In what could be their last season opener in San Diego, the Chargers will host the Detroit Lions on Sunday as small favorites and try to break a five-game home losing streak against the spread.
The franchise did not exercise its right to terminate the lease at Qualcomm Stadium this year, so San Diego will try to turn things around there after failing to cover the number in its last five home games to end 2014.
The Chargers inked quarterback Philip Rivers to a four-year contract extension that will keep him with the team through 2019, and he will have a new running back to help balance out the offense this year in rookie Melvin Gordon from the Wisconsin Badgers.
The Lions enjoyed a successful campaign under first-year head coach Jim Caldwell that ended with a postseason appearance and a tough loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the playoffs.
Detroit started last season by going 3-1 straight-up and ATS but covered just two of seven down the stretch before falling 24-20 at Dallas as 6-point underdogs. They are the league's best September bet since 2012, going 10-1-1 ATS.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
On the Sportsbook betting line for this matchup, the San Diego Chargers sat as -2-point favorites at shops such as Sportsbook. The total, has been pegged by the odds makers at Sportsbook at 46.5.
A 23-21 result in favor of the Chargers is the prediction by the Odds Shark handicapping pick engine. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.
Detroit Lions vs San Diego Chargers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The San Diego Chargers currently sport a record of 9-7, and have posted a corresponding betting slate of 7-9 ATS. The Detroit Lions are 11-6 and 8-9 ATS. Betting totals have seen the San Diego Chargers post a 7-9 over under record this season, while the Detroit Lions have gone 5-12 against the number. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and San Diego vs Detroit injuries news.
The Chargers - Lions odds would favor the Lions if the betting lines were set according to power ranks. San Diego is rated No. 24 in our latest OddsShark poll, while the Lions sit at No. 18.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits San Diego's No. 17-ranked offense, averaging 21.75 PPG, against a Lions defense that ranks No. 3 this week at 18 PPG. The Chargers aerial game is averaging 256.19 yards per game, more than the Lions secondary allows through the air, 232.24 YPG per game.
In comparing defenses, the Detroit Lions own the league's No. 1-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 85.11 yards per game when on the road. San Diego, on the other hand, rates No. 27 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
In Detroit's last outing, Matthew Stafford threw for 323 yards in a losing cause against the Cowboys, 24-20 at AT&T Stadium.
The Chargers suffered a Week 17 loss against Kansas City in their last game, falling 19-7 at Arrowhead Stadium.
- Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Detroit's last 16 games
- Detroit is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
- San Diego is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games
- San Diego is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home
- San Diego is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Diego's last 6 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Detroit at Minnesota, Sunday, September 20th
San Diego at Cincinnati, Sunday, September 20th
