Philip Rivers is likely to get inducted in the Hall of Fame someday, but he definitely would like to get to Canton as a Super Bowl champion, which he has a shot of becoming this season. But can he survive the challenge of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots this coming weekend in a monster matchup between the Bolts and the defending AFC champions? Never to be counted out, NFL Futures price the Patriots at +550 to add to their dynasty while the Chargers are listed at +800, assuming they make it out of Foxboro alive.
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Betting Preview for the Los Angeles Chargers vs New England Patriots NFL Divisional Round Playoff Game on January 13 2019
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Massachusetts
When: Sunday, January 13, 2018, 4:25 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Chargers (+4.5) vs New England Patriots (-4.5) – view all 2018 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
Betting on the Los Angeles Chargers (12-4)
The Chargers are moving into the divisional round of the playoffs, thanks to a huge 23-17 road win against the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday. Philip Rivers didn’t get his usual numbers, with only 160 passing yards and zero touchdowns on 22-of-32 completions, though that was partly understandable given the Chargers’ focus on rushing the ball more because of the Ravens’ tough air defense. Rivers should make more pass attempts next week against the Pats’ defense that, while respectable, was 22nd only in the regular season with 246.8 passing yards allowed per game. On defense, the Chargers will deal with a much less mobile quarterback than Lamar Jackson in the legendary Tom Brady. One of the biggest keys for the Chargers in this matchup is their pass rush, which wowed everyone in the Ravens game by taking down Jackson a total of seven times for a loss of 55 yards. Pass rushers Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa are both expected to make life hard for Brady and the Pats’ passing offense.
The Chargers are 9-1 straight up (SU) and 9-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 road games.
Betting on the New England Patriots (11-5)
Tom Brady has already expressed his excitement over the upcoming meeting with Philip Rivers and the Chargers via an Instagram post, which is symbolic to not a few people, largely because of one reason: the fact that Rivers hasn’t yet beaten Brady in the playoffs. In fact, according to ESPN Stats & Info’s Twitter account, Brady is 7-0 SU against Rivers in games played beyond Week 17. In other words, Brady owns Rivers. Another thing going for the Patriots is that they have yet to lose a game this season in Foxboro. Moreover, they have not lost at home since October of 2017. Also, the Patriots have passed each and every test thrown their way by fellow playoff teams this season. They have beaten the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and Chicago Bears. Pressure remains a thing even for battle-hardened folks like Brady, but it sure feels like the Pats are the least susceptible to buckle under it.
The Patriots are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
New England wins, 25-23.
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