Chargers desperate for win

We all have bad days and have no option other than to get up and try harder the next day. Such is the plight for several NFL teams today after disappointing efforts last week.

As handicappers, the challenge is to try to get between the ears of these teams and figure out if they will respond in a positive manner.

San Diego laid an inexplicable dinosaur egg at home in a loss to Oakland last week, severely hurting its chances of making the postseason.

The Chargers trail Kansas City by two games in the AFC West with time slipping away. San Diego must beat the Chiefs today and get some help down the road. In Week 1, the Chiefs topped the Chargers 21-14, holding off a furious late effort by Philip Rivers. It was the win that jump-started the Chiefs' season.

The major development during the week was quarterback Matt Cassel's emergency appendectomy, making Brodie Croyle the starter. At the outset of the week, San Diego was a 6-point favorite, and the line has jumped to minus-9 while the total has dipped one point to 45½.

If there is a silver lining for the Chiefs, Croyle at least was able to get a week's worth of reps in practice with the first team. Despite losing all nine games he started since 2006, Croyle should be a different player now with experience, but shaking off the rust is a major concern.

Expect the betting public to take the Chargers for one more ride today.

The New York Jets are coming off a Monday night beatdown at the hands of New England. The brash Jets now have bruised egos as they host AFC East rival Miami, which is about a 5½-point underdog.

The good news for the Jets is they have a solid three-game cushion to be at least a wild card in the AFC. But they seem destined to be road warriors when the playoffs roll around.

Tampa Bay let one slip away last week against Atlanta in what was an absolute must-win situation. How will the Buccaneers deal with the heartbreak, knowing that their playoff chances probably have been extinguished?

Washington is in worse shape at 5-7. Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was finally jettisoned by coach Mike Shanahan, ending the Redskins' soap opera that plagued the locker room. The Bucs, 1½-point favorites, try hard in every game, but this young bunch is still trying to learn how to win tight games.

Chicago just keeps winning, but it faces a stern challenge when Tom Brady blows into town for an afternoon game.

New England, a 3-point favorite, has been exceptionally efficient on offense, with the defense coming off its best effort this season. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has been delivering but remains a scary prospect on occasion. The chess match is between the Bears' stout defense and Brady, who is having another Most Valuable Player-caliber season.

Michael Vick is the featured attraction in tonight's finale as Philadelphia is a 3½-point favorite at Dallas in an NFC East clash that matters more to the Eagles.

The Cowboys have shown signs of life, but they suffered a big loss with rookie receiver Dez Bryant out for the season.

From the weather department, look out in several locations today, specifically Chicago, Buffalo and Pittsburgh.

The Patriots-Bears game will experience winds of 25 to 40 mph with frigid temperatures, and the total for the game has plummeted as much as four points to 37½ with news of the poor weather conditions.

Brian Blessing, host of Sportsbook Radio on ESPN (1100 AM, 98.9 FM), can be reached at blessproductions@yahoo.com.