NFL Odds: Chargers favored to end slump as they take on hapless Raiders
The San Diego Chargers entered their bye week in the midst of an 0-3 straight up and against the spread slump. The Chargers get some healthy bodies back this week and also get what should be a good slump-buster hosting the 0-9 straight up Oakland Raiders.
San Diego is currently a 10.5-point home favorite according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. Oakland has enjoyed some against the spread success as a big road underdog in recent seasons with a 9-1 ATS record in its last 10 games as a double-digit road underdog, but the OddsShark Computer suggests that success won't continue this Sunday as the Chargers are projected to cruise to an easy 23.2 to 9.4 win.
The Houston Texans visit the Cleveland Browns this Sunday with a new starting quarterback under center. Ryan Mallett will make his first career start in place of the ineffective Ryan Fitzpatrick. Houston is 0-11 SU in its last 11 games as a road underdog, and that losing streak could continue as the computer predicts Cleveland winning by a score of 23.3 to 21.2. That score would give the Texans a cover as a 3-point underdog.
Despite having given up 50+ points in each of their last two games, the Chicago Bears are a 2.5-point favorite this Sunday at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com hosting the Minnesota Vikings. The Bears are just 1-4 SU and 0-5 ATS in their last five divisional home games. Minnesota has also struggled against divisional opponents with an 0-6-1 SU and 2-5 ATS record in its last seven road games against NFC North teams, but the computer is predicting a 20.2 to 14.4 upset in the Vikings' favor this Sunday.
Meanwhile, in Indianapolis, the Colts host the Patriots in a game that fans and bettors are expecting to be a high-scoring affair between two of the league's best offenses. The OddsShark Computer feels the same way, churning out a score of New England 34.5 to Indianapolis 33 that would put the total comfortably OVER the posted total of 57.5 points. That score would also give the Patriots an outright upset win as a 3-point road underdog at Indianapolis.
