Choking Chargers gift-wrap it for Jets

Instead of putting the game away and forcing Rex Ryan to stick a foot in his mouth, the San Diego Chargers let ’em off the hook.

The Chargers are who we thought they were — chokers and underachievers — and that’s why the Jets took the field. It’s also why betting on the Chargers in a big game is a gamble that often can blow up in your face.

San Diego’s latest disappointment, a 27-21 loss at New York on Sunday, was not coach Norv Turner’s doing. This time, most of the clumsiness came from quarterback Philip Rivers.

With a 21-10 halftime lead, the Chargers’ offense packed it in as Rivers threw two interceptions and led an embarrassingly lame two-minute drill.

"The Chargers came out and looked like they were going to put it on them," MGM Resorts sports book director Jay Rood said. "That was a weird game. The number was bouncing back and forth, and the parlays were in favor of the Chargers. It was a game that got a lot of interest, and there was big money on both sides."

The Jets opened as slight favorites, but the line closed at Chargers minus-1, and San Diego appeared to be the right side throughout the first half. But when wagering on NFL games, your fortunes can turn in a flash.

On a day when Tim Tebow overcame a 15-point deficit, Aaron Rodgers got too comfortable sitting on a 16-point cushion and left the back door open.

"No lead is safe," Rood said. "It’s crazy how these teams fold the tent."

Rood was referring mostly to the Miami Dolphins, who managed to make all the wrong moves in the fourth quarter and overtime. Tebow’s first start of the season for Denver was a dud for three quarters. He was 3-for-8 passing for 24 yards.

But Dolphins coach Tony Sparano triggered a collapse by calling for a 2-point conversion attempt, which failed, with a 12-0 lead six seconds into the fourth. Tebow passed for his first touchdown with 2:44 left and, after Miami failed to cover an onside kick, added another with 17 seconds to go.

On the Broncos’ 2-point attempt, there was a 99 percent chance Tebow would run the ball. Amazingly, the Dolphins allowed him to run untouched for the tying score, and Denver eventually won, 18-15. Heavy public betting on the Broncos turned them from underdogs to 1-point favorites.

"All of a sudden, the Dolphins forgot how to play defense. I was sitting there watching the game, and said, ‘This is not going to end well,’ " Rood said. "The room exploded when Tebow tied it. I’ve never seen someone who has not done much on the field become so popular. It’s crazy. He’s like a rock star.

"All the parlays were flowing through Denver in the morning and going to the big favorites."

Four public favorites — Dallas, Green Bay, Pittsburgh and New Orleans — were involved in the day’s final five games. Only the Packers failed to cover, easing some of the books’ parlay liability.

Rookie quarterback Christian Ponder rallied the Minnesota Vikings to a 33-27 loss. The Packers, favored by 10 to 10½ points, hung on despite being held scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Kansas City was a sharp play as a 3½-point underdog in the other afternoon game, and the Chiefs pounded Oakland, 28-0. If you bet the Raiders, considering their mess at the quarterback position, you have the right to remain silent and feel stupid.

There were two double-digit ‘dogs on the card, and both played dead. The Indianapolis Corpses were buried 62-7 by the Saints, who were laying 14 points. The margin landed on the key number of 55, as Drew Brees passed for five touchdowns.

If oddsmakers posted win totals on teams at this point, would the Colts’ total be 1½?

The St. Louis Rams, also 14-point underdogs, got drubbed 34-7 in Dallas. DeMarco Murray, a former Bishop Gorman High star, imitated Tony Dorsett while rushing for a Cowboys-record 253 yards.

Carolina and Chicago also posted victories to help favorites go 6-5-1 against the spread. Cleveland, a 3-point favorite, beat Seattle 6-3 in a pathetic display that won’t be replayed on the NFL Network this week.

The books need Jacksonville, a 10-point home ‘dog, to cover tonight against Baltimore. Rood called the amount of money on the Ravens "ridiculous."

The same term described the Chargers’ choke job. With time ticking away in the final minute, Rivers threw a 3-yard pass, a 4-yard pass and two incompletions, and only then was it obvious the Jets were the bet.

Contact sports betting columnist Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. He co-hosts the "Las Vegas Sportsline" weeknights at midnight on KDWN-AM (720) and thelasvegassportsline.com.