San Diego Showdown

San Diego is one of those teams that gives me trust issues. Why? Because they start out playing really well and make you think that they have a really good shot at taking the division from your quarterback's arch rival (Peyton), then they slip up, and then they start to get good again. I mean what is that? Phillip Rivers is a good quarterback. I used to hate him for some unknown, unexplainable reason, but now I don't mind him. Earlier this season, I honestly thought he was on pace for league MVP. 

The Chargers started the season with what seemed to be a pretty solid team. They have 2 of the best pass-catchers in the game today (Allen and Gates), they had what could've become a very interesting backfield with Ryan Matthews and Woodhead, and during the offseason, they acquired one of my favorite defensive players in the league today, Brandon Flowers. But, injuries have kind of held the Chargers back this season, masking their full potential. Woodhead got hurt early on, Flowers hasn't been 100% healthy at any point during this season, and other 'minor' issues have nagged San Diego all season. 

Things to know before Sunday night's primetime matchup:

1. Phillip Rivers can be freakishly good. We're going to need a strong, consistent pass rush all night long. 
2. San Diego's receiving corps is legit. Browner and Revis will have their hands full. But I bet they can handle it. I think our secondary plays an extremely good game in San Diego. 
3. Run, run, rudolph. For some reason, I get a feeling that we'll see a lot more of Blount and Gray this week than we did last week. Which makes total sense, right? Because let's just not use our two best power-backs against one of the worst run defenses in the league. Hahahaha ugh,  Josh McDaniels' play calling makes me laugh...and "laugh" is code for punch a brick wall. 
4. Wilfork got his first interception of his career against the Chargers, in 2011! YES. Repeat, please.
5. Brady has always faired pretty well against the Chargers' defense. Hoping that continues Sunday night. With Edelman banged up, everyone needs to be incorporated into the offensive game plan...as in not just throwing to Gronk and forcing it to Jules, but getting Amendola and Wright involved more.

Semi-bold predictions:

• Revis puts on another shutdown performance and picks off Rivers at least once 
• Amendola is actually a huge factor in Sunday's game
• We sack Rivers 5 times, once resulting in a lost fumble 
• Browner doesn't record the first penalty of the game
• Brady abuses San Diego's secondary, putting on a stellar performance

That is all for now. 

As always, Go Pats!