This match up with Lions is a big game for both teams. The Lions win, they secure a berth in the NFC Playoffs. If the Chargers lose, they are officially eliminated. Both team have the motivation to play well.

Unfortunately, San Diego lacks two of the 3 most important things in the NFL. They don’t have a pass rush or a good offensive line. All they have is the Quarterback. Philip Rivers is an elite QB. In the last 3 games, all wins, he has thrown for over 800 yards. He has 7 TDs and 0 INTs in that span. But there was a common factor in 2 of those games. With the exception of the Ravens, the Chargers were playing teams that cannot rush the passer or score the way that the Chargers can.

The Chargers beat the Bills, dead last in rushing the passer. And the Jaguars who are the 26th in the league in sacks.

The Lions can absolutely do that. They are 8th in the league in sacks. Cliff Avril leads the team with 11 sacks and Vanden Bosch compliments with 8 of his own. This D-Line is nasty. I know all the talk is about Ndamukong Suh, but there’s much more than that.

The Lions defensive line will not have much of a challenge today. No offensive line has had as many devastating injuries as the Chargers. It’s almost a completely different offensive line than the beginning of the season. They lack depth and talent.

 

Rushing the Passer is the most important thing in all football, and given the Lions ability to do that, they will get this win. San Diego is 1-4 ATS on the road against a team with a winning record, while Lions are 4-0-1 ATS as a home favorite. Lions clinch a playoff berth today.

Take Lions -1