Chargers' Fantasy Corner

Last week was one of my best weeks so far. Everybody except Mendenhall and Marshall lived up (or down) to expectations. With three games already in the books the decisions you make with the rest of the available options you have is magnified even more. This is who I got in the matchups this week:

DREAM MATCHUPS

Matt Ryan vs. Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay is in the top half in the league in pass defense. But I don’t believe that RB Michael Turner is going to play and that means that the Falcons will let QB Matt Ryan control the game. I expect the Falcons to balance the run and pass but Ryan should end up with a more than serviceable day. Expected Stat Line: 285 yards, 3 TDs

Justin Forsett vs. St. Louis

The Rams allow more the 230 passing yards per game. That stat seems out of place when talking about a running back but if you own Forsett then you know that he catches a lot of passes out of the backfield. That’s where the points are going to come from and the Rams started the giving season early. Expected Stat Line: 55 rushing yards, 7 receptions, 92 yards, 2 TDs

Michael Crabtree vs. Jacksonville

I don’t like Crabtree because he got his first touchdown last week; I like him because the Jaguars have given the 6th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. He is the number 1 receiver in San Francisco and is playing like a #3 wide receiver for fantasy purposes. Expected Stat Line: 6 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD

LaDanian Tomlinson vs. Kansas City

LT has gotten better through the last two games and is showing he still has something in the tank. I’m not saying he’s completely back but against the Chefs (misspelled on purpose), I saying he has a VERY good game. Expected Stat Line: 105 rushing yards, 2 TDS

NIGHTMARE MATCHUPS

Brady Quinn vs. Cincinnati

I know Quinn went off against the Lions last week and Raiders QB Bruce Gradkowski had a good game against the Bengals, but I think reality sinks in this week and the Bengals stop the Cleveland offense. The Bengals usually play down to the level of their competition, but last week it cost them a three game lead in their division and they won’t let it happen again. Expected Stat Line: 255 yards, 0 TDs, 3 INTs, 1 Fumble Lost

Beanie Wells vs. Tennessee

Wells has been flying of the waiver wire faster than electronics on Black Friday. He has delivered recently but the Titans are on fire. They are playing close to how they played last year and with CB Cortland Finnegan back in the lineup, offenses have to respect the defense a lot more. Expected Stat Line: 60 rushing yards, 0 TDs

Santonio Holmes vs. Baltimore

Holmes was being drafted as a #3 receiver in most preseason drafts. Then he put up a huge game in week one and everyone who had him thought they’d scored a bargain. But he’s been lost since then from the Pittsburgh offense and is QB Ben Roethlisberger’s 4th option after Hines Ward, Heath Miller, and Mike Wallace. Expected Stat Line: 3 catches, 45 yards

Matt Cassell vs. San Diego

The SD Defense has improved each and every week and that is bad news for Cassell. The Chargers dominated the last matchup and only allowed 1 touchdown all game. Cassell can expect more of the same from a better, hungrier San Diego Defense. Expected Stat Line: 250 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, 2 Fumbles Lost

Lou's Week 12 Pro Picks

14 of 16 correct picks last week, 93rd percentile in Yahoo Overall Pick’em on the season, Christmas come early.

Cincinnati over Cleveland
The Brownies are tied for the worst turnover ratio in the league (-11) and they’re on a ludicrous five game losing streak, having only put up more than 20 points vs. Detroit. Rising from the dead, Cinci’s lead rusher Cedric Benson is back from an injured hip, having the best year of his career. The Bengals win this one at home.

Seattle over St. Louis
Seattle’s RB Julius Jones may play, but even in a timeshare, Justin Forsett will get the chance to shine again as he did against Arizona and Minnesota the last two weeks. St. Louis’s back up QB Kyle Boller gets the start for the injured Marc Bulger and as it has been all season, the Rams will use a heavy dose Steven Jackson. Seattle’s QB Matt Hasselbeck always has good games against St. Louis and pass defense is the Rams major weakness. Seattle sweeps St. Louis this season for the 5th straight season.

NY Giants over Denver
Denver hasn’t won in over a month and the Giants put up almost 10 more points per game. Bronco's QB Kyle Orton may be back from an injured ankle, but he wasn’t impressing defenses before the sprain. Although a scare in last weeks game, Giant's RB Brandon Jacobs will play, but backup RB Bradshaw is out.

Green Bay over Detroit

Dallas over Oakland

Carolina over NY Jets

Atlanta over Tampa Bay

Miami over Buffalo

Philadelphia over Washington

Indianapolis over Houston

Jacksonville over San Francisco

Tennessee over Arizona

San Diego over Kansas City

Minnesota over Chicago

Baltimore over Pittsburgh

New Orleans over New England

Seau's Restaurant Review

This week is Thanksgiving week, and it’s the time to be thankful for all we have, including our Chargers.  So with three games on the schedule for Thursday it is time to find a place that can easily carry the games with maximum coverage for a light schedule.  Also, you definitely have to go to a place that does not have turkey on the menu.  It happens every year, you look forward to the Thanksgiving meal and two days later you think you’re going to scream if you see another turkey.  This week we’ll be looking at Seau’s The Restaurant.  Seau’s is located in the Mission Valley Shopping Center at 1640 Camino del Rio North #1376.

TV set up & Game Selection:

The restaurant has a good set up with a 360° view of TVs with a variety of different games on.  Each television is set up to a different game and is usually within view.  There are two issues that affect the set up at Seau’s and those are: the size of the restaurant and the DJ that they have.  The restaurant area is big and if you are seated on one side of it then you really can not see the scores of the other games across the room.  Also, the DJ is constantly playing music and it takes away from the sports bar feel.

Food & Prices:

As soon as you are seated at your table you are required to present a credit card in order to ensure that you meet the $15 minimum per guest.  The food is moderately priced with burgers and sandwiches running about $9-$10.  The food however is decent and their morning specials are quite a bit of food.  Overall, it is decent sports bar food.

Service:

Seau’s is well staffed and your server usually comes by pretty regularly to attend to your needs.  The major gripe that I have with Seau’s is that they will not seat you until your entire party is there and sometimes they make a fuss about where you want to sit.  They want to reserve tables for fans of certain teams, but as someone who watches all games, I look for the best seat.  If that happens to you remind them that you are the customer and they will give you the table you want.  Service is definitely an area they can improve on.

Environment: 

Seau’s was built to be a sports bar and the memorabilia on the wall and the constant focus on sports can be seen throughout the building.  The environment and excitement can be felt from the dining area all the way through the bar, to the seats outside.  Seau’s is a football sports bar and every detail has been put in to reflect that.  When you there, you know it is game day.

Overall Seau’s is a good place to watch the games.  However, Seau’s has been built up as being the best sports bar in San Diego that I have to point out the positives and negatives.  Still Seau’s is a great place to visit once in a while as long as you temper your expectations. It’s a very good sports bar, not a GREAT sports bar.

True Charger Fans Please Stand Up

Now for years there has been a misconception that Charger fans follow a bandwagon trend.  I think when the chips are down we, as fans need to stick with our team no matter what.  There is always going to be criticism about us never winning a Super Bowl, or not having a great head coach in Norv Turner. Charger fans need to exercise more patience, because this team is on the verge of something special.  I've followed our bolts for about 17 years, through the ups and downs.  I must admit it was difficult rooting for a team that went 1-15 at one point in time.  Even though the threat of the team leaving us for Los Angeles is a scary thought, it is a real possibility.  Why not enjoy this team while it is still here?  Every fan that has jumped on and off the bandwagon, we don't need you. These bandwagon fans can be as critical of the team as Simon Cowell on American Idol.  Real Charger fans need to step up and help sellout the games.  If you’re a true bolt fan there should never be any reason to experience a Television blackout on game days.  I urge you as fans to support our team, and let everyone know we are Super Bolt bound.  Tickets are still available for Sunday's game vs. Kansas City.