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NFL Game Point Spreads – Philadelphia at San Diego

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Philadelphia (+1) vs.
San Diego (-1)
(O/U) 46½

Sunday, November 15 4:00 PM ET

The San Diego Chargers (5-3 SU, 3-5 ATS, 4-3-1 O/U) have won three straight games and are on a roll. That's good new for you pro football betting fanatics.

Norv Turner’s squad took out one NFC East squad last Week, beating the New York Giants 21-20 to cover the NFL point spread as 5-point road dogs in Week 9.

The question now is, 'Can they turn the trick again and put another top NFC East squad to bed' again when they host the slightly desperate Philadelphia Eagles (5-3 SU, 5-3 ATS, 6-2 O/U) at Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday at 4 PM ET?

What the Eagles need to do to win

First and foremost, the Birds need to stop Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers from throwing the rock successfully. With the Bolts averaging a league-low 69.6 rushing yards per game this season, the Birds should be able to focus their defensive attention on Rivers.

Philadelphia will also need to run the ball effectively against a Chargers team allowing a whopping 130.1 yards per game on the ground this season, but the Eagles are a pass first team that often abandons the running game, particularly if they don’t experience success early with their rushing attack.

What the Chargers need to do to win

Run the ball for some positive yardage. Despite having two good backs in LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles, the Chargers have been absolutely pathetic against the run this season and will need to take advantage of an Eagles team that has had its share of problems in stopping the run. If the Bolts can run the ball early and open up the pass, Rivers should be able to hurt the Birds deep down the middle of the field.

The Key Trends  

  • The Eagles are 5-3 ATS.
  • The Eagles are 2-1 ATS away.
  • The Chargers are 3-5 ATS.
  • The Chargers are 1-3 ATS at home.

I like Chargers’ tight end Antonio Gates to bounce back from his mediocre performance and beat Eagles safety Macho Harris down the middle of the field on at least a couple of plays in this game while leading the Chargers to their second consecutive narrow victory.

The key football trends suggest a Philadelphia win and cover here, but I think the Birds and Andy Reid are going to play right into San Diego’s hand in this game and fail to commit themselves to their often inconsistent rushing attack.

San Diego has been very good against the pass this season, ranking fifth in the league and limiting their opponents to just 179.6 passing yards per game this season.

Philadelphia likes to throw the ball early and often, but I say their aerial attack gets shut down while Shawne Merriman and Co. pressure Donovan McNabb into at least one costly turnover.

Take the Bolts to cover with a narrow win that turns out to be one of the best games of Week 10.

The Pick: San Diego -1 Point