NFL Week 7 Upset Pick: San Diego Chargers Pound the New England Patriots

The San Diego Chargers are looking forward to playing at home in Week 7 when they host the New England Patriots. After all, the Chargers have yet to lose a game in San Diego, and have struggled mightily on the road posting a 0-4 record on the NFL highway. Although the Chargers have struggled this year the latest NFL betting odds have the Chargers listed as 2.5 point favorites.

The Patriots will look to get a win on the West Coast after a big come-from-behind win over the Baltimore Ravens. If history is any indication of how this game will play out this weekend, the Patriots are in trouble. The Chargers beat them by a score of 41-17 in New England in 2005, and in the most recent meeting in 2008, the Bolts beat the Pats 30-10.  The Patriots hope to turn that around against a Chargers team that is reeling after losing back-to-back games against Oakland and St. Louis.

This is not uncharted territory for the Chargers. They have a history of starting slow in the first six weeks before rebounding to go on a winning streak. The Chargers team may not be winning but statistically they are putting up big numbers and rank in the top five in total offense and total defense. It’s the Chargers offense that will give the Patriots the most trouble.

The Patriots run a blitzing scheme that will leave their corners vulnerable. The safeties will be hard-pressed to give help all over the field with the focus on Antonio Gates, and that will allow Philip Rivers to dissect the secondary and use play action as a deadly weapon.

This is, of course, if Rivers has any weapons on the field.

Leading receiver Malcolm Floyd is almost certainly out due to a hamstring injury he suffered at St. Louis, while star tight end Antonio Gates is questionable after hurting his ankle against the Rams. The latest injury report states that Gates will play in this game. The Patriots pass defense ranks 29th in the league, allowing 273.4 yards per game and this will be a problem for the Patriots against the Bolts.

On defense, the Chargers will be able to put pressure on Brady. Last week against the Ravens, Brady held the ball longer than usual and if he does it again this week, it could result in sacks or turnovers. The new offense relies on patterns that take longer to develop, allowing a pass rush to affect Brady’s throws. The end result was two interceptions for Brady.

The Chargers are 6-2 ATS against a team with a winning record and the Patriots are 1-4 ATS against a team with a losing record. The Chargers get back on the winning track with an easy win over the Patriots.

Chargers -2.5

Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist and the founder of BookieBlitz.com, your one-stop shop for sports articles, previews, and predictions. Feel free to contact Matt at [e-mail]

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