Don't expect a dud game this Saturday
One team is in the playoffs, the other is not, but they both still have goals. For those projecting this game a disappointment might want to tune in. Both teams have something to play for.
“The game we play Saturday is going to last for six or seven months,” says Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer. The Chargers can post their second consecutive season of at least 10 wins. Couple 10 victories with the 12 of 2004 and the combined 22 wins would be the Chargers’ best two-year mark since 23 victories in 1979-80.
“10-6 sounds a lot better to me than 9-7,” says Schottenheimer.
For the Broncos, it’s “get ready for the playoffs.” With a first-round bye, this is their final game for two weeks. They want to keep sharp, particularly in pass protection. The Bolts will provide that test. They rank fifth in the league in sacks (44), led by rookie linebacker Shawne Merriman (9.0), who was named to the Pro Bowl.
With 131 yards, Tatum Bell (869) would join Mike Anderson (1,014) as the first team running-back duo since Cleveland’s Kevin Mack (1,104) and Earnest Byner (1,002) in 1985 to each post 1,000 yards.
Only Dallas (109), Pittsburgh (104) and Kansas City (144) have rushed for more than 100 yards against the Chargers’ defense. Last Saturday, Larry Johnson (131) became the first player this season to rush for more than 100 yards. It ended a string of 16 consecutive games without allowing a 100-yard rusher. Cleveland’s Lee Suggs had been the last to do it on Dec. 19, 2004.
Chargers have the NFL’s top ranked run defense and Saturday they hope to finish the season that way.
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Comments
Note to Marty: PLAY RIVERS!!!!!
kwalkersv (December 28, 2005 10:39 AM)
Go for 10-6 at this point it the best thing we have going for us. Lets go out with a win!
Todd (December 28, 2005 12:26 PM)
TO Marty: Play Rivers PERIOD. 10-6 9-7 doesnt matter were not going to the playoffs because of you anyways. so play Rivers so we can see what his got. Because i know he has a better arm than brees.
Ryan (December 29, 2005 11:49 AM)
I think this should actually be a good game. I don’t think Denver is going to just give this game away and certainly the Chargers should want some sort of revenge. This might be one of the better games this weekend even if it has little implication for both teams.
Ken Fisher (December 29, 2005 12:20 PM)
10-6 sounds better to me. I think you can win with Rivers or Brees in as QB. I appreciate the fact that Marty is letting the starters play out the season. I think it shows wisdom on his part. Let the starters get the bad taste out of their mouth. No one is giving credit to Marty for making the tough call. Shows why we are in the stands and he’s on the sideline.
Matt (December 29, 2005 12:25 PM)
I think that the Chargers should play Rivers only if they are up by 20 in the 4th Qtr.
Adam (December 29, 2005 01:12 PM)
Need the Chargers to lose or the Chiefs to win. I want to see the Chargers in Buffalo next year. Sorry, it's the easiest place to see them. Play Rivers.
Rob Griffiths (December 29, 2005 02:00 PM)
Get the win and make everyone remember the Chargers for 2006. They should be a Super Bowl favorite going into next year. Go Bolts!
Will Osgood (December 29, 2005 02:28 PM)
Winning this game by 3 scores is important. We need all 3 phases to play well. Going into the off season with double digit wins will taste a little more pleasant and maybe we'll get an extra Monday night game! If nothing else the national media will speak a little more kindly and give us our prop's. Being a Bay area Bolt fan is a lonely job but at 10-6 I'll wear my gear proud!!l
Andrew Hodgson (December 29, 2005 06:22 PM)
Marty you and the Chargers have done a good job. I'ts too bad that the Chargers did not make the playoffs, but the team played good. Continue playing all the starters, I'm sure Rivers will have his chance to show what he has in the preseason enxt season. Drew Brees is the man. GO CHARGERS>
Fernando Aguirre (December 29, 2005 08:10 PM)
I think the Chargers did extremly well this season considering the tough schedule they had. Except for the last game against the Chiefs, they were ahead in every game comming down to the last minutes. I think the future is bright for the bolts.
Larry Sollinger (December 30, 2005 04:55 AM)
GO BOLTS forget the good guy stuff and let's win. You know every other team's fans in the NFL, think any team from Southern Cal is into wine, chesse and crumpets (thanks to the L.A. Lambs). To ---- with all that. I like the present demeanor of the team. "Hit like you mean it and take names later".
Big Gabe (December 30, 2005 07:27 AM)
For all the people saying Drew Brees had a bad season...that's ridiculous! If wasn't for his leadership we wouldn't be where we have been the last two seasons. I hope he stays for many years to come.
David S. (December 30, 2005 09:13 AM)
Chargers had an excellent season this year.
10-6 does sound a lot better than 9-7. So lets go out and kick some Denver tail regardless of who the starters are!
Tony C (December 30, 2005 11:06 AM)
I would like to see or rather hear (since I live in Knoxville,TN an rarely pick up a Charger game on the TV)Marty use his starters this saturday against the Broncos. Not only would that show wisdom on his part but it would also show that he has not givin up on his players or the season after not making the playoffs. The Chargers had an exciting year and I am very grateful that I got to see part of it especially the Bolt and Colt show. Man what a game that was, my voice still cracks when I talk and now my neighbors realize that they have a Charger fan that lives next door.Go Bolts!!!
Robert Raymond (December 30, 2005 12:47 PM)
all i got to say is this. Drew is our quarterback and he fits does exactly what he is told. remember, our problem isn't the offense it's our secondary.I hope that in this draft we get heavy in the secondary cause we need it. BAD
sam g (December 30, 2005 01:32 PM)
If it wasn't for Brees throwing untimely interceptions and fumbling and having a weak arm we would be 13-3! Play Rivers!
kwalkersv (December 30, 2005 03:45 PM)
I'm not sure why some people seem to think that Rivers can do a better job at QB. Brees won the QB battle before the season began, period. The only way I would approve of seeing Rivers in the game this weekend, is in the chance of a hopeless loss, or no way of losing. Put him in then to see what we can get for him and improve our secondary. Brees is the most under rated QB in the NFL, and Rivers is simply unproven. It's Cool Brees for me! 10-6 baby, GO BOLTS!
Gene (December 30, 2005 06:18 PM)
While I would like to see the Boltz go 10-6 as oppose to 9-7, I think that it is important that we look to see what Rivers can do. I have to say that he did not impress me in the preseaon at all and we need to see if he can step in and be a quality QB. Also if the Chargers are looking to trade him they had better show what he can do in the regular season as opposed to the another preseason disappointment. Also the biggest problem for the Chargers is that they don't have a big time reciever. While McCardell is nice he is not a threat. If they had a reciever to complement LaDanian and Antonio we would be a serious threat. Also we really, really, really need some DB's with size and who know how to turn their heads.
Gregorio (December 30, 2005 07:29 PM)
acouple of good cornebacks wll change the whole nextseason--wake up-marty
sol Jacobson (December 30, 2005 08:10 PM)
Go bolts! Lets get that 10-6 record.QB? I say play brees first half, rivers second half.lets not waste all that money we spent on rivers and let him play.its inevitible that he'll be brees's replacment.give him some reps
fernando (December 30, 2005 09:22 PM)
The Chargers will beat Denver on Saturday. By the way, Brees, Weak arm? Then why was he a Pro-bowler last year? 13-3, woulda, coulda, shoulda, but it's not. Sign Brees! Trade Rivers!
Adam (December 30, 2005 09:44 PM)
Playing Rivers would be the worst thing to do. Brees is the starter and the future and his "untimely interceptions and fumbling" can be attributed to some "untimely" breakdowns in pass protection. Playing Rivers and having him play bad would greatly diminish his trade value, compared to only keeping his value if he played great. Brees played well enough to win 5 of 6 games we lost.
farmhand (December 30, 2005 11:40 PM)
we just got hit with the fluke this year thats all cause all i know is that rivers WILL be traded thats why we got feely to be brees' back-up and after that we will free up some cap room and and have two 1st round picks two yrs in a row bcuz of the trade and add some stars to the secondary then hello super bowl dynasty ya dig then on top of that vincent jackson will become an nfl elite word to ya mother oh yeah i am a sophmore playing varsity football as a reciever so look out for me also to be a collegiate star
Marcus Gibson (December 30, 2005 11:48 PM)
Marty, play all your starters. I need the chargers to cover.
Nick (December 31, 2005 01:26 AM)
Let's go out with a 2-fer! Beat the Bronco's and eliminate the Chiefs from the playoffs...SWEET! Go Bolts!
Born2Bolt (December 31, 2005 07:02 AM)
Do not play Rivers! If he gets hurt, what are we going to get for him?
The Chargers are playin' for pride, and, a chance to knock the hated Chefs out of playoff contention.
I say keep LT out, but let everyone else play, LT is too banged up. Oh yeah, try putting Quentin Jammer in at a safety spot and let him hit some people.
boltface (December 31, 2005 08:37 AM)
Play Brees against the Broncos and throw downfield to Gates. Run LT around the corners and get Merriman and Co. salivating to bring Plummer DOWN!!! Go bolts - let's end with a big WIN.
Billy Mack (December 31, 2005 09:03 AM)
brees won and lost some game but he lost when the o line caved. lineman from the draft will help. fonoti left and LT yards went down and brees was pressured.
junior (December 31, 2005 10:04 AM)
I think that you should start Brees. Rivers hasn't had a lot of playing time, but Brees is your best bet for going 10-6. Also Give Michael Turner more chances to break big runs against the Broncos Defense.
Jason (December 31, 2005 10:30 AM)
Brees, Rivers, it just didn't matter. Denver's D was just too darn strong today!
Jeff (December 31, 2005 05:30 PM)