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Don’t be surprised if a boxing match breaks out between the Tennessee Titans, (10-6 SU, 8-8 ATS, 5-10 O/U) and San Diego Chargers, (11-5 SU, 11-5 ATS, 8-6 O/U) this weekend, considering the teams’ recent history.

When the teams met on Dec. 9 in a contest the Chargers won 23-17 in overtime, there were four players who were fined a combined total of $32,500 by the NFL for various infractions and several more players who were lucky to escape some sort of punishment or fine.

After handing the Titans their only loss in their last five games, Chargers all-pro linebacker Shawne Merriman accused several Titans players, most notably, former all-pro center Kevin Mawae, of taking some cheap shots during the course of the game, one of which Merriman claims left him with an injured knee.

Bad blood aside, San Diego has been on something of a roll, winning their final six regular season games and 10 of their last 12 contests to storm into the postseason.

However, the Chargers won 10 straight games going into last season’s playoffs before getting unceremoniously bounced out of the postseason by the New England Patriots in their first game.

The Titans enter this game after fighting for their playoff lives in their regular season finale last week, beating the Indianapolis Colts 16-10 to sneak in the back door after a miserable stretch of football in the middle of the regular season.

Starting quarterback Vince Young was injured against the Colts, but will undoubtedly play in this contest if he can breathe.

The Chargers led the NFL with 30 interceptions this season and finished fifth in scoring defense, allowing a miniscule 17.8 points per game but were ranked just 20th in offense, averaging 315.2 yards and 25.8 points per game despite having one of the best offensive minds in the game in head coach Norv Turner.

The Titans fielded the league’s 21st-ranked offense, averaging 311.7 yards and just 18.8 points per game. Tennessee also posted the fifth-best overall defense in the league, allowing just 291.6 yards and 18.6 points per game.

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Key Titans Trends
The Titans are 7-0 ATS in their last seven games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0.
The Titans are 4-1 ATS in their last five playoff road games.
The Titans are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games vs. a team with a winning home record.

Key Chargers Trends
The Chargers are 5-0 ATS in their last five games following a S.U. win.
The Chargers are 6-0 ATS in their last six games as a favorite.
The Chargers are 5-0 ATS in their last five games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0.

Key Totals Trends
The Under is 8-1-1 in Titans last ten games following a S.U. win.
The Under is 6-1-1 in Titans last eight games following a ATS win.
The Under is 4-0 in Chargers last four games in January.
The Under is 6-2 in Chargers last eight home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Titans are 0-4 ATS in their last four meetings.

Analysis: This pick is an absolute ‘no-brainer’. Despite the fact that they are playing at home – and learned a valuable lesson during last season’s playoff loss to the Patriots, I like the Tennessee Titans to cover the spread in this matchup while falling to the Chargers. Both teams feature excellent defenses that should keep this game close until the very end.

NFL Free Pick: Chargers 21 Titans 17

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