Charged Up: Bolts Ready to Unwrap Christmas Gift of No. 2 Seed vs. Titans

In a word?

Norvelous.

Yes, that's my portmanteau of "Norv" and "marvelous." Patent pending.

The Chargers resisted a late-game surge by the Bengals and puntcuated their norvelous run through December these past few seasons with a long field-goal kick from Nate Kaeding.

Now, after Nate missed a potential game-winning kick in the 2004 playoffs against the Jets, and then missed a game-tying kick in the 2006 playoffs against the Patriots, I developed a few choice nicknames for him.

Many of them not fit to print.

I could care less about how he's become one of the most accurate kickers in the history of all-time of forever.

All I saw was the eight for 12 all-time rate in the playoffs and a couple of missed opportunities that could've gone towards a parade through downtown San Diego in early February.

Fifty-two yards. Game on the line. Playoff atmosphere. Up and good.

Shut up, Eric.

Norv Turner has his share of detractors in San Diego County and abroad. Too soft. Too much of a player's coach. Too stale with his playcalling at times.

He took over a 14-2 team and turned into an eight win squad just two years later, who, by the grace of Jay Cutler and Co. made the playoffs—barely.

His 2009 offering battled through some early injuries, but still... we were told this unit was two or three-deep at every position.

Through five weeks of the season, a mediocre 2-3. Off with his head, I said.

Nine wins in-a-row. Undefeated in December during his tenure in San Diego. This close to a first-round bye.

Shut up more, Eric.

You have to hand it to Norv's boys, his coaching staff, and... yes, his general manager.

This team is looking good.

On Christmas Day, they'll be facing another team that battled a slow start and is poised to make the post-season in the Tennessee Titans.

It's pretty obvious the Bolts and the Titans don't like each other much , and it should make for a pretty gladiatorial spectacle.

For almost four months, defensive coordinators have been scratching their heads thinking of ways how to stop RB Chris Johnson.

I'm pretty sure it can't be done.

Luckily, the Chargers best weapon against the run is on the other side of the ball.

When Philip Rivers and the offense moves the ball effectively and puts points on the board, forcing the opposition to come from behind, there comes a time when running the ball makes no sense.

Even with Chris Johnson.

Savor your turkey, unwrap your gifts, take a swig of egg nog, and then do what we all wish we could do on Christmas:

Ignore your loved ones for about three hours.

Meanwhile, around the league...

The NFL Network and Bob Papa finally whammied an undefeated team last week. Papa's indiscriminatory usage of the words "unbeaten," "perfect," and "seriously Drew, why don't you get rid of that mole on your face?" undid the Saints against Dallas on Saturday.

Which brings me to my next point.

Don't call it Thursday Night Football on NFL Network if the game isn't on Thursday.

Seriously. Is it that hard to remember for people? To me, it's much more confusing the way it is currently:

"Hey, Eric. You gonna watch Thursday Night Football?"

"I thought the game was Saturday."

"Right."

"So, it's Saturday Night Football."

"No."

"Get out."

The Raiders beat the Broncos last week. Yeah, Josh McDaniels is a genius.

The Eagles gave Michael Vick an award for courage. No joke is necessary.

In related news, Shawne Merriman and Tom Cable are up for honorary awards from the National Organization for Women.

Finally, in the words of Krusty the Klown: Have a merry Christmas, a happy Hanukah, a kwazy Kwanza, a tip-top Tet, and a solemn and respectful Ramadan.