Sportsbook odds makers had high hopes for the Sand Diego Chargers in 2008. This was a team that had one of the most talented rosters in the league and was coming off one of its best post season performances in online history. But 2009 was a bitter disappointment for the Sand Diego fans and one that created plenty of questions heading into the 2009 preseason action. Sportsbook odds are all over the place on this team as the online sportsbook preseason action fast approaches. As the 2009 season looms the Chargers return as the defending champs in the AFC West sportsbook odds. But that’s not saying too much. The Chargers captured the title last year with an 8-8 record on the last day of the online action.
That seems a strange result for team loaded with pro bowlers but the Chargers have been underperforming for years. Still, they seem to be the sportsbook favorite to repeat as champs. This is more by default than any great attribute of the Chargers. The Broncos, the only other team to finish .500 or better in the AFC West standings last season, traded away their hopes of a division title with Jay Cutler.
Phil Rivers has proven he’s one of the better QBs in the sportsbook action and with a little bit of help at the WR position he could do big things in the online betting with this team. But that’s where the rosey picture starts turning bleak. The Chargers have one of the worst defenses in the NFL sportsbook competition. Against the run this team has been awful and its secondary, despite its talent, has a propensity to give up big plays in the action when it can least afford to.
At running back, once the team’s greatest source of stability, question marks also abound. LT seems to be in decline and will see much fewer touches when the sportsbook action gets underway. His understudy, Darren Sproles, has proven more than capable when given the opportunity but his size raises many durability issues among most online sportsbook gurus. Should be interesting to see how this two-headed attack plays out and if it translates to sportsbook success or not.
The Chargers are a very flawed team as the 2009 preseason approaches. However, it’s not without potential and fortunately for the Bolts the rest of the AFC West is even more flawed.