BSNblog

Sportsbook Odds: Chargers -7

The Cincinnati Bengals had an easy stretch of three straight games against the Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions. Now they are in a very tough stretch where they played the Minnesota Vikings last week and will head to the West Coast to face the San Diego Chargers this week.

The Bengals have been one of the surprise teams in the league this year and while a lot of people are quick to anoint them as elite, last week’s lost in Minnesota indicated that they have some work to do.

Another loss this week to San Diego will further hammer that point home.

Interestingly enough, the Chargers and Bengals are closer related than most people might think. The Chargers are currently the No. 2 seed in the AFC with a 10-3 record. Meanwhile, the Bengals are currently the No. 3 seed with a 9-4 record. If the Bengals can win, they will take control of the No. 2 seed, a better home field advantage and a first-round bye. If not, the Chargers will essentially clinch the seed.

The Chargers are on fire right now and it doesn’t look like anything will derail them. They have won eight straight games and they have won 15 straight games in December.

For the Bengals, this is their second consecutive road game and they will be a little tired after that first loss.

Sports Picks: Chargers

Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos

NFL Odds Odds: Broncos -12

The Oakland Raiders have come back down to Earth. A couple of weeks ago, their win in Pittsburgh made the country think – just for a split second – that they had potentially turned a corner.

Then their home loss to the Washington Redskins reminded everyone that the Raiders are still the Raiders.

In typically Oakland fashion, they only show up about once a month. They had been playing well under quarterback Bruce Gradkowski but he appears to be lost for the season, which will severely hamper any of their hopes.

The Broncos are in need of wins to stay alive in the AFC playoff race and they won’t mess around in this game. They’ll force some mistakes from turnover-prone quarterback JaMarcus Russell and get a rather easy with and cover in this contest.

Sports Betting Picks: Broncos -12