Chargers vs. Cowboys preview

Imagine 100,000 fans cheering and screaming for the home team. This is what the (9-4) Chargers will face in Dallas, except they will be the visiting team. Cowboy owner Jerry Jones knows how to entertain people, too bad it's not with the play of his team. Dallas has 8 wins and 4 losses on the season. Two of those losses were to teams that the Chargers have already beaten, the Giants and Eagles. San Diego is scorching right now and has a 7 game winning streak. Dallas has just come off a tough loss, and is ready to extract some revenge. This is also a home coming for Charger running back LT, who is from the lone star state. This will be a great opportunity for the Chargers to show they can beat another semi-elite team. I expect this game to be a shootout between two explosive offenses. Chargers head coach Norv Turner will be looking to stick it to his former team. He was once an offensive coordinator for Dallas, and almost became their head coach. Tune in for this game, and watch the Chargers lasso the Cowboys for their 8th straight win. This game will be at 1:15p.m. on CBS.

Lou's Week 14 Pro Picks

Cleveland over Pittsburgh
Cleveland hasn’t won any games recently, but they are playing some of their best football all season. The Steelers are playing some of their worst, giving Cleveland a chance to upset at home. Brown’s RB Jerome Harrison is quietly developing as one of the team’s best players and will get the majority of touches now that Jamal Lewis is out for the season. The Steelers secondary is hurting, notably Troy Polamalu, who is out. I predict the Browns to avenge their early season lost to the stumbling Steelers and snatch them out of playoff contention at home on national television.

Indianapolis over Denver
Denver is heating up and looking strong on both sides of the ball the past two games, but their last two opponents were the sleeping NY Giants and the slacking Kansas City Chiefs.  The Broncos don't have a chance against the the high-flying Colt's offense hungry for one more win to clinch home-field advantage.

Buffalo over Kansas City
Kansas City is horrible at rushing the passer, accumulating only 17 team sacks on the season.  Matt Cassel is 3rd most in getting sacked this season and the Bill's D is on fire with eight sacks and six picks in the last three games.  Buffalo's D also coughs up a TD less per game.  Unlike the AFC West, the AFC East is still up for grabs and even Buffalo could make a run for the division.  The Bills win this one.

Minnesota over Cincinnati
New Orleans over Atlanta
Green Bay over Chicago
New England over Carolina
Miami over Jacksonville
New York Jets over Tampa Bay
Seattle over Houston
Baltimore over Detroit
San Diego over Dallas
Tennessee over St. Louis
Oakland over Washington
Philadelphia over NY Giants
Arizona over San Francisco

Sports Bar Review

Watching football at your local sports bar is great.  But what if we took it up a notch?  At Eastlake Village Bowl and Tavern, you get food, football, and bowling.  This location is located in the South Bay at 930 Market St.

TV Set Up & Game Selection:

The Tavern has a great set up that allows for a 360° view of all the games.  TVs are mounted on the walls and surround the restaurant.  Even in the poor viewing areas there are at least 4-5 TVs that show a variety of games.  Overall the set up and game selection is superb, however when I went, one of the games was taken off because of a blowout.  I do not believe that NFL Sunday Ticket takes games off the air, but after talking to our waiter, that was what the Tavern claimed.  That brings it down a little to its current score.

Food & Prices:

Before going to the Tavern I had heard people often tell me that I had to try the burgers, they were to die for.  So of course, for all of you, I did and I have to say it was decent but nothing to write home about.  I actually found the appetizer platter to be the highlight of my dining experience.  The prices are reasonable and went home not feeling like I was over charged, which is always a good thing in these tight economic times.

Service:

The waiter that tended to my table was good, but as the time to the Chargers game grew near, he was nowhere to be found.  As I have always said it is a crapshoot with the service but just be aware that as game time approaches, it will be hard to get excellent service.

Environment:

Have you ever walked into a large sports bar and found it nearly empty.  Well that is what happened when I showed up for the morning games at the Tavern.  When I went in there was more employees working there than patrons.  However, as the Chargers game approaches, the place does a complete 180 and people are scrambling for seats.  If you want to watch a Chargers game here, make sure you arrive about 45 minutes early.

I was pleasantly surprised by Eastlake Village Bowl and Tavern.  I came in with very low expectations and I was shocked at what I good time I had there.  If you are ever in the South Bay and looking for a sports bar, this is the place I recommend.  Stop on by to the Tavern and enjoy the games.

I am currently taking suggestions for sports bars that you would want me to go review.  Anytime this season leave me a note and I will do my best to get out there and give the place a fair review.

LT Makes History and Bolts Get Victory

Cleveland- On a cold winter day the Cleveland Browns were a team that played with passion and pride. Unfortunately for them, they tried to play catch up in the final quarter. The San Diego Chargers had been the dominant team through most of the game. In the fourth the Chargers defense became very lax and gave up 16 points. This could have been a monumental upset for our Bolts. Coach Norv Turner was forced to use different players on defense due to injuries. The Chargers only lapse was their fourth quarter defense. Offensively though the Chargers were stout. LT finished with 64 yards rushing and one touchdown, and moved ahead of ex-Browns running back Jim Brown for 8th all time on the rushing list. Antonio Gates had a career high 167 receiving yards on 8 catches, and Phillip Rivers had 373 passing yards with 2 touchdowns. This was not the prettiest victory, but a pretty damn good one making it 7 straight wins. Chargers will be tested next week against the Dallas Cowgirls. Great win Bolts and special congratulations to LaDainian Tomlinson, for making history.