Bengals at Chargers: Picks, Spreads, Odds, and Predictions

Traditionally the Bengals have struggled on the west coast. However, this is a different team that has found success where past teams have failed. Let's take a look at what the so called experts think will happen on Sunday.

Name	Pick	Score	Blurb
Elliot Harrison - NFL.com		27 - 23	You want to know if the Bengals are for real? Then this is a game they need to win. On paper, Cincinnati is better than San Diego. The difference is quarterback play, and the fact the Bengals have to travel. You see, they've been solid at Paul Brown Stadium, winning every game they've played there this season. Marvin Lewis' club, however, is 2-4 on the road, with losses to the Bears, Browns, Dolphins and Ravens. Both of their road wins came in overtime, too. So we'll take the Chargers, who recently dropped some key road games in the waning moments but got back on track last week at Arrowhead, handing Kansas City its first home loss of the season. The Bengals will have to do a great job handling Antonio Gates and Danny Woodhead in coverage, who both have 59 catches. I think they'll struggle.
Don Banks - SI		34 - 27	Philip Rivers and the Chargers are clicking on offense and that's going to make for a long day for a Bengals defense missing both Geno Atkins and Leon Hall. Cincinnati will score its share of points, but I don't see Andy Dalton being able to keep up with Rivers.
Pete Prisco - CBS		24 - 21	The Bengals are coming off a bye atop the AFC North. San Diego had a huge victory Sunday against the Chiefs. Philip Rivers got the passing game cranked up. That's tough to do against that Cincinnati front when you have line issues. That's a mismatch for the Bengals. The Bengals do enough on offense and win up front on defense to take home a tough road victory.
Coley Harvey - ESPN		34 - 30	Cincinnati has a stiff challenge when it has to go cross-country to face the Chargers, but coming off a bye week will help. Andy Dalton and the Bengals' offense will figure out their recent woes.
Eric D. Williams - ESPN		30 - 24	San Diego will find the right matchups against Cincinnati's defense and force Andy Dalton into a couple turnovers.
Greg Cote - Miami Herald		27 - 23	Cincy coming off a bye and San-D off a big win over Kansas City tilts this one in Bengals' favor, perhaps. But visitors have cushion of two-game division lead while Bolts are scrambling in that big scrum for that No. 6 seed. Plus, Cincy is only 2-4 on road and Philip Rivers is playing really well.
Mike Florio - ProFootballTalk		30 - 21	The Bengals aren't the same team on the road as they are at home. The Chargers weren't the same team at Kansas City that they've been most of the year. Give the advantage to the home team.
Michael David Smith - ProFootballTalk		34 - 28	With Geno Atkins and Leon Hall out for the seaosn, I think the Bengals' defense is going to be a major liability down the stretch. Look for the Chargers' offense to put a lot of points on the board as San Diego keeps up its run toward the final AFC wild-card berth.

Then there are the experts that pick the winners without a score projection or a writeup. Some of those are here:

Media Guy	Pick
Marcus Allen - ESPN
Mike Golic - ESPN
Merril Hoge - ESPN
Ron Jaworski - ESPN
Chris Mortensen - ESPN
Adam Schefter - ESPN
Mark Schlereth - ESPN
Tom Jackson - ESPN
Keyshawn Johnson - ESPN
Mike Ditka - ESPN
Chris Carter - ESPN
Jason La Canfora - CBS
Josh Katzowitz - CBS
Ryan Wilson - CBS

When I ran the simulation at WhatIfSports.com, The Bengals find themselves on the right side of the score board.