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San Diego Chargers at Houston Texans 1:00 PM ET
Over 43 San Diego/Houston -101 (2 Units)
Entering the regular season, the weaknesses of these teams are their defenses. Last year, Houston finished 31st in rushing yards, passing yards and total yards while coming in 27th in points allowed. The Chargers meanwhile were 31st in points allowed and 27th in total yards. Both teams did some offseason shuffling but we don’t expect big turnarounds at all, especially this early on.
One thing that is improving is the Houston offense. Even though they finished 31st in total yards last year, they improved by over 45 ypg from 2002 and the young guys have gained valuable experience. The offense could be explosive as the threesome of quarterback David Carr, tailback Domanick Davis and receiver Andre Johnson develops. The biggest factor is that the Texans won't start a rookie on offense for the first time in the brief history. While the Chargers ranked 21st against the pass, they surrendered 36 touchdown passes. That not only led the league, nobody was even close with Cincinnati second worst in the AFC at a distant 23. The run defense, while finishing 24th, allowed more than 180 yards rushing 5 times so Davis should run with ease thus opening up the passing game even more. The Texans' offensive line struggled in 2002, as then-rookie Carr was sacked NFL record 76 times. Last season the sacks allowed dropped to 36.
Houston team officials spent the offseason finding players to upgrade a defense that was 31st against the run last season. Unfortunately, they face one of the league’s best in game 1, as they will try and stop LaDanian Tomlinson. The rushing offense was 6th in the league and Tomlinson brings in an added threat as a sure handed receiver out of the backfield, as he gained 725 yards last season. Drew Brees has been steady in four exhibition games, two of which the Chargers won. Brees, the Chargers' opening day starter the past two years, was 31-45 for 432 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions this summer. In 15 series, he directed the Chargers to five touchdowns and a field goal. And surprisingly, San Diego scored more points than any team in preseason as they put up 106 points (26.5 ppg).
Over 43 San Diego/Houston -101 (2 Units)
Entering the regular season, the weaknesses of these teams are their defenses. Last year, Houston finished 31st in rushing yards, passing yards and total yards while coming in 27th in points allowed. The Chargers meanwhile were 31st in points allowed and 27th in total yards. Both teams did some offseason shuffling but we don’t expect big turnarounds at all, especially this early on.
One thing that is improving is the Houston offense. Even though they finished 31st in total yards last year, they improved by over 45 ypg from 2002 and the young guys have gained valuable experience. The offense could be explosive as the threesome of quarterback David Carr, tailback Domanick Davis and receiver Andre Johnson develops. The biggest factor is that the Texans won't start a rookie on offense for the first time in the brief history. While the Chargers ranked 21st against the pass, they surrendered 36 touchdown passes. That not only led the league, nobody was even close with Cincinnati second worst in the AFC at a distant 23. The run defense, while finishing 24th, allowed more than 180 yards rushing 5 times so Davis should run with ease thus opening up the passing game even more. The Texans' offensive line struggled in 2002, as then-rookie Carr was sacked NFL record 76 times. Last season the sacks allowed dropped to 36.
Houston team officials spent the offseason finding players to upgrade a defense that was 31st against the run last season. Unfortunately, they face one of the league’s best in game 1, as they will try and stop LaDanian Tomlinson. The rushing offense was 6th in the league and Tomlinson brings in an added threat as a sure handed receiver out of the backfield, as he gained 725 yards last season. Drew Brees has been steady in four exhibition games, two of which the Chargers won. Brees, the Chargers' opening day starter the past two years, was 31-45 for 432 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions this summer. In 15 series, he directed the Chargers to five touchdowns and a field goal. And surprisingly, San Diego scored more points than any team in preseason as they put up 106 points (26.5 ppg).