The Los Angeles Chargers are just 3-5 on the season but they seem to be in their games until the very end each week. Their five losses are all by seven points or less. That explains why they\u2019re merely a three-point home dog even though they have a losing record while the Green Bay Packers are 7-1. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Will we see another Chargers\u2019 game go down to the wire or will Green Bay win and cover comfortably? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Packers have covered the spread in three of their last four games, mostly impart to a defense that is dramatically improved from last year. Green Bay used to hemorrhage points with a leaky secondary which put quarterback Aaron Rodgers in negative positions, but now the Packers are clamping down on defense and making every important play when a game is hanging in the balance. As a unit, they\u2019re allowing just 20.4 points per game, which is 11th in the NFL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This week, the formula should be quite simple. The Chargers have a slew of injuries \u2013 as per usual \u2013 and they have a feeble offensive line. The Chargers are also one of the league\u2019s worst rushing teams with just 69.5 rushing yards per game (28th in the NFL). If the Packers cut off the run and pressure Philip Rivers, this shouldn\u2019t be much of a sweat for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Green Bay has to be careful as this is their second straight road game and this one is on the West Coast. After a big win in primetime over the Kansas City Chiefs, they might be a bit sleepy here. As long as they\u2019re not flat, this will be a Packers win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even though the Los Angeles offense has struggled, the defense has done its best. The Chargers have one of the best better defensive fronts in the NFL, which has enabled them to stay competitive in nearly every game they play. They\u2019ve allowed more than 24 points in only one game this season, giving up an average of 19.6 points per game. The Packers offense has been on a roll over the last four weeks but they were very inconsistent early on this season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key will be to cut-off the Packers ground game, which has been doing very well of late. The Chargers struggle in this realm as they\u2019ve allowed 122.8 rushing yards per game (23rd in the NFL), so if they\u2019re not better than that, they probably lose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It should be said that Green Bay has played a number of close games this season, beating the Detroit Lions by one point at home and the Kansas City Chiefs by seven in a game which was tied in the fourth quarter. Don\u2019t take it for granted that they\u2019re going to roll past the Chargers for an easy win.
\nAt the same time, this feels like a spot where the Packers might come out sluggish and find themselves in a bit of a dog fight. The quality of the defenses should point to an under game \u2013 especially if the Chargers\u2019 pass rush can bother Aaron Rodgers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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