Desperate Chargers eager to pay back Patriots

The theme for the San Diego Chargers is this: Don't get mad, get even. They will have a triple dose of that revenge mentality going when they host New England tonight.

Last season, the Patriots took the Chargers to the woodshed in the second week of the season, while simmering through the "Spygate" scandal leading up to the game.

In the AFC Championship Game, New England narrowly won as running back LaDainian Tomlinson watched from the sideline and quarterback Philip Rivers hopped around on one good leg.

The previous season, the Chargers imploded at home in the playoffs, when the Patriots stole a victory.

Las Vegas Sports Consultants oddsmaker Mike Seba said New England, which has practiced on the West Coast this past week, was aware as a team that this would be a tough spot. The Patriots improved to 3-1 last week with a 30-21 road win over the San Francisco 49ers.

"I'm sure that was a main component for why they played so much better at San Francisco," Seba said. "First, it was redemption for the humiliating loss to the Dolphins, but they definitely put plenty of emphasis on the game with the 49ers, knowing this visit to San Diego was on deck."

San Diego opened as a 6-point favorite, but the line has dropped to 51/2 and 5 around town, which is not surprising.

"I'd anticipate that the perception will be that's a lot of points to hand the Patriots," Las Vegas Hilton sports book director Jay Kornegay said. "I think that's a number that may come down, and we will likely need the Chargers in this game."

Revenge aside, the Chargers (2-3) desperately need the win. Coming off a loss at Miami and facing tough games against Buffalo and New Orleans in the next two weeks, a lengthy losing streak is a possibility.

Last week, we focused on the NFL's unbeaten teams. Now we're looking at the bottom of the barrel.

Four winless teams are in action today, but in Las Vegas, even they have an opportunity to be winners. These teams are really bad, however. Detroit, Cincinnati, Houston and St. Louis are a combined 3-14 against the spread.

The Texans coughed up a lung last week against the Indianapolis Colts, blowing a 17-point lead in the final five minutes. That was almost unforgivable, but for the big picture, let's give them a mini-pass because Hurricane Ike wreaked havoc with their schedule.

Dysfunctional though they might be, at least the Bengals have covered their past two games against the salty duo of the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants.

The Rams and Lions have turned getting blown out into an art form. St. Louis has lost its four games by an average of 26 points, with the Lions getting pasted weekly by almost 19 points per game.

The oddsmakers do their best to make adjustments in quick fashion, but how to deal with this?

"Thus far, the bettors haven't capitalized on the misfortunate four," LVSC chief operating officer Ken White said. "In the 17 games this winless lot has played, the wagering line has moved seven times in their favor, six against, with the opening number holding true at kickoff on four occasions."

Houston, a 3-point home favorite over Miami, stands a good chance to hit the win column today.

The Bengals won't start injured quarterback Carson Palmer against the New York Jets. The Lions and Rams both are 131/2-point underdogs.

"By season's end, good and bad teams alike should be around the .500 mark against the spread," LVSC odds director Tony Sinisi said. "Last year, it was a great Patriots team torching the spread until the second half of the season.

"It seems to even out. So far, though, these weak teams make you hold your breath."

Brian Blessing, project manager for Las Vegas Sports Consultants, can be reached at bblessing@lvsc.com. Listen to the LVSC oddsmakers on "Sportsbook Radio," weekdays at 4 p.m. on Fox Sports Radio (920 AM). Visit vegassportsconnect.com for more odds information.