Bruce Marshall
Bengals at Chargers
Pick: Bengals +7
Yes, the Bengals are having some problems scoring (Carson Palmer only 4 TDP the last 6 games). But HC Marvin Lewis still has plenty of confidence in his defense, especially his secondary of CBs Leon Hall & Johnathan Joseph and safeties Chris Crocker & Chinedum Ndukwe. Their coverage skills will be greatly needed vs. the passing game of Philip Rivers, and Bolts now 16-0 SU in December since ‘06 (11-0 under Norv Turner). However, with the No. 2 seed in the AFC likely in the balance, expect the defensively-stubborn Bengals to go down swinging. Chris Henry tragedy likely to result in emotional effort from Cincy. Play Bengals