Could this be the Chargers final home opener in San Diego? With a potential move up I-5 to Los Angeles, the Chargers are poised to make it a dandy for the faithful and erase the memories of a late season meltdown that cost them a playoff berth. The Lions went just 2-6 ATS on the road last season but did cover in their playoff loss at Dallas.
ODDS
The line opened at San Diego -2 and spiked to its current -3 while the total has remained steady at 45.5. The Chargers get the standard field goal spread for being the home team, but they faltered last season, going 0-5 ATS in their last five at Qualcomm. The defenders will be tested by potentially explosive offenses, putting value on the over.
KEY INJURIES
DeAndre Levy – Is doubtful for the opener as he continues to work around a hip injury that cost him the last two weeks. The Lions kept seven linebackers on their opening day roster, knowing the injury could cost him some time. Josh Bynes has been taking practice snaps in Levy’s place.
Antonio Gates – Philip Rivers’ security blanket in the Chargers offense, the tight end begins his four-game suspension under the performance enhancers policy. Ladarius Green and David Johnson are next up on the depth chart.
KEY MISMATCH
San Diego had a difficult time running the ball last season, averaging just 85.4 yards per game on the ground and 3.4 yards per carry. That’s a major reason why they scooped up Melvin Gordon with their top draft pick. They also revamped their offensive line and made improving that area a focal point during the preseason. Things didn’t go exactly as planned with two O-linemen missing time with injuries and Gordon banged up as well. The Chargers averaged just 3.1 yards per carry during the exhibition season. Even though Ndamukong Suh is now in Miami, San Diego faces a Detroit defense that held teams to a league-low 69.3 rush yards per game and 3.2 yards per carry.
KEY STAT
6 – San Diego had just six rushing touchdowns last season, sparking another move for improved play in that aspect of the game. Without Gates the Chargers might struggle near the goal line. The hope is Gordon will alleviate some of those problems.
BETTING ANGLE
The Chargers are one of three teams reportedly targeting the Los Angeles area for relocation and if that’s the case, they could be kicking off their last season in San Diego. Is that enough motivation to get a home victory? San Diego has dropped three in a row both SU and ATS against NFC North opponents and Detroit is a dangerous team to play right out of the gate. And the Chargers haven’t had much of a home field advantage recently. San Diego failed to cover its last five home games last year and lost the final two, which ultimately kept them out of the playoffs along with a loss in Kansas City in the final regular season game. Detroit, meanwhile, has gotten off to good starts, with a 5-1 SU and ATS record in their past six September games.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Chargers will go as far as Philip Rivers takes them. And now that the franchise quarterback is armed with a new contract, the hope is he gets them 400 miles north of San Diego come February. San Diego addressed issues it had on the offensive line, looking to keep Rivers upright and open holes for rookie Gordon. The Chargers should be more explosive offensively, but they will be without the suspended Gates for four games. The Lions will face a defense that has high draft picks stocking the front seven. San Diego is younger and more athletic on that side of the ball and will get after Matthew Stafford, slowing Detroit down. And without Levy, the Lions will have a hard time stopping San Diego.
San Diego 31, Detroit 26
The NFL online odds for this Sunday game were first available at BookMaker Sportsbook. The Chargers were pegged as 2-point chalk while the total opened at 45.5. Gamble on the game between every commercial break with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen on the next play or how many points will be scored in the next quarter. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
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