Bolt Notes: Wrap Up; Preview; and Week 14 NFL Picks!

Alright, I had a little slip last week with a 8-8 total for my picks. That brings my overall total to 122-70. I would be more upset about the eight losses, but a few of them were upsets almost nobody picked, even the players on the winning teams! Who would have picked the Raiders over the Steelers? Most would not have picked the Dolphins to beat the Patriots, or the Cardinals to destroy the Vikings! Oh well, that was last week....time to move on to week 14!

Wrap Up: Chargers 30 @ Browns 23

The Chargers went into Cleveland as heavy favorites in week 13. They were so confident that they could walk all over the Browns that they sat some of their defensive stars (Merriman & Castillo) so they could heal up for the game against the Cowboys this week. In the long run, everything worked out just fine, but there were some tense moments that leave Chargers fans wondering if they have what it takes to beat a top notch team like the Cowboys.

The first drive of the game you could see that the Chargers were not mentally in the game. Brady Quinn marched his offense down the field and quickly put seven points on the board. Fortunately for the Chargers, Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates did take the plane ride to Cleveland. The two teamed up for several big plays and a total of 167 yards through the air. Cleveland had no match for Gates down field.

The Chargers running game was nothing to be excited about, although, future Hall of Famer, LaDainian Tomlinson did move up the ladder of all time leading rushers by passing the legendary Jim Brown. This moment was extra special being that it took place against Browns old team with him present in the stadium. Tomlinson pointed and saluted to Brown after the run that put him into 8th place all time.

In the long run, I can sum the game up fairly easily. The Chargers offense seemed to cruise all day and racked up 30 points as they usually do. The Chargers defense was caught by surprise by an improving Brady Quinn and gave up a large number to the Browns offense, 23. The Bolts leave with the win and fairly healthy for their next game against the Cowboys. However, they did learn that some of their second string guys may not be enough to beat a better team.

Preview: Chargers @ Cowboys

Now we're talking! The San Diego Chargers have been criticized all year for playing in a week division. Now, we could go into the fact that the Broncos, Chiefs, and Raiders have all beaten "great" teams this year, but that is another story. Most experts are looking to the next three games to decide if the Chargers are for real, or just talented bottom feeders.

This week, they fly into Dallas for a shootout with the Cowboys. Tony Romo and company ran up quite a number of yards last week against the reeling Giants, but still managed to lose the game. This has been quite concerning for the Cowboy faithful who know that the Cowboys have a terrible record in December and fear that this year's team has started it's annual fall from grace.

The Chargers, on the other hand, love December. Since Philip Rivers became the starting quarterback, the B0lts have never lost in December. That is a perfect 15-0! This year, that perfect record will be tested. The Bolts play the Cowboys in Dallas, the Bengals at home, and they end up on Christmas night against the Titans in Tennessee! All of this with a slim, one game lead on division rival Denver.

This game has some great story lines:

• Dallas Head Coach, Wade Phillips was formerly the defensive coordinator in San Diego



• Current Chargers Head Coach, Norv Turner was formerly the offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys and is credited for a huge part of why they won three Super Bowls during his tenure.



• Philip Rivers has been perfect in December as a starter 15-0



• Tony Romo has built a reputation of being a December choker



• Igor Olshansky, defensive lineman for the Cowboys was drafted by the Chargers and played with the Bolts up until this year.
  


• The Chargers are hanging on to a slim lead in the AFC West



• The Cowboys are currently tied with Philadelphia and have a one game lead over the Giants
  


• Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been complaining about how Phillips has been using Marion Barber



• Wade Phillips has been complaining that he has not been offered a contract extension



• LaDainian Tomlinson is playing a personal home game. He grew up in Waco and played at TCU

It all that doesn't inspire you to watch this game, just go back to sleep until February and wake up in time to watch the Super Bowl commercials.

Week 14 NFL Picks! Winners in bold caps

STEELERS @ browns (I really hate Thursdays)

SAINTS @ falcons (Atlanta has too many injuries to compete)

PACKERS @ bears (I just don't trust Cutler)

broncos @ COLTS (We'll see which Broncos team shows up)

BILLS @ chiefs (I hate this game. Should end in a tie)

bengals @ VIKINGS (Could be an upset in the making)

PANTHERS @ patriots (Pats should win at home, but they are realing and Brady is banged up)

JETS @ bucs (Jets second string QB could be improvement.)

dolphins @ JAGUARS (Could go either way)

lions @ RAVENS (Ravens too tough for Lions)

SEAHAWKS @ texans (I can't figure either of these teams out)

rams @ TITANS (Could be Rams game if Young is out, or limited)

redskins @ RAIDERS (Tough call, both teams inconsistent)
EAGLES @ giants (Eagles too good for Giants)

CARDINALS @ niners (Cards starting to click on offense)

CHARGERS 38 @ cowboys 24

Enjoy the games!