BOLT ANALYSIS -WEEK 11

A blowout…a beatdown….a laugher. These words have rarely applied to this Charger team this year, especially in a game against a “good” team. The Chargers went into a game hyped up because of its division-control implications…and absolutely demolished their rivals 32-3. This is just another example of why sports, and the NFL in particular, remain the only “must see TV” on TV. The turnarounds and plot lines are just fantastic.

Lets rewind for a moment to the WEEK 6-BOLT ANALYSIS. This was after the Broncos beat us up on National TV at home. Here is what I said at the time:

First, we must give credit where it is due. The turnaround in Denver has been remarkable. We hung nearly 100 points on this team last year in two games. They lost their QB, their coach of many years, and a number of other players. Despite this turnover, and the fact they were picked by everyone to stink up the joint...at 6-0 now they are exactly what you want your team to be...tough, relentless, physical, and opportunistic. They don't ask their guys to do too much. They just do it hard and fast and well. I admire them for it.

What a difference a few weeks makes. You cannot draw this stuff up. Denver had a bye after that game…and has not won since. Four straight losses…some of them by big margins, with a team that does not in any way embody any of the adjectives I used. Yesterday, I am sure all ANALYSIS followers stood up at some point and yelled at the TV: “They are who we thought they were!”. A fraud.

Let’s start with the coaching; pulling Simms out after 4 passing attempts was horrible. True, they were trailing 13-0, but that sends the message to the team that you cannot win without a hobbling and uncomfortable Orton. Even if that is true (and if it is based on Simms’ deer-in-the-headlights approach it is) it smacks of panic. The play of the game however, was right after Orton came in…he completes three great passes to the 4 yard line, the Bolts treating him like the second coming of Joe Montana. Then, the fumble by Moreno into the end zone. The already whisper-quiet Denver fans just got popped like a balloon—a score there would have reversed that. No energy and very little emotion the rest of the way. Add to that bad luck play the following: numerous penalties, a terrible decision to kick an on-side kick, a terrible decision to go for it on 4^th and 5, and a total of 3 turnovers…and you have a disaster on your hands. But…the most telling thing to me: the Broncos gave up. On both sides of the ball they looked completely defeated. Even in our worst moments, I can safely say the Chargers have never given up like that. It was pathetic. If that was my team…it would have been tirade time. Awful.

Let’s talk about our team. Offensively, Norv was thrilled. Calling 43 rushes for 203 yards! Wow. You could just see that Phillip wanted to throw the ball, and with a coach like Evil Bill, we probably would have hung 45 points on them. But, Norval is a game manager of course, and he was happy tacking on field goals, dominating the clock to the tune of 38 minutes to 22, and letting Hester and Tolbert mop up with big run after big run. LT, probably spurred on by thoughts of baby LaNorval, ran hard. Did not have a ton of openings, but it is great to see him pumped and trying so hard. It is winning folks…it does that to you.

Defensively, the same red flags exist. I think I am done thinking that we are going to have that all out improvement. We are who we think we are. The bottom line is that we gave up 3 points…why would the ANALYSIS be critical? Well, because we still employ the bend-don’t-break style and it is frustrating at times. Our vanilla 4-rush defense cannot get pressure. But…it must be said that it is working. Our coverage is excellent downfield…Jammer and Cromartie are taking guys out, and slot guy Steve Gregory has been a revelation since switching from safety. I still live in fear of what Manning or Brady would do to this defense, but if it means wins now…who knows or cares? Our offense can score…if this defensive style can turn long drives into field goals, we can win games. Period.

So…a 5 game winning streak! Who would have thought? We now have a home game against the Chiefs next week and then to the 1-9 Cleveland Browns the following week. We have a chance to really do some good here. If Norval (and the hope promised by baby LaNorval) can keep us focused, this could be a pretty impressive streak. Roll on, boyz.

BONUS COVERAGE: The great state of Oregon is where it is at in college football. Oregon vs. Oregon State for the Rose Bowl. Awesome. The Oregon game in Arizona (44-41 in 2OT for those who missed it) was epic. The Ducks never say die…they are a very tough team to put away. Oregon State is playing the most consistent and best football in the conference. This is going to be a very fun game. Tune in 12-3 for the Civil War.