Give Philip Rivers a send-off, take the Chargers over Dolphins
If this is the end, it’s sad. What appears to be the Chargers’ final season in San Diego is coming to a forgettable conclusion. Philip Rivers has spent his 12-year NFL career as the quarterback for one team.
“I could get emotional thinking about it,” Rivers said this week.
Rivers’ tale might soon involve a second city. It should be decided in the next couple of months if the Chargers will relocate to Los Angeles, so Sunday could mark their last game in San Diego. It will be treated that way, because the odds are shaded that way.
The season has been a lost cause for the Chargers in more ways than one. San Diego is 3-10, last in the AFC West by a wide margin, and Qualcomm Stadium has not offered much of a home-field advantage while thousands of angry fans have avoided the games.
But fans tend to get sentimental and they probably will show up this weekend to give the Chargers a proper send-off, and if that’s the case, expect the Chargers to finally show up, too. Rivers, who does not love the idea of moving to L.A., will put everything into this finale.
Emotions might not be enough to carry San Diego to a rare win, but it’s an angle worth playing. I’ll bet the Chargers as 2-point favorites over the Miami Dolphins, who are playing for nothing at this point.
The same angle worked Thursday, when the Rams – likely moving from St. Louis to L.A. – put forth an emotionally charged effort to win their final home game. Pretty soon, a similar scene could develop in Oakland.
It’s not an easy decision to back the Chargers, who scored exactly three points in three of their past four games, but the opponent helps make the decision. The Dolphins (5-8) have dropped three of their past four games and are working on a short week after losing Monday night.
Rivers has continued to post impressive numbers while surrounded by a collapsing cast and off-field uncertainty. He ranks third in the league in passing yards (3,976), fifth in completion percentage (66.4) and has 23 touchdown passes. Miami ranks 24th in pass defense, and was just shredded by the New York Giants’ Eli Manning, so it’s a favorable matchup for Rivers.
For those of us who frequent San Diego and have seen several games at the Q, here’s hoping the Chargers go off into the sunset with a win.
And here are four more picks for Week 15 (home team in CAPS):
GIANTS (+4½) over Panthers: Manning, who completed 27 of 31 passes for 337 yards against the Dolphins, usually plays his best in big games like this. Odell Beckham Jr., who hauled in two of Manning’s four touchdown passes, is stretching defenses. The Giants’ ground attack is showing some punch, and their defensive front is putting more pressure on quarterbacks. Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart is out with a foot injury. The Panthers (13-0) have been coasting, but if they are going to stumble in the pursuit of 16-0, this is the spot.
Packers (-3) over RAIDERS: Despite the Raiders’ upset win in Denver last week, their offense is fading late in the season. Oakland totaled just 126 yards against the Broncos, and that followed quarterback Derek Carr’s terrible fourth quarter in a home loss to Kansas City. Carr cannot trade points with Aaron Rodgers, who is getting better protection from his offensive line and more support from Green Bay’s rushing attack.
Broncos (+7) over STEELERS: Denver ranks No. 1 in total defense (272.5 yards per game) and scoring defense (17.3). The Ben Roethlisberger-led Pittsburgh offense is piling up points, but the Broncos will put up stiffer resistance. Denver’s offense is slumping, but Brock Osweiler needs more help from his line and receivers. The guess is he gets it this week, and I like to bet on a good team off a bad loss.
49ERS (+6) over Bengals: AJ McCarron, replacing injured Cincinnati star Andy Dalton, is getting his first start. McCarron can fill the shoes, but here’s a big trend he must buck: A quarterback from Alabama has not started and won an NFL game since 1987. San Francisco has played much better at home, especially defensively.
Last week: 4-1 against the spread
Season: 35-32-3
Las Vegas Review-Journal sports betting columnist Matt Youmans can be reached at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. He co-hosts “The Las Vegas Sportsline” weekdays at 2 p.m. on ESPN Radio (1100 AM). Follow: @mattyoumans247
