Bolt Notes: Wrap Up, Preview, and Week 9 Picks!

Wasn't last week in the NFL an interesting week? I had a decent week with my picks (9-4), but I won some games I was worried about, and lost some "sure things". For instance, I thought the ground game of the Jaguars would put them past the win-less Titans and their quarterback problems.....wrong. I was sure that the explosive Cardinals would be able to fly past the inconsistent Panthers at home.....wrong. I also thought the Brett Favre returning to Green Bay would put too much pressure on Favre and he would have a bad day.....wrong. That being said, I was right that the Saints had too much for Atlanta, the Dolphins would find a way to win against the Jets, the Ravens would bring the Broncos back to Earth, and the Chargers would beat the leaderless Raiders. So, my overall record is a decent, but not great 73-43 and I'm looking for at least 10 wins this week.

Wrap Up: Raiders @ Chargers

As expected, the Chargers took out the Raiders last Sunday. What wasn't expected by most is the apparent trouble the Raiders caused the Chargers. The game was close and the Raiders did beat the 16 1/2 point spread by half! However, if you look closer, you will see some signs that the Chargers held back a little on offense so they would not give the Giants too much to study before this week's game.

The first pass of the game was a beautiful strike from JaMarcus Russell, right between the three and the one of Chargers Antonio Cromartie. That was Cromartie's first pick of the year and gave the Chargers the ball quickly. The Chargers offense started out with a 50 yards bomb to Malcolm Floyd, down to the Raiders 6 yard line. The very next play, the Chargers went into the "wild cat" offense for the first time ever! The ball was snapped to L.T. who ran a simple "power" play and scored with ease. As easy as that was, it was not a sign of things to come from San Diego.

As the game went on, the Chargers never showed the wild cat offense again. They kept the ball on the ground when they could and threw short to mid range passes most of the game. Tomlinson showed some signs of his old self and Vincent Jackson topped 100 yards receiving again.

The game was kept close by the power running of Raiders Justin Fargas and a fumbled punt return by Darren Sproles. As close as the game was, you never felt a sense that Oakland had what it took to make it all the way back and win the game. The Chargers kept their cards close to their vests and held on to their eight point lead until the end.

Preview: Chargers @ NY Giants

This is a fascinating match-up. It appears that with few exceptions, these two teams are interchangeable. Both teams score a lot of points. Both teams have trouble scoring in the red zone. Both teams have been giving up big yards on defense. Both teams only have one win on their record this year that shows anything at all (Chargers beat Miami and the Giants beat the Cowboys). Both teams are dealing with key injuries, but starting to get some guys back. The quarterbacks of the two teams were traded for each other on draft day. Etc...

That being said, there are some differences that are worth mentioning. The Chargers coach is a mild mannered, players coach who hasn't had much success in the NFL. He takes much criticism for being soft and unable to lead men. The Giants Head Coach is known as a tyrant, but has a Super Bowl ring on his finger.

The Giants, when playing well, are a run first team that wears down the opposing defense. The Chargers air it out and use the pass to set up the run.

To me, the main problem for the Chargers isn't the New York football Giants. It is the location of the game. Norv Turner has brought the Chargers to the East coast nine times in the last few years. Their record is an appalling 1-8! Yes, the Bolts do not travel well and there is no reason to think they will this time. In fact, if I were not a self-proclaimed homer, I would have to pick the G-Men in this one.

BUT!!! I am a homer, so I have to figure out how the Chargers will pull this one out. Here is what I think needs to happen:

• Philip Rivers has to torch the young defensive backs and safeties of the Giants. They have given up a ton of yards and points in recent weeks and if the Chargers can hold off the Giants pass rush, they will be able to have big plays down the field.


• Shawne Merriman (2 sacks against Oakland) and Shaun Phillips (4 sacks in last two weeks) have to continue pressuring the quarterback. Like most QB's, Eli doesn't like getting hit. Hit him early, and he may get happy feet and throw some picks.


• Open up the offense! Use the wild cat (or "wild frog" as some are calling it), use the spread, have Tomlinson throw the ball, throw screens to Tomlinson and Sproles to neutralize the Giants pass rush. Hold nothing back!


• If the Chargers can do those things and not turn the ball over, they can pull this one out. If they fail at any of the three main aspects of the game, they will go down in flames.
  

NFL PICKS FOR WEEK 9 (winners in all caps)

redskins @ FALCONS (No contest)
cards @ BEARS (I want the Cards, but can't trust them)
RAVENS @ bengals (Ravens defense is hitting stride)
texans @ COLTS (Could be close, but can't bet against Manning)
dolphins @ PATRIOTS (Two weeks for Billy Boy to play, Miami would get lucky aGinn)
PACKERS @ bucs (See home team)
chiefs @ JAGUARS (M.J.D will run over troubled Chiefs)
lions @ SEAHAWKS (Never know with the Seahawks. Could be a surprise)
panthers @ SAINTS (Panthers play well in N.O., but I have to go with Brees)
titans @ NINERS (Stop the run and the Titans lose...Can the Niners do it?)
cowboys @ EAGLES (No sure thing, but Cowboys like home cooking)
STEELERS @ broncos (I'm trying to start a streak here. Broncos could well win, but they looked horrible against the Ravens. You have to knock out the champ!)

CHARGERS 32 @ giants 28

Good luck to your teams and enjoy the games!!!