we are officially in the “who on Earth knows” portion

After last week http://www.thechargerslockerroom.com/authentic-michael-schofield-jersey , we are officially in the “who on Earth knows” portion of the Chargers schedule. They have looked awful; they have looked masterful. The season is basically for pride at this point, and you’d better believe that people who have jobs on the line care more about that than draft positioning.Each week, our humble friend the Degenerate Gambler puts his notions to the test with a variety of bets that, if he lucks out, ends his season on a high note. With $100 on the line each week, his mix of standard and far-flung bets leaves a week of partying or mourning in their wake.You might remember how our friend was feeling pretty good about his odds. After all, he opened up the record book and found that the Chargers hadn’t scored a TD over 38 yards since October 7th. The Jaguars still haven’t seen that mark since a lucky play back in October. Sounds like taking the under on TD length is a good bet, right?Two words: ‘Due’ factor.Week 14Chargers @ Jaguars Wager 1 -Total TDs - Under 4.5 :$ 25.00 [-115 ] L Wager 2 -Longest TD - Under 38.5 :$60.00 [-115 ] LWager 3 -First score - Jags FG :$15.00 [+300 ] W$ 45.00TOTAL:$40.00lossWell, nuts. Sure, he’s lucky to have one of his longest-shot bets of the season hit, but it still feels pretty rough to have been so wrong on how the Chargers would rebound after several bad offensive outings. That said, if the Chargers are going to lose our anti-hero’s bets, it’s nice to see them doing so in ruthless fashion. Not only did they score 5 TDs themselves, two scores crushed the 38.5 yard mark. Yow!For this next contest, we have the Chargers attempting to play the spoiler role for a Vikings team that has postseason goals. Their significant investment in Kirk Cousins has yet to elevate the team (they haven’t again reached the heights that Keenum delivered them to in 2017), and if Green Bay doesn’t falter, the Vikings might lose their wildcard spot to the Rams (or even the Bears!).But there’s a few weird quirks to consider in this match-up:The Chargers and Vikings have played a dozen times Womens Corey Liuget Jersey , and have alternated wins EACH time they play. This is the longest streak of that nature in NFL history...and the Vikings won the last game.The Vikings are just 1-10 in games played in the Pacific or Mountain time zones in the last decade. The Jaguars have one more loss than them for the record in that time period, but still. The norsemen don’t travel west well, it seems.The Chargers are December warriors again. They are 9-3 in December during the Lynn administration. Oh, and did you see Austin Ekeler last week? Philip Rivers? That was the highest passer rating ever recorded (154.4) on a QB’s own birthday. Bad news: This week is not Philip Rivers’ birthday.Not a birthday, but that’s not to say there can’t be celebration!Week 15Vikings @ ChargersWager 1 -Total Points - Over 50.5 (Alt line) :$ 30.00 [ +165 ] Possible win: $49.50 Wager 2 -Chargers Total - Over 21.5 :$ 25.00 [-105 ] Possible win: $23.81 Wager 3 -Longest TD - Chargers :$ 25.00 [ +110 ] Possible win: $27.50 Wager 4 -No team scores 3 consecutive :$ 20.00 [ +165 ] Possible win: $33.00TOTAL POSSIBLE WIN:+$133.81Well, if that isn’t gambling at it’s finest, I don’t know what is. After losing a good chunk of change last week, our dear friend appears to be all for long-shot bets to try and recoup his losses. 3⁄4 of his bets this week are for positive value, which is a nice way of saying that he might have to keep hiding his face by this point next week.But let’s give the Degenerate Gambler the benefit of the doubt here and dive in, shall we? It looks like he would not be surprised by another offensive week (in a good way!). The Vikings haven’t kept a team under 21.5 points in the last 5 games (except last week against Detroit. So, I guess 4/5 still ain’t bad), and the Chargers seem to be equally bad at keeping the score low. With each team eyeing a score in the mid-20s, the alternate line on the ‘Over’ bet seems relatively safe for a long bet. Make no mistake—the Vikings need this game a whole lot more than the Chargers do. While all of the historical stats say that the Bolts should win the day, the Chargers could be one unlucky special teams play away from phoning it in this week.For now, the Degenerate Gambler will strap in and has full expectation of fireworks this week. Please join me in hoping that the fire and spectacle isn’t his remaining credit burning to a fiery abyss. -Jason “Money can be a Thor thubject” Michaels Thank goodness that game didn’t count towards their actual record, because as a guy who lives on the East coast, I would have hated having to stay up until 1:30am my time to watch the Chargers drop a game to the lowly Cardinals. Also it being a weekday night would have only added to my frustration.But it wasn’t. Thankfully it was a rare occasion where fans don’t have to riot and “be mad online” following a loss. Everyone Dan Feeney Jersey , together, is able take a deep breath and collaboratively discuss what went well, and what didn’t go so smoothly in the team’s first live-action contest of the year.There were more studs than duds, in all honesty. The back-up offense went about as smooth as we could have all expected while the “third-string” quarterback was almost the lone factor in the offense sputtering in the middle quarters of the game.A pair of offensive linemen played the entire game, one being former second-round pick and fan-favorite, Forrest Lamp, and Dan Feeney, who started the game at center in place of veteran Mike Pouncey who got the night off.Other notable veterans who got then night off (due to injuries or coach’s choice) were Philip Rivers, Thomas Davis, Keenan Allen, Casey Hayward, Joey Bosa, and Melvin Ingram.WinnersEaston StickOther than the mind-numbing interception that the rookie threw straight into the arms of a defender, Stick enjoyed a better night than most of the quarterbacks taken before him in this year’s NFL draft.He finished with 78 passing yards on 7-of-11 throwing and the aforementioned pick but he made up for it with this prowess on the ground. On just a pair of scrambles, Stick finished with a game-high 51 rushing yards, including a 31-yard scamper for a touchdown in which he knifed through the entire Cardinals defense.He most-assuredly outplayed Cardale Jones which should make the coach’s decision an easy one when it comes to cutting down to three quarterbacks by the start of September.Drue TranquillOne of the most exciting things to see during the slate of preseason games is a rookie making a big play for their team right from the get-go. Tranquill created a memory he will likely cherish for the rest of his life as he recorded the first interception of his professional career during the fourth quarter.Going against the Cardinal’s fourth-string quarterback, Tranquill baited the passer into pulling the trigger on a deep route towards the left sideline. The linebacker’s trickery was successful and the unsuspecting quarterback inadvertently threw the ball right into number 49’s arms for the team’s only takeaway of the game.Tranquill shined in his first professional action while getting the majority of his reps at MIKE linebacker. He joined Nick Dzubnar with the team-lead in tackles with five.Tyrod TaylorYou don’t need to have been a Chargers fan for long to understand the woes the team has withstood at the back-up quarterback position over the past few seasons. Gone is Kellen Clemons and the Geno Smith experience. The Chargers actually have a starter-quality player behind Rivers and it made the first preseason game that much more fun to watch.Taylor and the offense mixed things heavily to start the game http://www.thechargerslockerroom.com/authentic-derek-watt-jersey , coming out in a variety of offensive formations and was equally effective running or throwing the ball. The former Bills and Browns quarterback was a perfect 6-for-6 for 72 yards while adding 34 rushing yards on a pair of scrambles.The Chargers have never had to worry about Rivers getting hurt, since he hasn’t missed a game since he became the starter. However, should the worst-case scenariocome to be. I have never felt better about another QB taking the reigns of this team.LosersCardale JonesStaying on the topic of quarterbacks, I think it’s about time the curtain fell on the Cardale Jones experiment. He has been in the CHargers’ system for over three years now and looks no better now than he ever did throughout his time in Los Angeles.Jones showed a severe lack of awareness and ran himself into a sack just one play removed from threading the needle for a 25-yard gain to tight end Andrew Vollert.When weighing which players will return the highest R.O.I, Anthony will recognize quickly that the team has spent a roster spot on Jones for the last three years with almost zero returns to show for it. Expect Jones to be out the door the second cuts are able to be made.Geremy Davis and Artavis ScottBoth David and Scott were the team’s top wideouts during last year’s preseason. Each receiver took turns leading the team in receptions or yards throughout the month of August and many expected the two to do the same with the same amount of opportunities headed there way.To all of our dismay, Davis found himself leaving Thursday night without a catch while Scott managed just a single reception for three yards. But to be fair, no one but Austin Ekeler caught more than two passes, with newly-signed receiver Malachi Dupre leading the team with 32 yards receiving on the night.Overall, the running backs and tight ends dominated the target-share in the team’s first preseason exhibition and the rest of the wide receivers will look to bounce back in their next contest against the New Orleans Saints.In The MiddleAustin EkelerJust by glancing at the stat sheet, one would immediately assume that Ekeler absolutely crushed it with his limited amount of playing time against the Cardinals. He averaged eight yards per carry, taking five totes for 40 yards, and turned a trio of catches into another 29 yards.He probably would have had a touchdown on the evening, as well, had he not allowed Arizona linebacker Jordan Hicks rip the ball out on the two-yard line.Either way, Ekeler probably should have been one of my “winners” from last night’s game, but seeing him continue to struggle with ball security so close to the goal-line is still extremely worrisome.