Preview: Chicago at San Diego.

[Greenbacks]

When: 8:30 PM ET, Monday, November 9, 2015
Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

The struggling Chicago Bears will be without their best and most versatile offensive player when they visit the sliding San Diego Chargers on Monday night in a matchup of a pair of two-win teams. Dual-threat running back Matt Forte is expected to miss the contest with a knee injury sustained in last Sunday's last-second loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

"Nobody comes and rescues you," Chicago coach John Fox said when it comes to replacing key injured players. "You have to make do with what you have," San Diego knows what that feels like after leading receiver Keenan Allen was placed on season-ending injured reserve this week with a kidney injury suffered in Sunday's narrow loss at Baltimore. Allen ranked second in the league with 67 receptions for San Diego, which is attempting to halt a four-game losing streak. "I think you've got to just keep believing and keep plugging along," Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said. "As quickly as we've lost four in a row, we could win four in a row."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Chargers -4. O/U: 49

ABOUT THE BEARS (2-5): Rookie Jeremy Langford, a fourth-round draft pick out of Michigan State, rushed for 46 yards on 12 carries after Forte was hurt last week and will likely receive a heavy workload as Chicago tries to keep the ball out of the hands of Rivers. Quarterback Jay Cutler will also be without slot receiver Eddie Royal, but Alshon Jeffrey is healthy after missing four games and has 18 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns in the past two contests. The Bears allow only 214.3 passing yards per game but rank near the bottom of the league in interceptions (four) and sacks (12).

ABOUT THE CHARGERS (2-6): Rivers has thrown for more than 300 yards in five consecutive games and is on pace for a 5,500-yard season but San Diego keeps coming up short, losing its past games by a total of 18 points. Rivers has thrown for 13 touchdowns against only three interceptions over the last five contests and the Chargers are averaging a league-high 423.3 total yards, but they are 28th in the league in points allowed (28.4) - one slot above the Bears (28.9). Rookie first-round pick Melvin Gordon has been a disappointment in the ground game, surpassing 54 yards only once.

OVERTIME:

1. Rivers needs three TD passes to tie Hall of Famer Joe Montana (273) for 12th place on the all-time list.

2. Cutler is 11-4 in his last 15 games against AFC opponents.

3. Chargers TE Antonio Gates is tied with Steve Largent for 19th place with 101 career touchdown passes.


ATS Trends

Chicago

Bears are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games in Week 9. Bears are 5-2 ATS vs. a team with a losing record. Bears are 7-15 ATS in their last 22 games following a ATS loss. Bears are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games in November.

San Diego

Chargers are 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game. Chargers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Monday games. Chargers are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game. Chargers are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games in Week 9. Chargers are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 games in November. Chargers are 5-14 ATS in their last 19 games overall. Chargers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game. Chargers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game. Chargers are 3-12 ATS in their last 15 games on grass. Chargers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win. Chargers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game. Chargers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game. Chargers are 1-6 ATS vs. a team with a losing record. Chargers are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 home games. Chargers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

OU Trends

Chicago

Under is 8-1 in Bears last 9 vs. a team with a losing record. Under is 6-1 in Bears last 7 games following a S.U. loss. Under is 4-1 in Bears last 5 games overall. Under is 4-1 in Bears last 5 games following a ATS loss. Over is 8-2 in Bears last 10 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. Over is 7-2 in Bears last 9 games in Week 9. Over is 19-7 in Bears last 26 road games. Under is 5-2 in Bears last 7 games on grass.

San Diego

Over is 4-0 in Chargers last 4 vs. a team with a losing record. Under is 10-2 in Chargers last 12 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game. Over is 8-2 in Chargers last 10 games in Week 9. Over is 6-2 in Chargers last 8 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game. Over is 5-2 in Chargers last 7 games following a S.U. loss. Under is 5-2 in Chargers last 7 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game. Under is 7-3 in Chargers last 10 Monday games.

Head to Head

Favorite is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings. Home team is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.

 

[Greenbacks]

Saints CB Brandon Browner talked Monday morning about letting his emotion spill over after Sunday's game and his season-long penalty woes, among other topics. He said the biggest issue is winning, though. "We gotta find a way to win," Browner said. "I think if we had won the game, the attention wouldn't be on penalties and what happened after the game."

 

[Greenbacks]

Colts place rookie defensive lineman Henry Anderson on IR. Not surprising based off Pagano's comments about Anderson's knee injury after the game.

 

[Greenbacks]

Pass plot for Marcus Mariota in New Orleans. Red complete. Blue X incomplete. Yellow TD. Plots are air yards, where ball came down.

 

[Greenbacks]

Ravens announce DE Brent Urban has been removed from Injured Reserve-Designated For Return list. He will practice for first time since tearing his biceps in training camp

 

[Greenbacks]

On his conference call Monday morning, Patriots coach Bill Belichick was asked if he had any update on the status of RB Dion Lewis (left knee). He answered, “I don’t have any update on Dion.” Lewis was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday, with ESPN.com NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported that one positive Sunday night was that there was no swelling. At the same time, there is concern because the ACL was loose.

 

[Greenbacks]

On the same day he injured his left foot, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger passed Johnny Unitas and Joe Montana on the all-time passing yardage list. With 334 yards Sunday against Oakland, Roethlisberger is now 14th all time at 40,565 yards. Kerry Collins is next at 40,922.

 

[Greenbacks]

The Jets didn't make any dramatic changes on offense to compensate for Ryan Fitzpatrick's injured left thumb. They ran 33 of 65 snaps out of shotgun, per ESPN Stats -- a hair below their average. They ran four plays out of the pistol. They usually average two pistol plays per game.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Eagles put 'extra mustard' on Hardy hits

[/h]

Philly OL Lane Johnson, after the Eagles' win over Dallas said: "Any time I had a chance to put a little extra mustard on a block [on Greg Hardy], I tried," adding "I don't know if the stuff got to him on the news, but he kind of seemed out of it a little bit." Center Jason Kelce said: "I'm glad he didn't have a good day. It's a joke a guy like that is able to play this quickly." (via Philadelphia Daily News)

 

[Greenbacks]

With Sam Bradford playing in all 549 offensive snaps this season, Rams no longer have to give Eagles 4th-round pick as part of QB trade.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Jason Pierre-Paul's new normal

[/h]Writes Dan Graziano: "After last night's game, JPP asked teammate Markus Kuhn to help him button the sleeves on his snazzy purple shirt. Pierre-Paul went in the back for help with his tie, so when he came out for his postgame news conference, he looked just right: shades in place, sharp trim purple suit neatly pressed, diamond earring glittering."

 

[Greenbacks]

Buffalo's airport has a big billboard of Bills WR Sammy Watkins. The Dolphins saw enough of him on Sunday to the tune of eight catches for 168 yards and a touchdown. Good player when healthy.

 

[Greenbacks]

A look at the Jets' offensive snaps from yesterday (based on 65): RB -- Chris Ivory 51, Tommy Bohanon 24, Zac Stacy 14. WR -- Brandon Marshall 60, Eric Decker 45, Jeremy Kerley 29, Kenbrell Thompkins 28, Devin Smith 2. TE -- Kellen Davis 33, Jeff Cumberland 22. C Nick Mangold played only 25 snaps. Backup OT Brent Qvale played 17 snaps as a tackle-eligible ... and they still couldn't run the ball.

 

[Greenbacks]

A look at the Jets' defensive snaps (based on 66): DB -- Gilchrist 66, Revis 66, Skrine 58, Cromartie 44, Bailey 39, M. Williams 28, Walls 10, Miles 10. LB -- Harris 66, Davis 66, Pace 23, Mauldin 19, Henderson 15, Coples 8. DL -- Wilkerson 61, Richardson 56, L. Williams 39, Harrison 27, Douzable 13, Bowens 12. Mauldin and M. Williams combined for two INTs and two sacks in a combined 47 snaps. That's efficiency

 

[Greenbacks]

Dez Bryant caught his first touchdown of the season vs Eagles Sunday.

 

[Greenbacks]

On his 28th birthday, Sam Bradford told WR Jordan Matthews that he was looking for him on the next play. Bradford found him for a 41-yard touchdown and a 33-27 overtime win.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Aqib Talib suspended 1 game for eye poke

[/h]

The Broncos corner will be suspended one game for poking Colts TE Dwayne Allen in the eye during Sunday's 27-24 loss. Talib has appealed the suspension.

 

[Greenbacks]

Interim coach Mike Mularkey told Marcus Mariota not to take sacks. Team speeded up some things. Lineup change also contributed to limiting pressure by Saints, who had no sacks.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Pats RB Lewis (ACL tear) out for season

[/h]Dion Lewis has a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season, according to ESPN and the Boston Globe. Lewis finishes the season with 234 yards and two TDs on 49 carries. He was 3rd on the team with 36 receptions.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Eagles: Hicks (pectoral) out for season

[/h]LB Jordan Hicks, who recorded a pick-6 in the Eagles' 33-27 OT win over the Cowboys, is out of the season with a torn pectoral muscle. Hicks will seek a second opinion. He'll be placed on IR.