Bolt Beat Week 14 Staff Picks: Chargers looking for four in a row

What an enjoyable season this has turned into and the potential is there for it to become much, much more enjoyable.

That is, if you’re a Los Angeles Chargers fan. Can we start to see some more of them out at StubHub Center now?

The Chargers are right in the thick of the AFC West race and host the Washington Redskins on Sunday. These teams meet just once every four seasons and have played just 10 times over the course of their team histories. Washington won the most recent game back in 2013, beating the Chargers in overtime.

Of course, this is a different time and these are different teams.

The Redskins had to make the cross-country trip to the City of Angels and with their playoff hopes all but extinguished, they’ll have to come up with a gritty performance to get up for this game and beat an amped up Chargers team.

Let’s take it to the writing staff here at Bolt Beat and get their thoughts. Each writer’s win-loss record in terms of predicting games for the season is in parentheses.

Alexander Insdorf (8-4): “Riding their second 3 game win streak of the season, the Chargers look to pick up an important win in LA against the Redskins. The Chargers have been pretty hot lately, now 6-2 in their last 8. The injury bug that bit the Chargers to an unprecedented degree last season? It’s moved on to a new host-the Redskins. The Redskins are loaded with injuries on the offensive line, the running backs, safeties, linebackers, tight ends, receivers-you name it. I think this is a fairly close game in the first half, but the Chargers end up pulling away late due to the Redskins lack of depth right now. Regardless of injuries, do not take the Redskins lightly though, they’re a decent team. WSH 17-LAC 27.”

Scott Iger (6-6): “The defense and a red-hot quarterback have put the Chargers back into contention for the division title.  Against a struggling Washington offensive line, the Bolts’ defense will look to get to Cousins quickly and force him to make tough throws. I think the Chargers’ offense stays hot and they cruise to another victory, 31 – 17.”

Tanner Wrape (2-3): “The Chargers are rolling. It feels like nothing can stop them and they have to keep that mentality against the feisty Redskins team that is coming into town. It should be a real interesting matchup but I think the Chargers defense is too much for Kirk Cousins. Bosa and Ingram combine for 4 sacks on the day and Casey Hayward seals the game with a pick. Chargers stay hot and move to 7-6 on the season. Final score: Bolts 27 Redskins 24.”

Sean Kirk (4-1): “The Chargers will host the Redskins Sunday in a game the Bolts have to win. The Redskins are flying from the east coast and are very banged up. The Chargers are the healthiest they’ve been all year. The Skins could be missing both their starting tackles and Ingram + Bosa will go to work. Rivers should be able to pick apart their average secondary. Chargers win. 27-17 Chargers.”

Kade Dohmen (5-7): “This game scares me. Chargers could be looking ahead to Chiefs. Luckily the Chargers biggest weakness (run D) is the Redskins biggest weakness (run O). Skins keep it close but Los Angeles prevails, 23-17.”

Matt Pagels (8-4): “The Chargers are red hot and on a three-game winning streak. A game against the Redskins will be their biggest test, especially since they are actually playing a decent QB in Kirk Cousins. That said, I think the defense continues to wreak havoc and Philip Rivers and Co. fix their red-zone woes. Chargers win their fourth straight.”

Travis Wakeman (9-3): “Look at all of our win-loss records getting healthy, just as the Chargers’ has. That shows that we might pick with our hearts over our heads, but which fanbase doesn’t? There’s not much thought needed here though as the Chargers and Redskins are going in opposite directions. The Redskins aren’t a bad team, but I feel there’s too many factors against them in this one. Chargers 27, Redskins 17.”