Houston Texans (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS) vs. San Diego Chargers (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS)
Week 1 NFL
Date/Time: MNF, September 9, 2013 at 10PM EST
Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
TV: ESPN
By Loot, NFL Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Point Spread: Hou -4/SD +4
Over/Under Total: 45
In the second of two Monday games, the Houston Texans come into Qualcomm Stadium to take on the San Diego Chargers. The Texans are coming off a 12-4 season and are looking to further their cause with even a better season in 2013, especially after losing 4 of their last 6 games last season, including a divisional playoff game loss to New England. The Chargers, meanwhile are coming off a 7-9 season and look to regain their form from a few years back.
When watching San Diego the last season or two, some major deficiencies stood out among the wreckage. Head coach Norv Turner seemed to lose his mojo more with each passing game. QB Philip Rivers was having a really tough time. Sure, he could have made some better decisions, but he had an inconsistent set of tools around him. The receiving corps had a ton of injuries, the running game was at times horrible, and the offensive line featured guys who began the season on the street. Some of these issues have been addressed, with a ton of transition taking place on both sides of the ball.
One of the lone bright spots from the San Diego passing attack, Danario Alexander, was lost for the season with a knee injury in training camp. Other than that, there are some good signs. If Vincent Brown can stay healthy, that will give them a big boost. Rookie Keenan Allen out of Cal should be productive, and newly-acquired Danny Woodhead should be a nice dump-off option for Rivers. And lest we forget TE Antonio Gates, who when healthy, is the best in the business. Malcom Floyd can also be a very productive threat. Robert Meachem is looking for a bounce-back season and Eddie Royal rounds out a viable passing game. If they can get even a pretty good season out of RB Ryan Mathews, watch out for the Chargers on offense.
What lends the most hope to the Chargers on offense is a revamped line and secondary. While they still need to come together, these are areas that look a lot better--at least on paper. The secondary adds two new corners in Shareece Wright and Derek Cox from Jacksonville. They moved former corner Marcus Gilchrist to strong safety and already have a fine free safety in Eric Weddle. Losing former first-rounder LB Melvin Ingram for the year in spring camp does hurta lot, however, as he was starting come along well. At O-line, they drafted T D.J. Fluker in the first round and added T Max Starks from Pittsburgh and T King Dunlap from the Eagles to finally provide some quality and depth at the bookends. Rivers works with old center Nick Hardwick, who should have another good year or two in him.
The Chargers are trying to rebuild and get to a place and Houston is already there, coming off a pair of division titles. There are playmakers on both sides of the ball and they went ahead and added some pieces just to make sure. Their quarterback, while good, needs to elevate to break into elite status. Still, this is a tough team to beat, as in any squad that runs a ball-control offense, is loaded at the skill positions, and has a great defense and special teams.
Schaub works behind an offensive line that has taken enormous strides in the past few years, becoming what is arguably the best line in the conference. Center Chris Myers, G Wade Smith, And T Duane Brown are all top-notch. Defensive end J.J. Watt (20.5 sacks) was the Defensive Player of the Year, and they add a pair of awesome safeties in draft pick DJ Swearinger and Ed Reed--if he can get and stay healthy. They added a top punter in Shane Lechler and have a lot of guys on both sides of the ball who should be better in their second and third seasons. In addition, they get some guys back, like LB Brian Cushing from injury. Houston had a good draft, with Swearinger, DeAndre Hopkins, who could take some pressure over number-one receiver Andre Johnson, and a nice linebacker in LSU’s Sam Montgomery.
It would be unfortunate if Texans’ RB Arian Foster were hurt this season. He’s been nursing a calf injury that has kept him out of the preseason. But if he’s ready to go, he should have another big season. Schaub needs Foster to provide balance to the pass game which features Andre Johnson coming off a great year and now with a righteous number-two receiver in Hopkins. They get great tight end play from Owen Daniels and Garrett Graham--guys who can both block and catch.
One could say the Texans are the more cemented and ready-to-go team of the two. San Diego is in rebuilding mode and can’t be depended on just yet. For the past few years, Houston beats teams like San Diego--even on the road and by margins greater than what this point-spread indicates. Just watch out because San Diego is generally at their best when no one is expecting much from them, as is the case this season.
Loot's Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Take the San Diego Chargers and 4 points.
