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Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers NFL Picks & Predictions

Early in the year it looked like the Colts might miss out on the postseason, but they regrouped to secure a seventh straight trip to the playoffs. It took a week 17 win over rival Denver for the Chargers to earn a playoff berth for the third straight season. Both the Colts and the Chargers come into the playoffs with plenty of momentum, winners of nine and four in a row respectively. This will be the second time these teams have met in the playoffs in as many years. The Chargers were victorious last season. This time around, the NFL odds makers are calling it a toss up. The San Diego Chargers are listed as a pick with the total set at 51.

The 12-4 Colts dropped four of their first seven games but closed out the regular season with nine straight wins. One of those was a 23-20 win over San Diego on November 23. That win was a nice little piece of revenge as the Chargers knocked the Colts out of the playoffs with a 28-24 win in last year’s divisional round. The Colts have won 12 games in a season a league-record six straight times, but they had their five-year reign as AFC South champs snapped by the Tennessee Titans, the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.

Peyton Manning added another chapter to his storied career last Sunday, extending his own league record for 4,000-yard passing seasons to nine in a 23-0 win over the Titans. The two-time league MVP left the game after the opening possession, finishing 7-of-7 for 95 yards with one touchdown. Manning has completed 72.1 percent of his passes with 17 touchdowns and only three picks during Indy’s nine-game winning streak.

The NFL betting odds suggest that we should be in for another close game in this matchup. The last three matchups between these teams have been decided by a combined nine points, with the Chargers winning twice. Manning went 32-for-44 for 255 yards and two TDs, while Rivers was 24-for-31 for 288 yards and two scores in November’s meeting, which Indianapolis won on an Adam Vinatieri 51-yard field goal as time expired. If you like Indy to even the score, bet the Colts at Bookmaker.

The Chargers lost eight of their first 12 games but surged in the final month of the season and got some help from a struggling Broncos team. The Chargers are now 14-0 in December since 2006 and have advanced to the playoffs for the third year in a row. The Chargers enter the record books as the only NFL team to reach postseason play after starting 4-8. Last Sunday, the Chargers crushed the Broncos 52-21 to complete its comeback and to win the AFC West for the third straight season. The Chargers also become the first team since 1985 to win a division with a .500 record.

The Chargers will benefit from a good game from running back LaDainian Tomlinson who has struggled with injuries throughout the year. Tomlinson carried 14 times for 96 yards and a season-high three touchdowns against Denver before leaving late in the third quarter with a strained groin. He finished 10th in the league with 1,110 yards and had 11 rushing touchdowns this season to give him 126 for his career, which is second only to Emmitt Smith’s 164. Tomlinson’s injuries have really put the passing ability of QB Philip Rivers on display. Rivers’ 105.5 passer rating was the best in the NFL and his 4,009 passing yards were fifth in the league. Rivers also tied Drew Brees for the most touchdown passes in the league with 34. Rivers will be up against a Colts defense which has only allowed six touchdown passes this season. While the Colts will be without Captain Gary Brackett at linebacker and could be without guard Mike Pollak and center Jamey Richard, they will have the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders in the lineup. If you think San Diego can beat the Colts in the playoffs for the second straight year, bet the Chargers at Bookmaker.

Jimmy Boyd’s NFL picks will put the hurt on your sportsbook through the Super Bowl. Make sure you’re along for the profitable ride.

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