Cincinnati Bengals (9-4) at San Diego Chargers (10-3)
Sunday December 20, 2009 4: 05 PM EST
The Line: San Diego Chargers -6 1/2
Two potential playoff teams meet at Qualcomm Stadium as the San Diego Chargers host the Cincinnati Bengals.
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If it’s possible for a team riding an eight game winning streak and leading their to division to fly under the radar, then it is happening this season with the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers got off to a slow start but they have been running at full speed ever since and are clearly one of the hottest teams in the NFL. San Diego has gotten a little bit lucky in the way their schedule has ended up a little soft but when they have been tested by the better teams both at home and on the road, they have shown up. Ladanian Tomlinson may not be what he once was at running back but he’s still better than most. His role has been slightly reduced as well making he team less predictable and probably extending his career as running backs like him tend to take a beating over the long haul. Antonio Gates seems to have rejoined the offensive game plan which has done nothing but help Phillip Rivers and his wide receivers. Defensively the Chargers are loaded with stars who when they are healthy, play like stars. San Diego had some injuries to contend with earlier this season but the Chargers haven’t had them week in and week out like a lot of other teams and they have had the time and depth to overcome most of the major ones they have suffered. On average the Chargers score nearly 28 points a game and allow in the 20 range.
Cincinnati has had a big year and for one of the few times over the past 20 years, it’s an exciting time to be a Bengal fan. It’s been a year of rebirth for this once proud franchise and a year of rebirth for many of it’s players who are either returning from injury or are just cast offs from other teams. Cincinnati is just a win or a Baltimore loss from clinching the NFC North as they swept all of their divisional games this season. Carson Palmer is seen as a star on this team but actually it’s been the running game and Cedric Benson who have made the biggest difference. Chad Och Cinco is playing well and while some don’t like his on field antics, he’s really a guy we never hear about getting into trouble off the field, a rarity in today’s NFL. 
Defensively the Bengals have been playing well and as their defense goes so does this team. Marvin Lewis was brought in as a defensive guru and we are finally seeing his work in action as he looks to finally have all of the pieces in place. The Bengals received some bad news about injured wide receiver Chris Henry this week as he was injured and is fighting for his life. We hope all works out for Chris, a guy who has really struggled off the field throughout the years.
San Diego has covered in five of their last six games and they are 4-0 against the spread when playing a team with a winnig record. Cincinnati is 4-1 against the spread in their last five as a road underdog and 6-1 against the spread when playing teams with a winning record but the Bengals haven’t covered in four straight games.
While on the surface the Bengals look to be a tough team to figure out, I think it’s really pretty simple. The Bengals aren’t very good as favorites and the bigger the favorite tey are, the worse they are against the number. On the other hand, as an underdog, the Bengals are outstanding. As for the Chargers, as is typical with them, they are rolling as the season goes on and the later it gets in the season, the more momentum this team seems to has. I like the Chargers to win but more than likely it’s going to be a late field goal in a physical game.
Mitch’s Pick: Cincinnati Bengals + 6 1/2
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