Chargers vs. Browns preview

There comes a time when a team has to step up and realize, that they might not win the next game. For the Chargers this isn't one of those times. On Sunday, December 6th the Chargers(8-3) face the worst team in the NFL the (1-10) Cleveland Browns. I suspect this will be another low scoring affair for Cleveland. The Browns are ranked 31st in two important categories: total yards per game at 230.0 and points per game 11.0. This game will be exciting for Charger fans, who enjoy watching those ridiculous costumes Browns fans love to wear. I believe that Cleveland is outmatched in every facet of this game. Offensively the Bolts are on fire scoring almost 30 points a game and giving up only 19 ppg. QB Phillip Rivers should have ample time to pick apart Cleveland's 24th ranked pass defense. Running back Ladainian Tomlinson needs 56 yards to break ex-Browns RB Jim Brown's all-time rushing record. This will be a treat for Charger fans, to see history be made. Browns fans also have the opportunity to see what a Super Bowl team really looks like. Everyone wins in this game, unless your a Browns fan. Tune in Sunday at 1:05 pm and catch all the action on CBS.

Lou's Week 13 Pro Picks

Cruised in at 12 of 16 last week and still in the hot 93rd percentile in Yahoo! leagues. Here's the picks:

Green Bay over Baltimore

Raven’s QB Joe Flacco has not been particularly strong over the past five weeks, only throwing for two touchdowns.  LB Terrell Suggs is out and SS Ed Reed will probably not play.  Conversely, the NFL’s Sack-master Aaron Rodgers, has gotten sacked less and less each game last month.  The Packers have a better ranked defense against the run and the pass than Baltimore and are boasting the best turnover ratio in the league.  If Green Bay’s defense can contain Ray Rice, their aerial attack should take care of the rest. 

New York Jets over Buffalo
Bill’s QB Ryan Fitzpatrick may be looking like a stud after stealing the job from starter Trent Edwards two weeks ago, but he is going to have a tough night against one of the roughest defenses in the league, particularly against the pass. It should be an interesting match-up between T.O. and newly named shut-down corner back Darrelle Revis, but I project Revis to reign. Revis has already amassed 18 pass deflections and 4 interceptions in just 11 games. Additionally, Buffalo’s run defense ranks last in the league, so look for Thomas Jones to rumble like he did last time for over 200 rush yards.

Chicago over St. Louis
The Ram’s QB Marc Bulger is out for the 2nd week straight and Steven Jackson is questionable due to an injured back. Jackson has scored in the last four games, but he has also had a steady decline in his yards per carry over that time. Even this season’s INT leader, Jay Cutler, should have a good game versus one of the worst teams at pressuring the quarter back and one of the worst at keeping opposing teams from scoring. Chicago wins this at home.

Cincinnati over Detroit
Philadelphia over Atlanta
Indianapolis over Tennessee
Denver over Kansas City
New England over Miami
Houston over Jacksonville
Pittsburgh over Oakland
New Orleans over Washington
San Diego over Cleveland
Dallas over New York Giants
San Francisco over Seattle
Minnesota over Arizona

The rest of the picks will be out shortly.

Chargers' Fantasy Corner

Last week was a big hit or miss weekend. I really nailed it with 5 players including Forsett and Quinn. But on the other hand I blew it on Holmes and Ryan. This week is the time to bounce back and give you the players who are going to blow up and implode this week in fantasy.

DREAM MATCHUPS

Josh Freeman vs. Carolina

Quietly Freeman has been leading his team and hooking up with his receivers. Word out of the Bucs complex is that WR Antonio Bryant and Freeman are building a strong repertoire. I expect this to help him grow and thrive against a defense that is playing some uninspired football. Expected Stat Line: 255 yards, 2 TDs

Correll Buckhalter vs. Kansas City

The Chiefs just got spanked by our Chargers and now face off against the Denver Broncos. As much as I’d like to see the Broncos stumble it looks unlikely and Buckhalter should be plenty involved. The Chiefs looked bad against the pass and a lot of little dump offs to Buckhalter will go for big runs. Expected Stat Line: 45 rushing yards, 5 receptions 65 yards, 1 TD

Chad Ochocinco vs. Detroit

The Lions are dead last against the pass and COC has already asked the coaching staff to unleash the passing game. With RB Cedric Benson coming off injury and RB Bernard Scott battling turf toe, going to the air may be the safest thing to do. Ocho will have a big day and that will get the pass attack going. Expected Stat Line: 6 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD

San Diego Defense vs. Cleveland

The Defense had a huge game last week against the Chiefs. Lately the Bolts have been handling their business and beating the bad teams soundly. With the Browns Offense being pathetic, it’s another opportunity for the Chargers to feast upon QB Brady Quinn and company. Expected Stat Line: 5 sacks, 1 Forced Fumble, 2 INTs, and 1 TD

NIGHTMARE MATCHUPS

Chad Henne vs. New England

Don’t even get it twisted but the Patriots are very, very, mad. They just got beat up on national television and they will extract revenge. And who is on the schedule? The Dolphins. I’d hate to be them on Sunday and QB Chad Henne will have to face a defense that’s going to do everything that they couldn’t do to Drew Brees. Expected Stat Line: 220 yards, 3 INTs

Steve Slaton vs. Jacksonville

All the cool kids started out this week running out to get Texans RB Chris Brown and you are stuck with Steve Slaton. The two are going to share the load and Slaton and his fumblitis will be on the bench inside the 20 yard line. The Jags stopped 49ers RB Frank Gore to less than 40 yards rushing. Most of the damage that Slaton will make will be through the air, but no TDs here. Expected Stat Line: 25 rushing yards, 5 receptions, 35 yards, 0 TDs

Chris Chambers vs. Denver

Chambers has really stepped in during Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe’s four game suspension. He has been playing 20x better than when he was a Charger. This week I don’t see QB Matt Cassell finding enough time to make all the passes that he needs to, minimizing the chances he has in finding Chambers. Expected Stat Line: 4 catches, 60 yards

Jerome Harrison vs. San Diego

The good news is that Harrison is taking over for the recently injured RB Jamal Lewis. Unfortunately, his first start comes against the San Diego Chargers. Cleveland has been playing sorry football the entire season while the Bolts are hot right now. If the Browns have any other options available to them this weekend then he will lose playing time do to his inability to pick up the blitz. Don’t expect much from Harrison this week. Expected Stat Line: 25 rushing yards, 0TDs

Sports Bar Review

It’s time for a new sports bar and this is a familiar place at a different location.  This week I’ll be reviewing Oggi’s Pizza and Brewing Company in Eastlake.  A different Oggi’s brought a different game day experience.  Oggi’s is located at 2130 Birch Road #104 across the street from the Otay Ranch Shopping Center. 

TV Set Up & Game Selection:

This Oggi’s location is smaller than the restaurant in Mission Valley and is split in two by the bar.  There is a dining area with a few TVs scattered around and a sports bar area with a 360° view of the games.  The problems start with the fact that the tables are set up so that your back is facing about 5 TVs and you have to completely turn your body around to see the game, quite uncomfortable.  Another issue is that the games are preset and they do not change the games for patrons.  If you miss out on the sports bar area then the amount of prime seating in the dining area becomes very hard to come by.

Food & Prices:

The menu looks just as unappetizing as the one in Mission Valley but the food is the same quality and price as the one in Mission Valley.  The food is delicious and won’t set you back with the price.  If you’re looking for a quick appetizer to start the morning off, then I recommend the popcorn chicken.  It’s a quick snack that will hold you over through the first quarter.

Service:

With this being a smaller establishment the service that you receive is a bit more personal.  When I go to a restaurant to judge the service I look for servers who come check on you even though you aren’t their table.  I have seen a number of the servers quick to assist patrons that aren’t at their table.  But I have also seen servers who pass you up because you are not at their table.  As always, hit or miss with the service.

Environment:

The manager of this establishment is really hands on and is a huge football fan.  He sits there as a customer and watches the games along with the patrons.  Many of the people are regulars and are recognized by the employees on a first name basis.  I do have to admit that at times you feel like an outsider as the servers spend a lot of time at the tables of regular customers.  It is a personable environment and it serves its purpose as a good place to watch the games.

Overall, the TV set up really soured me on this Oggi’s, especially in comparison to the other one.  It was a huge bother to have to twist my body around to watch the games and it also caused me to miss parts of the games.  However, if you are in the South Bay and looking for a place to watch the games, Oggi’s Eastlake is somewhere worth giving a look.

Operation Domination

The San Diego Chargers kept up their winning ways, by demolishing the Kansas City Chiefs 43-14 in front of a sellout crowd. San Diego honored their fifty greatest players of all-time. This was a game with historical significance, and nothing short of a win would suffice. San Diego came out of the gates on defense.  QB Matt Cassel threw the ball, but to the other team.  Chargers then drove the ball 61 yards down the field, and scored a touchdown.  Kansas City would not let up defense.  They held the Bolts to seven points the rest of the 1st quarter.  In the second quarter the Chargers allowed the Chiefs to score on a 91 yard drive.  San Diego tightened the clamps defensively, and did not allow Kansas City to score the rest of the half.  Offensively quarterback Phillip Rivers was in a nice rhythm, hitting wide receiver Malcolm Floyd with a 53-yard strike.  This set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Ladainian Tomlinson.  San Diego added two more scores before the half to make it a 21-7 game. In the second half the Chiefs folded like origami.  San Diego’s was relentless on defense and forced turnovers. Charger fans be proud, because Sunday was a great lopsided victory.  Now it’s off to Cleveland for another win.