NFL FOOTBALL BETTING PREDICTION - INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

NFL Football

2009-01-03 - Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers

A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown

San Diego Chargers v Indianapolis Colts
Football: United States, NFL
Saturday, 3rd January 2009 - Kickoff 4:30pm ET

San Diego Chargers

San Diego Chargers were dead in the water 4 weeks ago as they sat with a 4-8 record, 3 games behind Denver in the race for the AFC West. However, the last 4 weeks also saw the Chargers play the kind of football that all expected of them and somehow sneak into the playoffs as Denver capitulated. Now they must be considered a real danger...

San Diego finished the season with an 8-8 record, giving them the worst record out of all the teams in the playoffs. At home they ended 5-3, including a defeat against the Colts earlier this year. A real downside to San Diego is their record against fellow play off teams, compiling a 0-5 record against them this season. 3 of those defeats came at home, although it was by a combined 11 points. The Chargers have gathered some momentum coming into this game, winning their last 4 games, including racking up 93 points in their last 2 games.

There are some serious concerns for the Chargers again at this time of year, as they had last season during the AFC Championship match against the New England Patriots. LaDanian Tomlinson suffered a groin injury last week and Antonio Gates has a knock but both are expected to play.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts were another team that had a really disappointing start to this season, but they have been gathering momentum for some time now, winning their last 9 games to finish the season with a 12-4 record. This did not prevent them from keeping their title as AFC South Division winners however, and meant the Colts managed to receive one of the Wild Cards from the AFC. This also presented a problem in having to been on the road for, more than likely, the entire playoffs.

The Colts have a contrasting record against fellow playoff teams compared with San Diego going 5-1 this season. On the road that was 3-1 this season. The defence has been the real key for the Colts this season, with no team scoring more than 27 points in their last 9 games and they have conceded a NFL low of only 6 touchdown passes this season.

Indianapolis are also suffering from a few injury worries, but mainly in the defensive positions. Gary Brackett remains out and they also suffered injuries to Mike Pollak and Jamey Richard last week. The defensive unit could be boosted by the return of Bob Sanders this week, but that will be a game time decision.

Head to Head and Against the Spread

The Colts will be reminded that the Chargers were the team that came into Indianapolis last season to knock the Colts out of the playoffs. San Diego had won the last 3 meetings between the sides but that was snapped earlier this season when the Colts won in San Diego 23-20.

The match between the sides earlier this season was very close, with the Colts coming through with a winning field goal with only 2 seconds left on the clock.

San Diego love playing the Colts tough and have won 4 of the last 5 Against the Spread against them.

Both the Colts and the Chargers have won 3 of their last 4 games ATS.

San Diego were 4-4 ATS this season at home. Indianapolis went 5-2-1 ATS on the road.

Head to Head

I am sure that 4 weeks ago, the Colts were salivating at the prospect of having to play the porous Denver Broncos in the Wild Card playoff matches. Even in Denver, I think the Colts would have won handily and I think they knew that also. However, their worst scenario has come true with San Diego finally winning the AFC West and setting up this great playoff match.

Apart from the New England Patriots, I think this was the one team that Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy really wanted to avoid. The Chargers are beginning to play like the side we expected to see this season and they truly are a dark horse in this playoff series.

The Chargers always will play the Colts tough and I have a feeling they will continue their roll and knock of Manning and the Colts for a 2nd consecutive season

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

San Diego Chargers WIN