Bolt Notes: Wrap Up, Preview, and Week 4 NFL Picks!

Well, last week went a little better for my picks. I was a decent 10-6 to move my overall record to 30-18. Not great, but not a complete embarrassment either. So, on to week 4!

Chargers vs Dolphins WRAP UP!

Miami came into San Diego last Sunday with the knowledge that they had beaten the Chargers seven straight times. It didn't matter what coast they played on, Miami had the Chargers number. They also had some other reasons to be optimistic.
- LaDainian Tomlinson would be on the side line for just the second regular season game ever, due to injury.
- Shawne Merriman was also banged up and has yet to regain his all pro form.
- Jamaal Williams was out for the year.
- The Chargers were the leagues worst defense against the run and had not shown that they could stop the wild cat offense last year.

All that being said, it did not look great for the Bolts against the Fins.

That is why they play the game!

The game started much like the Dolphins thought it would. Miami marched the ball right down the field like the Germans marched through France (until they ran into Americans). Then, for some reason, the Dolphins imploded at the goal line. They simply missed the hand off and promptly kicked the ball through the end zone for a Chargers touch back!

The first quarter ended with no score and the second didn't provide much more offense. Both teams moved the ball some, but could not break the plane as the half ended with the score 3-3.

A couple of things happened in the second half to help decide this game. First, the Chargers defense showed up and started stopping the run. Next, they slammed Chad Pennington to the ground and knocked him out of the game, and the season. Chad's replacement, Chad, was left dangling by the Dolphins coaches. It seems like Florida has lots of problems with dangling Chads. In this case, the Dolphins brain trust decided that the run was not working and they should rely on the pass. Ball game.

Chad Henne showed no ability to move the team and made several rookie mistakes. The biggest mistake was when he read a blitz by the Chargers and immediately threw to his "hot read" and decided that Chargers safety Eric Weddle was it. That turned into a "pick 6" and the game was essentially over.

The Bolts also finally scored in the red zone when Philip Rivers lumbered in from the five on third and goal in the third quarter. That was a nice play but it does not do much to help Chargers fans who are worried about their red zone offense.

PREVIEW OF CHARGERS @ STEELERS!

Okay, if there were ever a time to beat the Steelers, it would be this week. The World Champions are without two of their most important players. Troy Polamalu and running back Willie Parker are both expected to miss this game. Also, the Steelers offensive line has struggled to keep Big Ben safe while looking to throw. Actually, the Steelers problems sound a lot like the Chargers problems. Both teams have star players hurt. Both teams seem to be transitioning from running teams to passing teams. Both teams has major trouble scoring from within the red zone. This may as well be an intersquad game!

What the Chargers do have to worry about is that Pittsburgh, even without Polamalu, has been very good against the run. The Chargers, on the other hand, have struggle to stop the run and there is no reason to think that Moore, or Mendenhall will not be able to run the ball, at least in the first half.

LaDainian Tomlinson appears to be ready to return and anxious to show the Steelers that he may have made the difference in the playoffs last year. Unfortunately, he will still be behind a make shift offensive line and a poor fullbacks so holes may be hard to come by.

Another issue the Chargers have to deal with is getting another monkey off of their backs. Last week, the Dolphin seven game winning streak monkey was knocked to the ground, and this week they have a gorilla on their back when you consider that the Chargers have never beaten the Steelers in Pittsburgh during the regular season! The Bolts are 0-11 in Pittsburgh in the regular season and 2-1 during the playoffs in the Iron City. That is about as dominant as you can get during games that are on the regular schedule.

The way I see it is that the only hope the Chargers have is to air out the Steelers defense and test their back up safety. Rivers is the best deep ball passer in the league and has huge, talented receives to throw to. If his line can keep him on his feet, he should have more success through the air this week. Also, the addition of Tomlinson should force defenses to respect the run in the red zone and open things up in the air for touchdowns. Look for Gates to be open much of the day.

WEEK 4 PICKS! (winners are in all caps)

lions @ BEARS (2 wins in a row? No way)
BENGALS @ browns (I am thinking of moving to Ohio and trying out for QB)
raiders @ TEXANS (Good thing for the Texans that they are playing the lowly raiders. Perhaps the Raiders should be calling Cleveland for a new QB)
seahawks@ COLTS (No Hasselback and too much Manning)
TITANS @ jaguars (Hard hitting, but the Titans are better than their record)
bucs @ REDSKINS (bucs could be this year's lions)
BILLS @ dolphins (quarterback problems leaves only the wild cat - not enough) ravens @ PATRIOTS (Brady at home)
jets @ SAINTS (Brees at home)
COWBOYS @ broncos (start of the broncos return to reality)
rams @ NINERS (San Francisco is looking to beat up on someone after tough loss)
packers @ VIKINGS (Home team wins each time they play this year)

CHARGERS 31 @ steelers 17(Rivers goes nuts through the air and Tomlinson has good enough day to help Rivers passing game. If not now....never.)