DeJuan Tribble CB, Boston College

Round 7 (234): Corey Clark G, Texas A&M

Offense

315.2 total yards per game: Rank 20

187.8 passing yards per game: Rank 26

127.4 rushing yards per game: Rank 7

25.8 points scored per game: Rank 5

Defense

320.3 total yards per game: Rank 14

212.7 passing yards per game: Rank 13

107.6 rushing yards per game: Rank 16

17.8 points allowed per game: Rank: 5

2008 NFL Odds

-400 to win AFC West

+400 to win AFC Championship

+700 to win Super Bowl XLIII

The 2008 and beyond!