It’s hard to believe that we are a month into the NFL season already. At this rate it’ll be the Superbowl before we know it.

Sunday, October 1, 2006

San Diego Chargers at Baltimore Ravens

Line: Chargers -2½ (Opening: Chargers -2)

Over/Under: 33½

Key Points: One of these two undefeated teams will have a blemish on their record when all is said and done, unless there is a tie.

San Diego QB Philip Rivers may be missing a passing target as WR Keenan McCardell is listed as questionable with a sore hammy.

On the other side of the field, TE Todd Heap is nursing an ankle injury and is listed as questionable, although he did play last week.

Ditto for DE Terrell Suggs, who didn’t suit up for practice on Wednesday and is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury.

QB Steve McNair has bruised ribs, although there is no clear indication of how severe the injury is.

The Chargers are road warriors, hitting paydays going 13-2 in their last 15 and are 10-3 against the number in October.

The Ravens have taken 20 out of their last 26 at home and have gone under in all three of their games thus far.

The teams that Baltimore has beaten so far are a combined 0-8.

San Diego and Baltimore are ranked 1 and 2 in the NFL for total defense.

Winneronline Opinion: Don’t expect the league’s top two defensive teams to smash the total.

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers

Line: Panthers -7 (Opening: Unchanged)

Over/Under: 41½

Key Points: Behind a legion of rabid fans, the Saints rose to the occasion and shutdown Mike Vick and the Falcons, but will they be able carry that momentum into their matchup vs. Carolina in a short week?

Carolina LB Dan Morgan continues to suffer from the after effects of a concussion and will be out again.

He may have missed the first two games of the season, but Steve Smith didn’t miss a beat in his return for Carolina catching 7 balls for 112 yards receiving.

The Saints have not only taken three out of four against the Cats, but have paid out on each contest as well.

Carolina has dropped 16 out of 23 at home when getting love from the books.

The last three times New Orleans has battled Carolina at home, they’ve gone under.

Winneronline Opinion: Although one of the early season surprises at 3-0 and fresh off an emotional MNF victory, the Saints are ripe for a letdown.

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