Finally Monday! Chargers at Cardinals

Aug 7, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) laughs on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

I am pretty sure so many people have not been this excited for a Monday since last time Christmas fell on one.  I have been reading happy tweets since 6am Charger time.  The only wrench in our happy day is that TMZ released the video of Ray Rice punching his then fiancee right in the face an knocking her out cold for what seems like an eternity.  I will not digress on this topic any longer except to say if he is not banned from the league I will start an anti Ray Rice campaign so aggressive that it will ensure the commissioner knows my name.

Okay, so what is on the agenda for today.  First of all, we have a Monday Night Football double header my friends.  Yes, the New York Giants will be playing the Detroit Lions starting at 4:10 Chargers time.  I will be rooting for Eli Manning to throw at least four INT’s in the hopes of breaking his record 27 from last season.  You can do it Eli, I believe in you!  ? After the Giants take a beating from the Lions our San Diego Super Chargers are on!  Finally!  At 7:20 the Bolts will be kicking off the regular season in Arizona against the Cardinals.  The game will be in University of Phoenix Stadium which is a dome and it just happens to be raining, so the dome will be a nice advantage.

Statistically, the Chargers are the more dominant team in all aspects of play on offense.  The Birds, however, could be able to capitalize on the defensive shortfalls of the Chargers.  These stats are from last season, so they really do not mean anything, right?  I think maybe.  I have heard that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior – even in football.  So, if the Chargers play as we would expect them to on offense they will be the more dominant team on offense.  If they play as they have in the past on defense they may have some issues, but as long as they can adjust where needed they will be able to stop the Cardinals when needed.  Look for Weddle to be getting the guys fired up!

As of late yesterday the Chargers still have Allen as probable, Gates at questionable and Te’o also as questionable.  Verrett is probable, but having all of these stars already complaining of injuries is not a good sign.  On the Cards side the only injuries worth mentioning belong to RB Andre Ellington, LB Alex Okafor and LB Kevin Minter.  Having both of those LB’s out would be nice.  Fitzgerald is also listed as probable, but I do not see him missing the entire game.

The Chargers and Cardinals have played 12 times in the regular season with the Bolts holding a 9-3 series edge. The Chargers have won the last three in the series, including the most recent meeting, a 41-10 win in San Diego in 2010.  This is a nice run and I believe we will keep it going!

Happy Monday!  See you at 7:10 BoltFam!