San Diego Chargers (1-1 SU, 2-0 ATS) vs. Indianapolis Colts (0-2 SU, 0-2 ATS)
Week 3 NFL
Date/Time: Sunday, September 25, 2016 at 4:25PM EST
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
TV: CBS
By Loot, NFL Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Betting Odds: SD +3/IND -3
Over/Under Total: 53
The San Diego Chargers come to Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday to face the Indianapolis Colts in week three AFC action. The Chargers scored an impressive 35-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in their home opener to even their mark at 1-1. Frankly, they should easily be 2-0 if not for a memorable collapse to Kansas City in week one. They look to make it 2-1 against a Colts team that has once again started the season poorly. Maybe this is the week where the Colts get their act together after two uneven performances.
With Andrew Luck back in the fold, more was expected from the Colts. In week one, it was the defense that let them down as the Indy offense mounted an impassioned comeback that fell short against Detroit. It's just that the "D" didn't do their part, with the Lions continuing to put up points throughout the game in a tough season-opening loss at home. Week two against Denver and one of the best defenses of this generation, they lost, 34-20, though they were in the game. Luck looked to make a late-game move, with a Von Miller strip-sack and run back for a TD spoiling their comeback bid and making the score look a bit more lopsided that it really was.
The Indy offense was flummoxed in week two, albeit against a really tough defense to look good against. Luck was subpar on 21-for-40 passing with under 200 yards with a TD and a pick that Aqib Talib ran back for a touchdown. In fact, while the defense is always easy to blame for points, the 14 points given up to the defense turned out to be the deciding margin of victory. Luck has weapons like Frank Gore, TY Hilton, Donte Moncrief, Phillip Dorsett, and others who were all mostly stymied against Denver. Look for them to unsheathe some of their offensive potential this week against a road Chargers defense.
The defense was of no help to the Colts in week one. Usually when you see a team snap into comeback-mode, the "D" chips in a little, but they couldn't hold Detroit off, as Luck and Company worked themselves into shape. That cost them the game and giving up 39 to the Lions at home qualifies as a failure. Against Denver on the road in week two, they were far better. They kept Trevor Siemian out of the end zone. Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders were held to 129 yards and the Denver offense scored just one touchdown on the afternoon. They've been pretty leaky against the run so far this season, while not exactly showing a clutch side. Then again, we've seen this "D" struggle before in some of Indy's other typical slow starts, before suddenly snapping into shape. They were without three starters in their secondary on Sunday and we'll see where Vontae Davis (out), TJ Green, and Patrick Robinson stand for this week.
The Chargers needed a win more than anyone in week two, with their 35-14 win over the Jaguars helping them get over what was an absolutely disgraceful loss to Kansas City the week before. They lost Keenan Allen in that game for the season and the injury bug reared its head again on Sunday, with Danny Woodhead going down with a torn ACL and now done for the season. In two weeks, they lost QB Philip Rivers' best weapons. Woodhead was an indispensable and versatile weapon in the air and on the ground and will be dearly missed. While it looked like they could maybe even make it work without Allen, losing Woodhead is a hurdle this offense may not be able to overcome.
Be that as it may, Rivers looks better than ever. Don't let anyone tell you different, as he is truly one of the best in the league. He was 17-for-24 with 4 TD passes on Sunday. Giving the Chargers hope is the continued good play of RB Melvin Gordon and the rise of Travis Benjamin in this offense on Sunday. Gordon was over 100 yards and scored another TD on the ground after having two in week one. Benjamin caught two TD passes on 115 yards receiving. Antonio Gates also caught a touchdown pass. Tyrell Williams has shown himself to be a useful weapon through two games and he also had a touchdown reception on 61 yards receiving.
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They may not have shown it in week one with KC staging he big comeback win, but the Chargers defense looks a lot better than the non-effectual group of recent campaigns. Against Jacksonville, they gave up very little, as the two touchdowns came long after the game was in hand in the fourth quarter. They're getting good play in the middle, with Manti Te'o, Denzel Perryman, and Melvin Ingram standing out thus far. Ingram had two sacks on Sunday and is starting to fulfill his massive potential after seeing the early part of his career sabotaged by injuries. In the secondary, Casey Heyward intercepted two passes on Sunday, while Jahleel Addae (out), Brandon Flowers, and Dwight Lowery were all over the field, Up-front, Corey Liuget, and Brandon Mebane have been effective and Joey Bosa should soon be ready to contribute. There will be some knocks and growing pains along the way, but this is a unit on the way up.
Andrew Luck and this whole Colts team has shown they can react positively to increased urgency. At 0-2, it's time for that to kick in. Rivers has been sharp and a Colts' secondary beleaguered by injuries might be in jeopardy this week. But the Colts' offense should also give the Chargers "D" a different look after they faced KC and Jacksonville to open the season. Still, the Chargers are a dangerous team and while it's tempting to take Indy, I don't see the Chargers playing the dutiful role of the dependable loser this week for whatever reason. I'm taking the road team.
Loot's Prediction to Cover the Point Spread: I'm betting on the San Diego Chargers plus 3 points. Tired of your credit card not working for sportsbook deposit? End that problem today by signing up at Bovada Sportsbook where your credit card WILL work and where you'll receive a generous 100% sign-up bonus to bet the San Diego vs. Indy game!
