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)

After a bye week, San Diego faces the only division rival that has beaten them since 2005. Herman Edwards and his young squad take on a growing juggernaut and cannot hang on to the football. Huard will get picked off by Cromartie. Or Jammer. Or Cason. Or Weddle. Or all of them.

Week 11 at Pittsburgh - Loss (8-2)

Sound the alarms! Surely, pundits across the nation will point out that San Diego's only two losses this season have been to AFC contenders. However, even the least cynical pundit will tell you that Heinz Field is a tough place to play. Roethsliberger outguns Rivers as Pittsburgh takes revenge for their last regular season meeting.

Week 12 vs Indianapolis - Win (9-2)

This time, San Diego won't need Billy Volek (hopefully) to take on Manning and the Colts, but they'll surely rely on Rivers, Gates and Tomlinson to squeak past Indy in what's sure to be a shootout against Wayne, Harrison and Addai. Pundits will note that the Chargers beat Indy... at home.

Week 13 vs Atlanta - Win (10-2)

Okay, this is the NFL, and as we all know "Any Given Sunday" is not just the title of an Oliver Stone movie, but there should be no question about the way this one is going to go.

Week 14 vs Oakland - Win (11-2)

San Diego wraps up its home stand by beating up on Oakland as "revenge" for making the first matchup a close one. LaDainian Tomlinson loves playing against the Raiders, and he'll light up the Silver & Black for multiple scores.

Week 15 at Kansas City - Win (12-2)

Kansas City in the snow. San Diego will be hoping Al Gore was right and that global warming keeps the Chargers out of a whitewashed field on gameday. This won't happen, but the Bolts will have enough for a win.

Week 16 at Tampa Bay - Loss (12-3)

The Chargers will be en route to the playoffs and a first-round bye at this point, whereas Tampa will be fighting for a spot in the NFC playoffs. In a matchup of "Who Wants it More?", the Bucs and Jon Gruden will give the Chargers their third loss of the season.

Week 17 vs Denver - Win (13-3)

San Diego's bench gets a chance to shine in the second half of this game as the Chargers cruise into the playoffs just one game off the franchise record for wins in a season. Mike Shanahan is already planning the 2009 season and Jay Cutler and Co. will get blown out.

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AFC Divisional Playoff Game vs. Jacksonville - Win

Jacksonville will be a major force this season, but San Diego learned from their loss at Florida in the 2007 season. This time, at home - San Diego pulls out all the stops on offense as the Jags can't catch up.

AFC Championship Game vs. Indianapolis - Win

Eric, surely you are mistaken! The Patriots will make this one a rematch for the ages. Uh, no. New England's defense is too old, too rundown and too prone to injury. Tom Brady's already vacationing with Gisele Bundchen somewhere in Brazil and the Chargers are taking care of Manning and the Colts for their second trip to the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl XLIII vs. Dallas - Win

A dream matchup. San Diego's old defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips makes the producers of HBO's "Hard Knocks" series look like geniuses as he cruises through a weak NFC field towards the Super Bowl. During the bye week, Tony Romo answers every question with a flip remark and T.O. is practicing TD celebration moves. The Chargers quietly prepare and ironically for Wade Phillips, rely on their not-so-secret weapon, their defense to dispatch Dallas and win the Super Bowl.

I'm certain that's the way it will go down. Unless the Chargers go 8-8 and miss the playoffs, then don't hold this against me.