BOLT ANALYSIS: WEEK 10-BYE WEEK SPECIAL EDITION, A LOOK TO THE WEST

Well followers, a welcome break from the rigors…or rigor mortis?....of the Chargers’ schedule. The BYE week came this year at a critical time. Critical for three reasons: 1) With so many injured players, it is a time of rest and recuperation, 2) a time to reflect on what has been thus far, and 3) a time to take a deep breath and look to the second half of the season.. I will keep it brief this week, we all need a break.



First, the injuries. It has been crazy. Once again, the Chargers have used more players than anyone else in the League to this point of the season. Already more than last year and we have played 9 games. The Texans game was on par only with Week 2 of last year when we had tons of starters in street clothes. Early reports are that everyone who has been out with an injury should be ready for next Monday night. The only exception is, of course, Vincent Jackson, who will be serving the final game of his silly “sentence” as handed down by AJ. But, with Gates, Floyd, Dielman, and Naanee back..the offense should be feeling pretty good about itself. On defense, having guys like English, Siler, and Gregory back should keep the D fresh at the very least. You never want to overreact to guys coming off of injury…they may be rusty…they may be less than 100%....but the bottom line is that it will help from a confidence perspective, and that is big for this team.


Second, reflection. Well, we do not need to relive each bitter and agonizing loss. The creativity with which the Boyz have lost is amazing. Let’s just say that the Chargers have not been significantly outplayed in a single game this season. In fact, I would say we have only played one game where we have been outplayed at all (St. Louis Rams game). I know, I know, you are rolling your eyes saying “Here we go again, ANALYSIS, here we go with the ‘best 4-5 team in Football’ nonsense”. And, you are right. There is no such thing….you either win or you don’t. Close does not count. Look at Zenyatta. That being said, I think the fact of the matter is that if our Special Teams just play mediocre. Not good, just average…we win the Chiefs game, the Raiders game, and the Seahawks game. If our players don’t purposefully put the ball on the ground and walk away—twice—again the Patriots, we win that game too. So, I know it does not matter now…but it just needs to be said.


We must also reflect on the incredible passing season Philip Rivers has had. MVP-style numbers using a bevy of receivers, many of which had never played with him before this year. Will it be wasted? Maybe. But at the very least you should see some crazy numbers by the end of the season from this guy. Win or lose, he will keep it fun.


Overachievers – we have had a few, though not too many. Mike Tolbert goes on this list, of course Gates does, and Rivers. I think Kevin Burnett must be mentioned here as well. Underachievers – well, we have had a bunch of those. Merriman (gone), Buster Davis (gone), Darren Sproles (a $7 million mistake), Larry English (hurt, yes, but nothing was going on before the injury), all of our Special Teamers, Kaeding. More pointedly, we have had a lot of “incompletes”. I think Ryan Mathews is one of these….Antoine Cason and Eric Weddle qualify here too. These are solid starters who have had flashes, but you just want a little more. Perhaps what we can conclude from all of this is that the Chargers have yet to play consistently at a high level. You sense it could come…but we have not seen it yet.


Finally, a look ahead. Last week and, now the BYE week, have been very useful to the Boyz. First the Raiders obliged…by beating the Chiefs in OT. Then, yesterday, the Broncos put a whippin’ on the Chiefs too. These two losses are huge. The Chiefs, despite their shortcomings, had gotten away from us. And they were looking at a very favorable schedule. These two losses bring them back to the pack. And now, with the BYE in the rear view mirror….the Chargers at 4-5 are only one game out of the AFC West leadership (Raiders and Chiefs at 5-4). Now, this does not mean anything yet. But, the script is clear. The Chargers have 4 of the next 5 at home. This includes Monday Night Football next week and a Sunday night game against the Colts the following week. This also includes home games against ALL THREE of the Division rivals. You could not ask for a better chance to claw back in. And, they will need it. Because we will not get a wildcard. You read it here first. There are four teams way ahead of us: the Jets, the Patriots, the Ravens, and the Steelers. It would be a surprise if those 4 teams do not make the playoffs. That being said, the road for us is in the West. Do our damage in the West, beat our conference foes, and we will have a chance to be there at the end. In this strange season in the NFL, who are the teams to beat?


The Patriots?—We held them to less than 200 yards and they lost to the Browns.


The Steelers?—Got destroyed last night by the Patriots.


The Jets?—Should have lost the last two (Lions! And Browns!)


The Ravens?—Beatdown by Atlanta.


No clue. All these teams are good…but great? I don’t think so. We can’t get ahead of ourselves..we have a losing record for Pete’s sake…but we have a chance. And that is all we can ask for. GO WEST, young men. Go West.