Chargers’ Skid Will Continue Through Jacksonville

Week 13 closes out on Monday night with the San Diego Chargers (4-7) heading to EverBank field to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8).

After a six game losing streak, the injury-devastated Chargers still cling to astronomically slim playoff hopes. QB Philip Rivers is having a statistically uncharacteristic year -- while he is sixth in the league throwing 291.9 yards per game, his 80.9 QB rating is 19th in the league and he has thrown 17 interceptions, already more than any other year. The team also sports turnover ratio of -10 which is second-worst in the league.

An injury riddled line is at least partially responsible with two left tackles and a left guard already on injured reserve. Rivers will get some help tonight with the return of WR Malcolm Floyd who has missed four games with a hip injury and the opposing starting corners are sidelined with injuries, which should open up some down field opportunities. The running game could also get a boost from a healthy Ryan Matthews going up against the Jaguar defense that has been giving up 109.1 yards per game.

The Jaguars have had a tumultuous week with the firing of nine year coach Jack Del Rio and the appointment of defensive coordinator Mel Tucker as the interim head coach. Rookie QB Blaine Gabbert is last in the league with a QB rating of 62.2 averaging 137.1 yards per game but may have some opportunities tonight coming up against the 26th ranked pass defense, which is allowing 205.3 yards per game.

The one bright spot on the Jaguar’s offense continues to be RB Maurice Jones-Drew, who is tied for first place averaging 94.5 yards per game and second with 1,040 yards total. Expect to see the Jaguars come out swinging on the ground game and try to gash the Chargers rush defense which is 26th in the league allowing 131.9 yards per game. One of the key matchups to watch is if the Jaguars cornerbacks, rookie Kevin Rutland and Ashton Youboty, playing in place of the injured starters can hold back the Chargers passing attack. If they can hold their own and the offense can control the tempo with a strong running game, the Jaguars could have a shot at taking down the skidding Chargers at home.

FOX Business has evaluated the win/loss and stock market statistics over the past 20 seasons of Monday night NFL games and come up with a Monday Night Markets (MNM) score for each team based on their record and the prior week’s market activity.

Let’s take a look at what the markets have to say:

The major indexes surged last week, with the Dow Industrials jumping 7.01% while the S&P 500 climbed 7.39%. Both indexes snapped a two-week losing streak and posted the largest weekly point games since the end of November 2008. The markets we pushed higher as the unemployment rate fell to 8.6% and the Federal Reserve moved to make it easier for overseas banks to borrow dollars. Positive economic data -- including a stronger-than-expected jump in consumer confidence, housing starts, and private sector employment -- also contributed to the gains.

Over the past 20 years, the Chargers have played 17 Monday night games and based on our calculations have a Monday night rank of .455 when the Dow closes the prior week up and .500 when the S&P 500 is up, giving them a MNM rank for this week of .478.

During the same 20-year period, the Jaguars have played 14 Monday night games and have a rank of .667 when the Dow is up and .625 when the S&P 500 is up giving them an MNM rank this week of .646.

Monday Night Markets picks the Jacksonville Jaguars at home.

FBN STAFF PICKS - WEEK 13

Chris Cotter (9-4)

Chargers.

Sandra Smith (10-3)

Chargers!

Robert Gray

Chargers

Both teams are trying to salvage a lost season. San Diego's talent and experience are the difference.

FOX BUSINESS NETWORK FOOTBALL INDEX