Chargers vs. Chiefs Open Thread

Nov 24, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) runs the ball as San Diego Chargers defensive back Jahleel Addae (37) makes the tackle during the second half of the game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chargers won 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

What’s happening Bolt Beat Crew?!!!! We are getting ready to kick off week seven of the season, and the San Diego Chargers are on a 5 game winning streak! Philip Rivers is playing better than any QB in the league, and the defense.. last Sunday aside… is playing well above expectations. Most importantly, they are doing it with a lot of their starters out with injury. Players are slowly starting to creep back onto the field, but it feels like almost everyone is nursing something. However, they are winning with depth players & rookies. The emergence of Brandon Oliver, and Jason Verrett has been a thing of beauty, as they are both playing amazing football. Hopefully we can get the same production out of Attaochu, who showed that he will be a contender early in the season. He just needs to get that hammy straight.

The passing attack has been explosive, and dominant. Eddie Royal, Anotonio Gates, and Malcom Floyd have all taken turns punishing defenses, while Philip Rivers continues to drop dimes on every other pass. Keenan Allen, and Ladarius Green have been relatively quiet, but you can’t keep the cork in the bottle on those two for too long.. they WILL get hot sooner, or later. Brandon Flowers has been showing that the Chiefs made a bad call by letting him walk, and he will have his first chance to get back at them this weekend. I wonder if Smith will even throw that way? Flowers has been nursing a groin injury, but I don’t think he would miss this game, even if he had to get out there on crutches!

The Chargers have been beaten up, and are in the middle of a 3 game stint, where they face divisional opponents. Furthermore, the Raiders were coming off of a bye week, and so are the Chiefs this week. Andy Reid is 13-2 coming off of the bye week, but this is a new division, and a new team. That may have been easy in the NFC East, but the West is the best, so that is old news. The last time these two teams met, the Chargers caught a break, and made their way into the playoffs, after almost dropping the game to the Chief’s backups. But, this is a new defense, and a new team. The Chargers look primed to make a deep playoff run.

The key to this game will be containing Jamaal Charles. When he is contained, there is little threat of the Chiefs winning. Also, Alex Smith can get mobile, and get first downs. We will need to make sure he stays in the pocket, and we will need to generate pressure from the outside, and up the middle. He is not much of a deep threat, so our CB’s will need to watch the quick sideline passes, and our safeties and MLB’s will need to lock down the middle. Eric Weddle will be licking his chops for an INT, and Flowers & Verrett will be looking to add to their INT totals.

Most importantly, we need more of the same from the running game. Brandon Oliver is a tough little dude, and is shifty. Another dominating performance from Antonio Gates would be very welcome. If they lock down this game, it will take the pressure off of the whole team, which will have a short week, and fly out to play in the thin air up in Denver on a Thursday Night Football.

If you haven’t joined us for an open thread before, please feel free to root for the Chargers in the comments section below. We will discuss everything football, and watch the Chargers secure win number 6. Just be respectful, and keep it above the belt.. unless a Raider troll comes in here… then, you can help us usher them back to the black hole they came from!

BOLT UP!!!!!