What bettors need to know: Chargers at Steelers
By
SEAN MURPHY - My goals are simple: win and make consistent profit.
October 3, 2009
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San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers (-6.5, 43)
Odds provided by BetUS.com.
Line movement
Bettors will undoubtedly see some movement leading up to kickoff, but the line has held steady since opening.
Most books sent out a -6.5 and that’s where the number remains as of Saturday morning.
The total has had some substantial movement.
The number opened at 41, but has since been bet up a full two points to 43 at most books.
Consensus reports indicate that the majority of bettors are backing the Chargers plus the points.
Looking for revenge
The Chargers should be familiar with their surroundings, as they played at Heinz Field twice last season, losing 11-10 in the regular season and 35-24 in the playoffs.
The Steelers held a decisive edge in terms of total yardage, racking up 752 yards compared to the Chargers 503 over the two games.
Head coach Norv Turner knows what his team needs to do to be successful.
“You can move the ball, but if you’re going to be the type of football team we want to be, you’re going to have to run the football,” Turner told reporters. “If you look at the good teams and the type of teams we would like to be, you see them run the ball.”
San Diego last defeated Pittsburgh in 2006, 23-13 at Qualcomm Stadium.
Pittsburgh has won six of the last seven matchups in the series, going 5-2 ATS over that stretch.
Slumping Steelers
Since opening the season with a 13-10 overtime victory over the Titans, the Steelers have dropped back-to-back games.
Last week, Pittsburgh outgained Cincinnati by 100 yards and held an 11-point, fourth-quarter lead before allowing the Bengals to rally with two touchdowns in the game’s final 10 minutes.
The Steelers are now 0-3 ATS to start the season. You’ll remember they opened 1-3 ATS last season before going 10-5 ATS over their last 15 contests en route to a Super Bowl victory.
Mike Tomlin is confident that they can get things turned around back at home.
“We have some work to do and we have a top-quality, familiar opponent coming in here that is a playoff-caliber team, and has been one perennially,” Tomlin said earlier this week. “We respect that, and we are excited about doing it back at Heinz Field in front of our fans.”
Walking wounded
The Chargers appear to be the more battered team with a lengthy injury list filled with key cogs on both sides of the ball.
Shawne Merriman, LaDainian Tomlinson, Vincent Jackson, Antwan Applewhite, and Louis Vasquez are all listed as questionable.
Both Nick Hardwick and Jamal Williams will sit out this game and remain sidelined indefinitely
Willie Parker should be good to go for the Steelers, currently listed as probable with a toe injury. He had his best game of the young season last Sunday, running for 93 yards against the Bengals.
“It’s painful, but it’s something I can deal with, so we’ll take it day by day.” Parker said earlier this week.
Troy Polamalu is still recovering from an MCL sprain. His absence has had a direct impact on the defense over the last two weeks.
Trends and things
The Chargers are an impressive 10-2-1 ATS in their last 13 games as an underdog of between 3.5 and 10 points.
They also own an impressive 20-9-1 ATS record in their last 30 games against AFC opponents.
Steelers backers will welcome the arrival of October with open arms. Their team is a rock solid 24-9-1 ATS in their last 34 games in the 10th month of the year.
The over is 46-20-2 in the last 68 games played at Heinz Field.