Tomlinson, Chargers should rip Raiders

If it appears LaDainian Tomlinson is slowing in his old age, that he has lost a step and is not a breakaway threat, the San Diego Chargers running back wants everyone to know otherwise. He's still the best.

No back in the NFL can do all that he does, he said recently, and any opinions to the contrary are foolish.

Tomlinson objected this summer when Jim Brown and others touted Minnesota's Adrian Peterson as the league's top runner. Peterson is the best, and it's obvious, but Tomlinson won't accept it.

He turned 30 in June, is entering his ninth year and has a point to prove. A motivated Tomlinson is a good sign for the Chargers, who needed a kick in the backside after sliding to 8-8 last season.

San Diego's emphasis in training camp was getting off to a better start this season, and Monday night marks the beginning of what could be a Super Bowl run for a deep and talented team.

The Chargers are 91/2-point road favorites over the Oakland Raiders, who are doomed for another bad trip. A series of botched draft picks, trades and coaching hires have put the Raiders on a lost arc.

But continuing to rip on the Raiders is sort of like teaching a pig to dance -- it's a ridiculous waste of time, and it irritates the pig. So let's move on.

With Oakland, Denver and Kansas City all in the Dumpster, the AFC West belongs to San Diego. The class difference between the Chargers and Raiders should show in the season opener.

Philip Rivers led the league with a 105.5 passer rating last year while throwing for 34 touchdowns, with just 11 interceptions.

Tomlinson, who posted career lows of 292 carries and 1,110 yards rushing in 2008, is out to show he's not in decline.

San Diego has won 12 consecutive games against Oakland and is 11-1 against the spread during the streak.

The Chargers clinched their 28-18 road win over the Raiders last year when Tomlinson busted loose for a 41-yard touchdown run with 1:04 left. It was a miracle cover. No miracles should be needed this time.

Four more plays for Week 1 (Home team in CAPS):

• Jaguars (+7) over COLTS: The departure of coach Tony Dungy will hurt Indianapolis in the long haul. The immediate concern for the Colts is the absence of safety Bob Sanders. It's a different defense without him, and Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew can take advantage. These teams split last season, with each winning on the road. Indianapolis has covered six of its past 19 as a favorite.

• 49ers (+61/2) over CARDINALS: It looks like the typical hangover for the Super Bowl loser is hitting Arizona, which played poorly during a winless preseason. San Francisco coach Mike Singletary has a team short on talent, but he'll demand a big effort every week. The road team is on a 7-0-1 ATS run in the series.

• PACKERS (-31/2) over Bears: It's too soon to expect great things from Jay Cutler and the Chicago offense. On the other hand, Aaron Rodgers has the Green Bay offense running smoothly. The Packers are better on both sides of the ball and might be the best team in the NFC. Green Bay should win by seven to 10 points.

• PATRIOTS (-11) over Bills: New England has lost six defensive starters from last year, but coach Bill Belichick can handle it. The Patriots are too explosive offensively for the punchless Bills to keep pace. New England has won 11 straight in the series, covering nine.

Last season: 42-39-4 against the spread.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.