Sloppy Chargers live home ‘dog
When a star player stumbles and falls, his apologists search for excuses. So it goes now with San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who has been playing so poorly it's comical.
In a loss to the New York Jets two weeks ago, he ran a pitiful two-minute drill. As ugly as that was, he topped it Monday in Kansas City by fumbling a snap in a stunning loss to the Chiefs.
It makes no sense that one of the NFL's top quarterbacks would fall apart overnight. Is he injured? Is he distracted? Is he sad about Kim Kardashian's failed marriage?
"Nothing's wrong," Rivers said this week, when badgered by the media about a possible secret health issue.
Truth is, the team has slowly deteriorated around Rivers, and it's hurting his play. San Diego's defense is stripped by injuries, tight end Antonio Gates is hobbled and has lost a step, and the front-office geniuses allowed a valuable playmaker, running back Darren Sproles, to escape to New Orleans.
A coaching change is long overdue. Norv Turner is no disciplinarian, and the Chargers get sloppy because of it. Count the total of 25 penalties in the past two games.
Turner is supposed to be a sharp play-caller, but he lost the magic touch, if he ever had it. San Diego was shut out in the second half and blew an 11-point halftime lead to the Jets. Against the Chiefs, the Chargers spent half the night in the red zone and came away with only one touchdown.
Why Rivers dropped a snap before a potential game-winning field goal can't be explained. It had nothing to do with a mystery injury, and Turner's not to blame for it.
On the opposite sideline Sunday will be the Green Bay Packers, the defending Super Bowl champions. The Packers are 7-0 straight up and 5-2 against inflated point spreads, and Las Vegas sports books are offering a proposition bet on them finishing 16-0.
Aaron Rodgers is playing the league's hottest hand. He has completed 71.5 percent of his passes for 2,372 yards and 20 touchdowns with three interceptions. His passer rating (125.7) resembles Death Valley's high temperature in July.
Rivers has thrown a league-high 11 interceptions. He never has been the league's most talented QB. Some of his throws imitate wounded ducks, and he runs as if he has a wooden leg. But he's a tough competitor who won't go down without a fight.
This does not make much sense, but strange results are routine in the NFL, so I'll take the Chargers and the points and say a prayer for an ugly home underdog. The line is 5½, and for wagering purposes I'll wait for it to hit 6.
San Diego (4-3) still is the favorite to win the AFC West, and Rivers has a shot to excel against Green Bay's soft pass defense. All the negativity surrounding the Chargers could turn into a positive. Stranger things have happened.
Four more plays for Week 9 (Home team in CAPS):
■ Jets (+2) over BILLS: Jets coach Rex Ryan handed Buffalo two severe beatings last season, 38-14 and 38-7, so I'll follow the series trend. The Jets are 0-3 on the road and due for a breakout game. The Bills are due for a setback.
■ Broncos (+8) over RAIDERS: With running back Darren McFadden out, Oakland's offense will sputter with Carson Palmer at quarterback. This is a bet against the Raiders' new and unimproved look, not a vote of confidence for Denver's Tim Tebow.
■ Giants (+9) over PATRIOTS: Dallas and Pittsburgh showed it's possible to slow Tom Brady's passing attack. The Giants' defensive line can do something similar. Eli Manning tends to play better on the road, and the Giants are 14-7 ATS in their past 21 as road 'dogs.
■ STEELERS (-3) over Ravens: Defenses do not fear Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco, and the Steelers will make Flacco look bad again. Ben Roethlisberger was terrible in Pittsburgh's 35-7 loss in Week 1, but it's payback time.
Last week: 2-3 against the spread
Season: 21-16-3
Las Vegas Review-Journal sports betting columnist Matt Youmans can be reached at 702-387-2907 or myoumans@reviewjournal.com.
