San Diego Chargers Vs Cincinnati Bengals: Las Vegas Line & Pick Against the Spread

San Diego Chargers Must Avoid Looking Ahead of Cincinnati Bengals

Todd Jacobs, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Dec 19, 2010 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

The San Diego Chargers travel to the cold confines in Cincinnati to take on the Cincinnati Bengals December 26th. Phillip Rivers has not fared well away from Qualcomm Stadium this season and Cincinnati is not going to be an easy place to play in lat December. The one positive for Phillip Rivers is he will be playing a Cincinnati Bengals team that is playing well below expectations this season.

San Diego Chargers Offense vs Cincinnati Bengals Defense

Phillip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers offense has been impressive at times but on the road they are a different team. The addition of Vincent Jackson to the San Diego Chargers offense finally paid off with a big three touchdown game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football.

The lack of a running game may hurt the San Diego Chargers in this game. Rookie Ryan Mathews has struggled to adjust to the NFL and injuries have not helped him. Mike Tolbert has picked up the slack and his bowling ball looks and his running style is conjuring memories of Natrone Means for old time San Diego Chargers fans.

The Cincinnati Bengals defense has been the better half of this team but this is not saying much. This defense is giving up over 120 yards per game on the ground and the pass defense is average among NFL teams. The Cincinnati Bengals pass defense is allowing opposing quarterbacks 223 yards per game through the air. The San Diego Chargers offense has the edge over the Cincinnati Bengals defense.

San Diego Chargers Defense vs Cincinnati Bengals Offense

The San Diego Chargers defense has been underrated all season. They lead the NFL in pass defense and are only allowing 173 yards per game to opposing quarterbacks. Steven Cooper and the San Diego Chargers defense is an active and adjusting defense that has free reign in certain situations under the guidance of defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. Against the run the San Diego Chargers have also been tough. They are holding the opposition to 91 yards per game.

Carson Palmer and his Cincinnati Bengals offense were expected to tear up NFL defenses this season. Their two NFL Draft picks, Jermaine Gresham and Jordan Shipley have integrated well into the offense and both could become factors for years to come in this offense.

The pairing of Chad Ocho Cinco and Terrell Owens has led to big numbers for Owens but he left the game against the Cleveland Browns with a knee injury that could potentially end his season. Keep an eye on the early week injury reports.

The one missing ingredient this season for the Cincinnati Bengals has been their lack of a running game. Cedric Benson looked much better in the Cleveland game but there is the matter of consistency. The San Diego Chargers defense has the edge over the Cincinnati Bengals offense.

San Diego Chargers -6.5 vs Cincinnati Bengals: Las Vegas Line & Pick Against the Spread

The Las Vegas Hilton Superbook has made the visiting San Diego Chargers a six and a half point favorite over the Cincinnati Bengals. The San Diego Chargers are 2-4 against the spread when on the road and they are 8-6 overall against the spread. The Cincinnati Bengals are against the spread on their home field and they are overall against the spread. Take the San Diego Chargers -6.5 over the Cincinnati Bengals.