Chargers….Pick em Pal”

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Here comes the NFL season, finally.

A game by game week look at what I think the Chargers will do:

Week 1-Raiders…For first time since the Martyball era, the Bolts seem to be a complete team at all 3-levels.  Don’t think the Raiders have enough defense to hold up against this Justin Herbert offense.  Know the Raiders have a bad offensive line, not enough to contain the Mack-Bosa pass rush.  Bolts WIN

Week 2..Kansas City…Terrible break in scheduling, having to go to Arrowhead four days after Raiders game.  Fatigue will be an issue.  The Chiefs will be different in the post-Tyreek Hill era, but they seemed to have uncovered more speed at wide out and at running back.  Interesting matchup Andy Reid-vs-Brandon Staley…Bolts LOSE

Week 3..Jaguars…Poor Trevor Lawrence, just not enough players around him.  Could be ugly game in LA for Jacksonville.  Another ugly season for Jags.  Bolts WIN

Week 4..Houston…Easy games on schedule continue.  Texans awful roster with pedestrian quarterback.  Just think a few years ago this team had Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, David Johnson, JJ Watt, great linebacking.  Bolts WIN

Week 5..Cleveland..Could have been a marquee game on the schedule, but Browns will not be same team without Deshaun Watson.  Will be good test for Chargers defense against a heavy dose of RBs-Nick Chubb-Kareem Hunt.  Good test for Chargers OL against the Myles Garrett-Jadavenon Clowney pass rush.  Bolts WIN

Week 6..Denver..Great challenge for most expect Russell Wilson to change everything on the Broncos offense, and Denver has good young athletes on defense.  Could be tougher game than any expects….Likely shootout.  Bolts LOSE.

Week 7..Seattle…This will be a walkover.  Seahawks organization has done a poor job of drafting talent and signing free agents.  This is total rebuild year.  Blowout game coming.  Bolts WIN

Week 9..Atlanta..Coming off a bye week, it’s like they get another bye facing the lowly Falcons.  By this time rookie QB-Desmond Ridder will be the starter in Atlanta.  Bolts WIN

Week 10..San Francisco..This shapes up as a matchup of tough guys vs the beach boys.  San Francisco is just a physically violent team looking for a street fight.  On paper the Chargers have more talent, but Niners may have more toughness..Picking an upset.  Bolts LOSE

Week 11..Kansas City…team has to avoid a tailspin, but even at home this will not be easy.  Think it will be wild, but it will not be a win.  Bolts LOSE

Week 12..Arizona..This part of schedule has brought this team back down to earth.  Call this flip a coin matchup of dynamic quarterbacks and play makers and pretty sharp offensive coaches.  Cardinals have to disprove the lousy finshes of last couple of years are not the norm.  But it is in the valley.  Bolts LOSE

Week 13..Raiders…late season road game will likely have depleted Las Vegas roster around Derek Carr and not much chance of holding up against the Justn Herbert-led firepower.  Bolts WIN

Week 14..Miami..in make or break season for QB-Tua Tagovailoa-who knows whether he is a game changer or a game manager for Dolphins.  Just don’t think Dolphins really know what they have at QB.  Bolts WIN

Week 15..TITANS…Who knows if RB-Derek Henry is still healthy by this time of the season, and if Ryan Tannehill bounces back from a disappointing season.  Bolts WIN

Week 16..Indianapolis…Colts on 3rd different quarterback in 3-years but Matt Ryan still really productive compared to where Rivers and Wentz were the past two years.  Hard game because Indy has playmakers on both sides of the ball. Bolts LOSE

Week 17..Rams…By this time we”ll know who has won the Fight for LA in the stands, whether Rams or Chargers games are sellouts with their own fans or the guy wearing the other colors.  Yes Chargers are good, but the Rams are champions till someone takes it away and beats them.  You do wonder if Matthew Stafford’s ailing elbow becomes a problem over a long grind of a season. Will be a fun game.  What a matchup Herbert-vs-Aaron Donald, Stafford-vs-Bosa.. or maybe Staley-vs-McVay…Bolts LOSE

Week 18..Denver…It’s always tough to play there, tougher with winter weather and the fact Russell Wilson wears Orange.  Won’t be easy-won’t be a win.  Bolts LOSE.

Will be interesting to see if the teams in AFC West cannibalize each other  week-by-week during the season.  Hell,maybe it’s a 4-way tie for first in the division.  They make the playoffs and will be as dangerous as anyone else on any given playoff day.

Final record: (9-8)

Enjoy the season.  It starts on Thursday.

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