November 26, 2010 – 9:48 pm
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (5-5) at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-4)

Kickoff: Sunday, 8:20 p.m. EDT, Line: Indianapolis -3, Total: 51.5

This Sunday, two NFL teams with an array of injuries meet in Indianapolis when the Colts host the San Diego Chargers in a game of the two best passing offenses in football. While this NFL matchup marks the season debut of wide receiver Vincent Jackson, San Diego has three key receivers who are all questionable to play. TE Antonio Gates will might not play due to lingering problems with his feet and wide receivers Malcom Floyd and Legedu Naanee both are hampered by hamstring injuries. Back-up TE Randy McMichael’s might also not play because of his hamstring injury, and both running back Ryan Mathews (ankle) and wide receiver Patrick Crayton (wrist) will not suit up. On the Colts side, running back Joseph Addai is doubtful (neck/shoulder), running back Mike Hart is questionable (ankle) and both WR Austin Collie (concussion) and TE Dallas Clark (wrist, IR) will miss this NFL game.

Philip Rivers has dealt with these injuries all throughout 2010, and has still thrown for 3,177 yards and 23 touchdowns in 10 games. Gates, Floyd and Crayton all have more than 500 receiving yards this season, combining for 14 touchdowns. Jackson’s return will certainly help fill some of these injury holes. Jackson has reportedly looked great in three weeks of practice and will play the majority of snaps on Sunday. Rivers and Jackson connected 127 times for 2,265 yards and 16 touchdowns in the previous two seasons. San Diego continues its stellar play on defense, leading the NFL in total defense (271 YPG) and passing defense (184 YPG), while ranking fourth in rushing defense (87 YPG). This defense will certainly be tested by Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.

YouWager.com bettors know that Manning has led his team to 300 passing YPG with only seven interceptions on the year, although three of those picks were thrown in last week’s loss at New England. Manning has only been sacked 12 times which ties his brother Eli’s Giants for fewest sacks allowed in the NFL. Addai is likely to miss his fifth straight game, and the Colts have averaged a mere 79 rushing YPG during Addai’s absence.

Lucas Oil Stadium has been a tough place for visitors to play. Excluding Week 16 of the 2009 NFL season, when they laid down against the Jets, the Colts have won 19 in a row SU at home, and are 7-2 ATS in their past nine home games. The Chargers have won four of five meetings SU and five of six ATS, and in 2007 they picked Peyton Manning off six times.

Online sports betting experts think underdog San Diego to will cover the NFL point spread and win:

Norv Turner is 15-1 ATS (+13.9 Units) vs. good passing teams with a completion pct. of 61% or better in the second half of the season as the coach of SAN DIEGO. The average score was SAN DIEGO 28.2, OPPONENT 15.8 – (Rating = 6*).

The last five meetings between these two high-powered teams have been surprisingly tame, with the total between 40 and 52 points each time, and neither team topping 28. YouWager.com bettors are advised to take the Under:

Play Under – Any team where the total is greater than or equal to 49.5 (INDIANAPOLIS) – with a poor passing D – allowing a comp pct of 60% or worse, after gaining 7 or more passing yards/attempt last game. (28-7 over the last 5 seasons.) (80%, +20.3 units. Rating = 3*).