Carolina game predictions

[phlash74]

Just to kick things off for Sunday...

Chargers probably will start slow, with the injuries on the offensive
line causing the Bolts to take some time getting into sync. The
absence of Steve Smith due to his suspension is a big help for SD,
they'll be able to bring Weddle into the box more often and help shore
up what looked to be a somewhat leaky run defense. It won't be quite
as ugly as last year's opener vs. the Bears, but the results will be
similar (i.e. low scoring tight first half, Chargers make a couple big
plays to put it away in the 2nd half).

San Diego 23
Carolina 10

Michael

[Chuck D.]

Bolts; 31, Panther cubs; 24. Tight contest all the way through, maybe
even into OT. I just hope I can watch w/ my sis.

GO BOLTS!!!

[josh sullivan]

Panthers 36
Chargers 17

[Kurgan Gringioni]

On Sep 5, 4:41 pm, Fro...@webtv.net (Chuck D.) wrote:

> Bolts; 31, Panther cubs; 24. Tight contest all the way through, maybe
> even into OT. I just hope I can watch w/ my sis.

Is she hot?

thanks,

K. Gringioni.

[Akiva]

"phlash74" <phla...@msn.com> wrote in message
news:daddbc15-79d9-4669...@m45g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...

I think it will take the Bolts a while to shake off the rust but...

Chargers 24
Panthers 17

(There will be a couple of isolation shots on Tolbert destroying guys on
blocks- what a monster!)

[Randall Turner]

"Akiva" wrote

> I think it will take the Bolts a while to shake off the rust but...
>
> Chargers 24
> Panthers 17
>
> (There will be a couple of isolation shots on Tolbert destroying guys on
> blocks- what a monster!)

I'm not predicting a game score. And I'm not expecting our Oline to dominate
anyone. I'm just hoping not to see Newberry and company whiff on pass
rushers all afternoon. I was not impressed in the preseason games.

[G.Kirkwood]

Bolts trail into the 4th 1/4, win 24-20

[gmoney]

I think this game will say a lot about how the rest of the season goes
for the Chargers. Probably more so than any other team in the league
this season.

Last season ended with a very sound West Coast passing offense. The
Chargers would leave a sixth blocker in at all times, and occasionally
the RB would chip the DE and release into the pattern. The Defenses of
Ten, Ind and NE in the playoffs were helpless against this offensive
scheme. NE was fortunate enough to meet this offense at half strength,
else they would have been staring 28-35 points to overcome.
Sunday's game will bring a defense similar to Ten, Jax and KC from
last season. They have one good pass rusher, a front seven that will
be able to stop LT without safety help, but the corners and safeties
will have trouble against guarding the 6 main pressure points of the
West Coast offense (2 out and 2 square in passes to the WR's, 2 deep
sideline passes to the WR's). I don't know about their LB speed since
their LB's are young, but at a minimum they must be able to chase
Antonio Gates with no help in order for their team to have a chance.
Rivers didn't look comfortable having to move in the Seattle preseason
game. His knee as well as Gates' health and the Carolina LB speed are
two big ? marks. Don't expect to see a whole lot of rushing yards.

When Carolina has the ball expect them to try their RB Jonathan
Stewart early and for him to get near 100 yards on 25-30 carries. QB
Jake Delhomme won't have the success throwing to his big target Muhsin
Muhammad since the Chargers' QB's match up well, but he might have
some success to WR DJ Hackett. Delhomme's main weakness is that he
doesn't go through progressions very quickly. If Carolina wants to win
this game they will need to go to max-protect and Delhomme will have
to fit the ball into very tight spots. I don't think he will be able
to do this consistently enough to win.

Chargers 20
Car 10

[Big Al]

Just to be on the safe side, please torch a bug or two for us Randall.

[J Hoppe]

Nice to see you still around Randall. :) Hope you have been well.

"Randall Turner" <nospa...@somewhere.com> wrote in message
news:85SdnQZ1QYSUKl_V...@comcast.com...

[Randall Turner]

I was in crunch land, finishing a game. Sequel to Saints Row. I also notice
the latest MS newsgroup reader handles the evil google format just fine.
That's nice.

"J Hoppe" <j2003.n...@sbcx.com> wrote in message
news:scEwk.36466$Fr1....@newsfe03.iad...

[Pouta]

TSN:

The Panthers are hoping a combination of DeAngelo Williams and rookie
Jonathan Stewart can add up to what the Chargers have in LaDainian
Tomlinson. For SN's Super Bowl pick, they just want to keep LT,
Antonio Gates, Shawne Merriman, Philip Rivers and the rest of their
talented roster healthy enough to play. Carolina will be finer with
Jake Delhomme back healthy but doesn't have enough pop for the upset.

• Chargers 30, Panthers 10

[Scott T.]

"gmoney" <gmone...@mailandnews.com> wrote:
>I think this game will say a lot about how the rest of the season goes
> for the Chargers. Probably more so than any other team in the league
> this season.
>

Agree.

I will be curious to see how the Chargers run defense does today as Carolina
was not a particularly strong running team in 2007.

Conversely this should be a good test for the Chargers offensive line (minus
2 starters), as Carolina finished 4th in the NFL for run defense (yds/carry)
in 2007.

The oddsmakers have the over/under at 41, which would suggest a 24-17 final.
I think they are under estimating the Panthers defense (run & pass). I think
17-10 makes more sense - unless the Bolts get three or four turnovers.