We�re on to the Patriots. We�re on to the Patriots.

[vinabolt]

Yeah that also explains why Brady is holding the ball more and got sacks more this year. This year they try to utilize Cook and Dorsett more. Last year Hogan was the only deep target they had, and he was a first year guy. This year they have an experience Hogan and 2 more deep threats.

Brady never has been a great deep ball passer. Career wise, Rivers is better at that. Brady at his best in a game manager role and dink and dunk eating up the clock. Brady had weak arm at Michigan, one of the reason he couldn't completely win the job over Drew Hanson and later fell to 6th round. His arm wasn't that strong or accurate on the deep ball in that 2001 SB run. He just gradually strengthen his arm up over time. Now he can throw deep here and there when the situation call for, but that's still not his game, nor his preference.

A 40 years old trying to hold the ball waiting for his receivers on those deep routes, disaster waiting to happen. With Bosa & Ingram in there, I expect a heavy load of runs and dink & dunk passes, screen passes from Brady in next week showdown.

Hogan is banged up. We seem to get lucky on opponent's receivers injury recently. Almost all NYG receivers was out, Sanders, and now Hogan.

But on our side, Gordon and Allen seem not 100% in the DEN game.

[Heatmiser]

If Ingram hits Brady like he did Simian....good night Irene. That was one of the cleanest straight shots on a QB I have seen in a long time. Squared up, full speed. just decleated him
Simian is tough, I will give him that. I watched a little of the Miami game. Cutler took a good shot and he played like the little girl he is the rest of the game.

Expect the Pats to go with a lot of quick throws to prevent the rush from getting to Brady. Key is how the Bolts play first and second down. They have gotten better the last 2-3 weeks at that.

TG

[Charged4Life]

Right NOW I see the AFC like this (irrespective of won-loss record)...

1. Pittsburgh
2. New England
3. Chargers

But if we beat the Patriots we move up.

[BlazingBolt]

This win streak has been nice but I still expect the Patriots and Jaguars to beat us down.

[whookimane]

This chargers offense led by Rivers needs to wake up if they want to have any chance of beating the patriots this week. The defense has been carrying this team but going into NE you have to score to win..

[foreigner]

Tom Telesco needs to provide a better OL...

[Coachmarkos]

I fully expect the Patriots to run the ball like Woody Hayes this coming week. With our struggles against the run, and their struggles to protect Brady, I just don't see them exposing him often.

I also hope the refs assigned to the game plan on calling holding. Holy Crap, the Broncos were just grabbing and holding constantly.... I only remember 1 or 2 called.
And that's with 5 (should have been 6) sacks. (The one Bosa deflected, or hit the arm... how was that NOT holding? In front of God and everyone.)

I agree that our offense is going to have to play better, more efficient football to win in NE. But it's not like they aren't capable of doing so. I think Mike Williams could have taken that dropped pass to the house. Henry is becoming what us fans thought he was. But we've got to get the plays called in time, and get them off. And I also have to think that, even some of the times they DO get it off (with 1 second left), they are making mistakes...because the play was just changed, and then the ball is snapped.

I think Ekeler should get just about all of the Shotgun snaps. He's just a bit quicker at hitting the hole out of the shotgun. And as much as I like BO... he's the 3rd string guy, now.

[Bolt-O]

Dastardly Bill Belichick called in a favor and fogged up Gillette denying the Chargers a clear tape of last night's game. Always Be Cheating.... LOL.

[foreigner]

Wait and see guys... support with all your heart, but let's not get crazy.... lets wait and see.

[bonehead]

This chargers offense led by Rivers needs to wake up if they want to have any chance of beating the patriots this week. The defense has been carrying this team but going into NE you have to score to win..

Hey the Bolts put up 3 TD's against a pretty good D

[blueman]

Who the fuck cares about winning pretty? Just win. Seems we know how.

[Charged4Life]

fuckin win. Who cares how. I like how the defense and ST's are playing now. But if we win in a shootout that would be FINE with me!

[Guest]

I predict communications issues between the sidelines and the field due to intermittent and completely coincidental solar flares.

[vinabolt]

Belichick defense will always be a bend-but-don't-break defense. They save best plays that they caught on films for the money downs, important downs.

Their 3rd down defense and redzone defense are always good but it's their 4th down defense, midfield defense and FG-range area defense are what set them apart.

The league and even the PFF don't keep stats on those, but how many time we see teams moved the ball at will against NE to midfield, look unstoppable on 1st downs and 2nd downs, only to be stalled at midfield, or FG-range area, and then ended up failing on the 4th down or getting sack out of FG range, or having to hold and get penelized backward out of the FG range, or turnovers? I expect the same things occur in this showdown.

The thing I hate about playing NE is that even if teams won against NE, they always seem to under perform and lose next week to an inferior opponent.

A victory against NE count the same as every other game, but for pride reason, coaches and players seem to try the hardest during that week preparing, practicing, planning, coaching, and then spend the rest of their enegy on Sunday.

Players and coaches can't help but treat the battle against NE and Belichick as a measurement of how good they really are, how much they can accomplish, what is their true ability.

When defeating NE, people feel joyful, happy, satisfy, proud of their accomplishment. We just beat a dynasty in the salary cap era, we just outsmarted a mastermind, we just embarrassed that hoody dude, we are just that good!

After the big win against NE, it's hard to regain the same energy, motivation and intensity the following week. People are human, and human psychology can play trick on us. It's tough to battle against the emptiness and the letdown to get ready for next Sunday, which no longer a "big game" in their mind.

There is also a thought of disrespecting the next opponent creeping into one's mind. "We can beat NE, how hard is it to beat up on xxxx team?", "I can outcoach/outsmart Belichick, how hard is it to do that to that rookie coach?" etc.

In the NFL, we know, if one team disrespecting another team, the disrespected team will beat up the cocky team, any type of upset can happen on an NFL Sunday.

[Bolt-O]

Well, its good then that the Chargers are on a bye after NE. However, they haven't done well after byes recently, and will have to keep their game up against JAX.