NFL Preview: Can San Diego Extend Their Winning Streak Against Chancy Colts?
One of the many games in Week 12 will feature the San Diego Chargers against the Indianapolis Colts.
Games between the Chargers and Colts are always exciting ones, seeing as the teams are very well matched.
ESPN and FOX both put the Chargers’ chance of winning at around 52% while the Colts are at about 47.7%.
The Chargers seem to be going in one direction, straight to the Super Bowl, while the Colts seem to have some issues going on with the team.
The Chargers have a history of coming back to win most of their games late in the season, and 2010 is no different.
Indianapolis’ offensive line just doesn’t seem to be as good as it used to be. Last week, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots put a lot of pressure of Colts’ QB Peyton Manning, causing him to throw three interceptions in a single game.
Shaun Phillips and Larry English are also major factors in the Chargers versus Colts game, since they are playing much better defensively for the Chargers and are also likely to put pressure on Manning. They might just be the difference between a win and
a loss for San Diego.
The Chargers just seem to be playing too well at the right time. San Diego responds very well to November and December games, with a majority of victories.
They have the number one offense in the NFL in terms of passing with an average of 306.5 passing yards per game, as well as the number one defense, allowing an average of only 183.9 passing yards per game. They are ranked 17th in terms of offensive
rushing yards, but make up for it by allowing the fourth lowest average rushing yards per game in the NFL with 86.8 yards allowed.
On the other hand, this may be a great passing game. The Chargers are number one in passing yards, but the Colts are not far behind. They are number two in passing yards with an average of 299.6 yards thrown in a game. However, their rushing yards, allowed
passing yards, and allowed rushing yards are all significantly worse than the Chargers, ranking at number 28 with 88.5 rushing yards, number eight in allowing 207.7 passing yards from their opponents, as well as 30th, by allowing an average of 136.7
rushing yards per game.
The Chargers seem to have an even better chance, seeing as there are rumors from well-placed sources that Vincent Jackson is active now, back from a suspension for a DUI charge.
Jackson will also play an important role in the game against the Colts.
"The biggest thing is he makes big plays and he's experienced," Coach Norv Turner said about Jackson. “Vincent's a guy who's produced over the last three years at an awfully high level… Our production is better than it's ever been in terms of yards.”
San Diego and Indianapolis allow about the same average points per game, at 21.1 and 21.6 points, respectively. Their average points scored per game is also similar, with San Diego outscoring Indianapolis by about .6 points at 27.4.
ESPN’s AccuScore predictions states that the Chargers and Colts will have around 24 points per game, implying that the game may very well go into overtime.
Since 2001, the Chargers and Colts have played six games against each other. The Chargers lead in number of wins with four, while losing two.
San Diego seems to be on a roll, winning their last three games, while Indianapolis has won only one of their last three games. Even the win shouldn’t really count, since it was against the bungling Bengals, who have major problems with their team, resulting
in their current 2-7 record.
FOX’s WhatIfSports predicts that the Chargers will win, 28-17, but fans beg to differ. 60% of voters put the Colts as the winning team, while only 31% chose the Chargers.
So it seems that the Colts are fan favorites, but the Chargers simply seem to be playing better football.
Only time will tell with their game on November 28.
Stay tuned!
Tags: