San Diego vs. Oakland Free Week 5 NFL Football Pick
Welcome to the CappersPicks.com Week 5 NFL football predictions! We KNOW you will find our FREE weekly NFL football picks, tips, betting advice, strategies, NFL Football gambling articles and more to help you become the best NFL football bettor on your block!!
The 2010 NFL Football season is underway and veteran sportswriter Matt Martz will preview all of the weekly AFC West match ups throughout the season, providing some insight to help make your NFL football wagers winners.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR PREMIUM EXPERT SELECTIONS FOR ALL NFL WEEK 5 GAMES —–>
Week 5: Chargers at Raiders Matchup Handicapping Analysis
Date/Time: Sunday, October 10, 4:15 PM ET
Venue: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, CA.
Broadcast: CBS
Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens Betting Lines from betED
Money Line: San Diego (-270) Oakland (+220)
Spread: San Diego -6
Over/Under: 45
Bet Now At Bookmaker.com —>
The Chargers and Raiders met twice in 2009, the first being a Monday Night thriller as the Chargers eked out a 24-20 win over the Raiders, then followed up in Week 8 with a 24-16 victory at home.
QB Phillip Rivers emerged from the first meeting passing for 252 yards, but only managed one touchdown and threw an interception. RB Darren Sproles was the ultimate hero when he scored on a 5-yard TD run with 18 seconds to go, preserving a 12th straight victory against the Raiders.
The Chargers swept the season series for the sixth straight year with the second win as then-Charger RB LaDainian Tomlinson ran for two touchdowns, while Rivers threw for 249 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
So the question is, are the Raiders improved enough to end the streak this year?
The Chargers routed the Arizona Cardinals 41-10 in their last outing and currently sit in 2nd in the AFC West just behind the Chiefs who remain undefeated coming into Week 5. Rookie running back Ryan Mathews scored his first NFL touchdown on a 15-yard run late in the third quarter while fullback Mike Tolbert ran 16 times for his first 100-yard game in three seasons.
It was just what the team needed to finally get its ground attack functioning, as they have been 3rd in passing with 318.5 yards, and just 10th in rushing with 132.3.
Those numbers could climb higher as the Oakland defense has been soft against the run and ranks 31st overall. 
Meanwhile, the Raiders sit 4th in the AFC West with a 1-3 record, and in those three loses they have given up a whopping 93 points.
With the exception if Week 1, the Raiders have lost some real close ones including a one-point 24-23 heartbreaker in Arizona, as field goal guru Sebastian Janikowski shanked a late attempt from 32-yards out. While a loss is loss, the Raiders did come away with solid efforts from QB Bruce Gradkowski who passed for 255 yards with a touchdown and interception, and RB Darren McFadden and WR Louis Murphy cross combining for 224 yards.
Last week against the Texans, the Oakland defense was able to prevent any fourth quarter scoring, but still fell a touchdown short in a 31-24 loss at home. Gradkowski turned in another strong performance with 278 yards and two touchdowns, but the rushing game still struggled tallying up just 118 yards on 25 attempts.
Oakland will now face a San Diego D that is ranked 7th in opposition rushing yards allowed and is led by LB Antwan Applewhite with 10 tackles.
This game has all the makings of a close contest on paper.
Oakland has been decent in pass defense but they have not faced a QB as good as Rivers, who has 88 completions on 141 attempts for a total of 1328 yards. Gradkowski by comparison has a third less attempts and averages a 100 less yards per game. Oakland’s top two rushers are averaging 125 yards, whereas San Diego’s top two is contributing 133.
However, I think the Bolts will get the extra push offensively to steal this one on the road.
Matt’s Free Prediction: Chargers
NFL BETTING SEASON PROMO: BOOKMAKER.COM WANTS YOU To Pick Your Own Bonus in 2010! Grab a 25%, 50%, or 100% DEPOSIT Bonus Today! CLICK HERE NOW!!! WTF ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Matt Martz is a sports writer for the Bakersfield Californian located in Central California. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.
