NFL Picks Week 9: Green Bay Packers vs. San Diego Chargers

The Green Bay Packers (7-0) are the only undefeated team in the National Football League heading into Week 9, and they will travel to take on the San Diego Chargers (4-3).

Kickoff from inside Qualcomm Stadium is scheduled for 4:15 ET and will be televised on FOX.

Oddsmakers have established the Packers as solid 5.5-point road favorites, while the total has fallen to 50.5.

Let's take a look at one of Sunday's marquee games from a betting perspective.

Packers Love Traveling to San Diego

The Green Bay Packers are a perfect 5-0 when playing on the road against the Chargers, joining the Atlanta Falcons (5-0) as the only other NFL team to never taste defeat in San Diego when playing at least three games there.

Traveling to the West Coast will also not be a major disadvantage for the team, coming off a week of rest.

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy has registered a 4-1 record following a bye week.

Green Bay's last trip to Southern California came in 2003, capturing a 38-21 victory as 5.5-point road favorites.

San Diego Chargers Are the NFL's Biggest Underachievers

The San Diego Chargers are at it again, ranking in the top 10 in both total offense and defense this season.

It's resulted in a mediocre 4-3 record, including consecutive losses against the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs entering Sunday's tilt.

Bettors have profited greatly in fading this underachieving franchise, with the team coming in with a 2-5 against-the-spread record.

Aaron Rodgers

The discussion of the NFL's top quarterback begins and ends with Aaron Rodgers heading into Week 9. He comes in as the only player in league history to throw for 2,300 or more yards and 20 touchdowns through the first seven games of the season.

Rodgers' passer rating of 125.7 is simply astounding when you realize that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is second on the list at 104.4.

Despite failing to cover the number in two of four road games this season, he still stands at a money-making 20-12 ATS away from Lambeau Field.

San Diego will definitely be a challenging opponent, ranking fourth in the league in allowing just 185.9 passing yards per game.

Brady did torch the Chargers' secondary for 423 yards and three touchdowns in Week 2, but that game was in Foxborough.

Philip Rivers

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers will be glad to play in front of the home fans after three straight road games, but he needs to relax.

It's amazing how much screen time the former NC State star gets when arguing with referees throughout the game.

He needs to concentrate on not throwing the ball to the other team, especially when facing Green Bay cornerback Charles Woodson.

Rivers paces the NFL with 11 interceptions and is No. 19 in passer rating (80.7)

A turnaround in performance may be in the offering Sunday, with the signal-caller putting his 11-6-1 ATS record on the line as an underdog.

Prediction

The San Diego Chargers are a perfect 5-0 straight up and ATS when playing as a home underdog.

I definitely feel that the betting odds have been inflated due to the host coming in on a two-game losing streak, while the Green Bay Packers are one of the more heavily wagered teams in the NFL.

Oddsmakers are looking for even action on this contest, and sending out a number of 3.5 would have attracted too much action on the visitor.

Bettors shouldn't go nuts over this game, as I feel the line is correct in its placement, especially with the Packers being 4-1 ATS as a road favorite of 3.5 to 7.0 points the last two-plus campaigns.

Pick:  San Diego Chargers (+5.5)