Why do the Chargers keep being favored over much better teams?

1. 62

   EYEAM4ANARCHYposted 13 years ago

   Somebody please explain it to me. Last week, I almost didn't bet the Patriots getting three points because I thought they bookies must know something I don't. Fortunately, I did go ahead and take it (along with the Redskins on a parlay) and it was easy money.
   
   Now, they are giving 3 1/2 pts. to the Titans. I know that they have a history of slow starts and San Diego is close to Vegas, so they can count on the tourists wasting extra cash on the home team, but still I don't see any way the Titans shouldn't be giving the Chargers a field goal in this one.
   
   Desperation just wasn't enough last week and losing Steve Young hasn't made much of a difference.

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      Ron Montgomeryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Vince Young?
      
      Statistically, the Chargers are the top rated team in the league.  Cerebrally however...

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         EYEAM4ANARCHYposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         For some reason lately, I keep wanting to say Steve instead of Vince. I doubt anyone else is confusing the two of them, though.
         
         Numbers are nice to look at, but 2-5 is the important stat.

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            Ron Montgomeryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            IQ scores may explain 2-5.

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2. 73

   LakeShow Tposted 13 years ago

   Good question. I had the Chargers rated 10th in the NFL Power Rankings Hub I did before the season started. I got crucified for having them that low by a hand full of people. Everyone apparently thought they were top 5. I have the last laugh at the moment because it does not appear as though they are even worthy of the top 10. They are and have been as overrated as it gets in the NFL year after year-- a result of a poor division.

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3. 58

   theinfoninjaposted 13 years ago

   The Chargers are my home team and they are sucking it up (as usual)The stats they need to be focusing on are turn overs, sacs,and penalties.  They also choke like a mo-fo in the red zone.  Every week we question why they are so favored.  I'll cheer for them anyway.

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4. 60

   ediggityposted 13 years ago

   On paper they are a powerhouse, so I can see why your rankings were questioned Lake.  Additionally, the majority of their losses so far were from mistakes on special teams, not lack of talent, or just plain sucking.  If the Chargers tighten up they are a force to be reckoned with.

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      LakeShow Tposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Eddigity:
      
      What you're saying is entirely true, however I did not like them on paper. Until now, they have not had Vincent Jackson and thus they had nobody at the wide receiver position that could command double-teams. They also started the season with a rookie running back. All together, it is a young and inexperienced offense once you get past Rivers and Gates, who do receive credit for the heavy lifting they have done to this point.

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   I am DB Cooperposted 13 years ago

   What's amazing about the Chargers is their ability to have the top offense and top defense for over a quarter of the football season and still have a terrible record. They should be favored almost every week, because on paper they are better than just about every other team. Look for the Chargers to have a big turn-around in the second half of the season, because eventually things will start to bounce their way. They beat the Titans this week, and without a doubt the Chargers are the best 3-5 team in football. I would not be surprised at all if this team won 9 or 10 games this year. Also, the Chargers are 3-1 at home. Looking at their stats and their home record, they should be favored in almost every home game they have left on their schedule.

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6. 62

   EYEAM4ANARCHYposted 13 years ago

   I picked the Chargers to win the AFC West by default and that's still a good possibility at this point, because the Broncos are horrible and the Raiders aren't much better. But I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Chiefs are still in first place at the end of the season.

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      jobisterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Oakland & Chiefs are playing really well. I never thought I would've said that but this is a new decade so I guess anything is indeed possible.

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   I am DB Cooperposted 13 years ago

   ESPN's Tuesday Morning Quarterback column had a bit more to say about the Chargers this season, including the fact that their special teams is on pace to be the worst special teams unit of all time. They've given up 4 punt returns for touchdowns, they've had 3 blocked kicks, and this past week they botched a punt snap and took a safety and also screwed up a PAT. Their special teams is really the only thing that's held them back from being a 6-2 team at this point. You would think that's got to improve as the season goes along.

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      EYEAM4ANARCHYposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      It would be hard for it to get any worse.

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8. 0

   Stevennix2001posted 13 years ago

   the problem with the chargers is they lack leadership.  LT used to be the rock of that team. now he's gone, and they're looking to phillip rivers to become their new leader.  the problem?  rivers is an idiot.  for one, he's not a great leader.  sure, he has all the talent and intangibles to be ranked among the elites like Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Brett Favre and others.  However, when it comes to maturity, he lacks severely in that department.  for one, he would always trash talk too much to jay cutler, when he was still with the broncos.  don't get me wrong, i enjoy seeing these athletes trash talk as much as anybody, but rivers damn near took it back to preschool level, that made you question his leadership capabilities.  plus, don't even look at the rest of the chargers team, as there's no definitive leader on that team anymore.  Sure, they have the talent, but without a leader, they're nothing.  LT was more than a running back, and now they're going to realize that, since he's gone.

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   optimus grimlockposted 13 years ago

   chargers have top defence wtf are you smokin??? ravens,jets,pakers are top, cardinals rams lions have improveing defences that could be better by seasons end, top 20 defence yes top 5 no.

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      I am DB Cooperposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Just stating the facts. I haven't checked this week but through the first 6 weeks of the season the Chargers had the fewest yards allowed on defense. They also had the most yards on offense, which made their 2-4 record just baffling. Make no doubt about it, untimely mistakes and ridiculously poor special teams are the reason they have a losing record.

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         optimus grimlockposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         ya they said they had a top rank defence yester day and I was shocked because when I watch them they miss tackle and give up points. I believe baltimore and the jets have more better overall defence's

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