Monday Night Football Odds and Picks: San Diego vs Oakland
Sunday, September 09, 2012
Frank Martin
The Oakland Raiders begin their latest quest for an elusive playoff berth under new coach Dennis Allen on Monday night when they host the San Diego Chargers in the season opener for both teams. Oakland has not reached the postseason since 2002, when it lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII. The Raiders went 11-5 that year, their last season with a winning record.
Oakland has shown improvement of late, going 8-8 each of the last two seasons following seven straight campaigns with fewer than six victories. It has won nine of its last 12 games against AFC West rivals but has had little success against San Diego recently, losing 14 of the last 17 overall meetings and seven of eight at home.
The Chargers, whose 38-26 road triumph in the 2011 season finale cost the Raiders the division title, have missed the playoffs each of the last two years after claiming the AFC West four consecutive times.
San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders
When: 10:15 PM ET, Monday, September 10, 2012
Where: O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California
TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
Opening Odds: Oakland -1 - O/U: 47½
Current Odds: Oakland -1 - O/U: 47
NFL Football Betting Odds from: Bovada Sportsbook
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San Diego Chargers: Philip Rivers is the main factor for San Diego. Last season, the veteran joined Drew Brees and Peyton Manning as the only quarterbacks in league history to throw for 4,000 yards in four or more straight campaigns. However, he also threw a career-high 20 interceptions. Rivers has performed well against division rivals since becoming the club's starting QB in 2006, posting a 26-10 record. The Chargers hope to have running back Ryan Mathews in the lineup Monday. Mathews, who suffered a broken clavicle in the preseason, returned to practice Monday but has yet to be cleared for contact.
Oakland Raiders: Full seasons from two key offensive players could help Oakland get back to the postseason. Quarterback Carson Palmer appeared in only 10 games last year after being acquired from Cincinnati, throwing for 2,753 yards and 13 touchdowns. Meanwhile, running back Darren McFadden was limited to seven contests in 2011 due to a foot injury. He has yet to play a full season since being drafted fourth overall in 2008. Defense was Oakland's sore spot last season as it became the sixth team since 1970 to surrender 2,000 rushing yards and 4,000 passing yards in one campaign.
1. Palmer's top two career passing performances have come against the Chargers. He threw for 440 yards versus San Diego in 2006 while with the Bengals and registered 417 yards in the 2011 season finale.
2. Oakland is 36-15-1 in home openers, the third-best mark in the NFL.
3. Rivers has thrown for 24,137 yards since becoming San Diego's starter, ranking behind only Brees (28,394).
NFL Football Prediction: San Diego 33, Oakland 24 .
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Tags
carson palmer - darren mcfadden - dennis allen - drew brees - oakland raiders - peyton manning - philip rivers - ryan mathews - san diego chargers
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