NFL Betting Preview
San Diego Chargers (1-0 this exhibition season) +3, o/u 34 ½ at Chicago Bears (0-1), 8 p.m. Eastern Friday, CBS
The Chicago Bears hope for a little better effort and results when they host the San Diego Chargers in the second exhibition game for each team this season Friday night.
Chicago put on a rather sad performance last weekend in a 28-14 exhibition loss to the 49ers in San Francisco. The Bears offense managed just nine first downs and 29 yards rushing, while the defense gave up 397 yards to SF, including 150 on the ground.
Starting QB Rex Grossman completed just three of 11 pass attempts vs. SF, but back-up (at least for now) Brian Griese went six-of-seven for 134 yards and two TDs.
The game easily went over the posted total of 34.
San Diego began its’ exhibition schedule with a 17-3 home win over a lackluster Green Bay Packers team last Saturday, easily covering as three-point favorites. QB Philip Rivers, in his first outing as the unquestioned #1 man after SD let Drew Brees go during the off-season, looked sharp, hitting on 15 of 21 pass attempts for 169 yards and a TD.
The Charger defense held Green Bay to 44 yards rushing
San Diego and Chicago haven’t met on the field since the 2003 regular season, when the Bears beat the Chargers 20-7 in Chicago.
Many starters on both teams are expected to play at least the first half Friday night. But many will also be out of action. The Chargers will sit star RB LaDainian Tomlinson, who traditionally has seen very little pre-season action. Michael Turner and Ray Perkins will get most of the time in the SD backfield Friday night.
That pathetic rushing performance by the Bears vs. San Francisco can be blamed in large part to the absence of RBs Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson; both missed that game with injuries, and both will miss Friday’s game, too.
Rivers is backed up by Charlie Whitehurst and A.J. Feeley.
It’s expected that Griese, Grossman and Kyle Orton will all see action behind center for the Bears Friday night.
San Diego also lost RB/KR Darren Sproles for the season last week when he suffered a broken leg returning a kick vs. the Packers.
The Chargers are 6-6 straight up in exhibition games over the last three seasons.
Chicago is 5-4 SU in pre-season games under head coach Lovie Smith.
This game opened up with the Bears as three-point favorites, and a total of 35 ½. But Chicago has been bet up to 3 ½ at many sportsbooks, and the total has been bet down to 34 ½.
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