Bolts Bowl Bound? A 2008 Game-By-Game Preview

With LaDaininan Tomlinson and Antonio Gates on the bench and Phillip Rivers playing on a leg that would ultimately be operated on, the San Diego Chargers watched their 2007 season come to a close on a cold January afternoon in Foxboro, MA as the eventual AFC Champion New England Patriots moved to a perfect 18-0.

The Chargers snuck up on the AFC and NFL pundits last season by dispatching a surprising Tennessee squad at Qualcomm Stadium and pounding out a win at the RCA Dome against the defending Super Bowl Champion Colts, all this after beginning the season 1-3 and 5-5.

This year, back at full strength and facing a much more forgiving schedule than last season, the Chargers seem poised to take the NFL by storm and give San Diego fans their first Lombardi Trophy.

But, will it truly be that easy?

Injuries have already started to creep up on the San Diego camp, sidelining center Nick Hardwick and potentially sidelining (as you all know by the multiple, and I mean multiple articles) Shawne Merriman.

However, the Chargers have a very deep team and considering injuries, suspensions (to Stephen Cooper) and other intangibles, I've come up with the following prediction:

Week 1 vs. Carolina - Win (1-0)

Steve Smith is out and without his No. 1 receiving threat, Jake Delhomme will have to suffer endless blitzing from the Charger defense. San Diego wins.

Week 2 at Denver - Win (2-0)

Denver continues to rebuild after a horrid 2007. Weather is usually a big help to Denver whenever San Diego or other rivals roll into town, but at worst, the Chargers can expect a day in the mid-50's in the middle of September. San Diego has the superior squad.

Week 3 vs. NY Jets - Win (3-0)

Brett Favre rolls into town having beaten the Chargers last September. However, this time he does it with the Jets, learning a new offense and protected by a less than stellar line. In prime time, LT turns it on and San Diego wins.

Week 4 at Oakland - Win (4-0)

This is a tough one. The preceding sentence was not a typo. Oakland hasn't beaten San Diego since 2003 and with a revamped, young offense they'll be looking to hand San Diego their first loss. The Chargers, struggling with their middle linebackers, will cede ground but come out on top at the end.

Week 5 at Miami - Win (5-0)

Though not the worst team in football this season (right, Atlanta?) Miami is in full rebuilding mode. Their only advantage, knowledge of the San Diego offense went out the window when they fired Cam Cameron, SD's old offensive coordinator.

Week 6 vs New England - Loss (5-1)

Surely after two cross-country flights in the last two weeks and not-so-easy opponents, the Chargers will be tired, hurt and tired some more. New England has had San Diego's number these past few seasons, and this one will be close, but I see NE prevailing.

Week 7 at Buffalo - Win (6-1)

Buffalo will also prove to be difficult for San Diego, but coming off a tough loss an ego boost will be necessary in order to take on the rest of the season. A showdown of stellar backs awaits in this contest, but San Diego's defense will be the real star, hounding Trent Edwards and stifling Lynch.

Week 8 at New Orleans (in London, UK) - Win (7-1)

The Chargers wrap up the first half of the season by trouncing New Orleans in front of a sell-out crowd in London. Trick or treat, New Orleans! LaDainian Tomlinson turns what will probably be a wet, muddy pitch into the perfect field for his slippery style of running.

Week 10 vs Kansas City - Win (8-1)

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