FanPost

2010 Chargers. Press Your Luck against the Seahawks.

Pyl
Wow, that feels better. As we continue the 2010 season of Press Your Luck, the Chargers come off a convincing 38-13 drubbing of the Jacksonville Jaguars. As opposed to the game in Kansas City that played like a GED adult missing questions and piling up whammies, the Chargers played this game with drive and determination, albeit on the sloppy side early.

This weeks look at the Chargers will have a substantially increased level of Big Bucks, and a sharp decrease in the number of whammies.

Below the jump is a list of things that I will be watching for against the Seattle Seahawks.

Brandyn Dombrowski

Bb

Last Week = Big Bucks!

For two weeks running (6 including the preseason), Brandyn Dombrowski has continued to play at a higher level than anyone has expected of him. No sacks allowed, and only a handful of missed blocks and pressures. For the next few weeks, Dombrowksi really doesn't have a good-to-great pass rusher facing him, and so the test will be being able to pick up offensive line adjustments, and handling blitzes to his side. This weekend, I imagine the Seahawks will look to attack Dombrowski with stunts, twists, and zone blitzes, and try to confuse him as opposed to beating him straight up.

Malcom Floyd, Legedu Naanee, and Buster Davis

Bb

Last Week = Big Bucks!

With the weather not a factor in San Diego last Sunday, this trio stepped their game up a notch and made it easy for Philip Rivers to distribute the ball across the field. The upside to this strategy for the Chargers means that there isn't one person for the defense to key on, and that any one of these players has an opportunity to beat the defense. This week, the Chargers pass catchers will face a good CB in Marcus Trufant. It is imperative that this trio continue to get open and make plays whenever the have the opportunity.

Aside from the tipped passes coming off the hands of Naanee and Antonio Gates, the Chargers would have posted a clean game on the passing side of the offense. This week's focus against Seattle relies on more of the same, protect the football, and open up the Seattle defense early to prevent Seattle from trying to take away Gates.

Also, this trio has an opportunity to prove that the Kansas City game was a fluke. With a potentially loud crowd and sloppy weather, a performance similar to the one last week against Jacksonville will accelerate the brewing pot of "We don't need Vincent Jackson" Kool Aid.

Ryan Mathews

Spins


Last Week = Need more spins

The expression goes something like this: One is an accident, Two is a coincidence, Three is a trend, Four is a problem, and Five is a habit. Unfortunately, Mathews is dealing with a high-ankle sprain and doubtful to play this week, but he still needs to learn to protect the football. I know last week's fumble against the Jaguars was dubious, but it highlights another lesson all young RBs (and Adrian Peterson) need to learn - there's a point at which fighting for the extra yard crosses from toughness to damn foolishness.

Philip Rivers

Bb

Last Week = Big Bucks!

The numbers were great, and I'm not going to penalize Rivers for 2 picks that were deflected off the hands of his own receivers. Also, with 3 turnovers in the 1st half, Rivers appeared more in control of his emotions of the field. More of the same this week, Philip!

Mike Tolbert

Bb

Last Week = Big Bucks!

Tolbert has been special the 1st 2 weeks, plowing through defenders on running plays, and making goal line opportunities look like a cakewalk. Over the previous 2 years, I have really liked Tolbert as a pass receiver out of the backfield, but his running appears to be catching up. I think Seattle has to commit to stopping Tolbert - Norv Turner would love nothing more than to bulldoze through Seattle's defense in inclement weather. This week, showing Seattle that he's a threat to catch the ball could lead to some huge plays . Furthermore, having Tolbert as a viable running option does nothing but help Ryan Mathews going forward, by saving him hits late in games.

Antoine Cason

Bb

Last Week = Big Bucks!

Cromartie missed or ran away from the play what? Exactly! Regardless of what INTs Cromartie pulls in while playing in New York, the reality is that he would never have had the game that Cason did against Jacksonville. Three reasons... Cason's first pick was a combination of fluid athleticism and out-thinking Jaguars' QB David Garrard, his second pick was because he maintained his zone responsibilities, instead of falling asleep on the field, and his forced fumble was the result of hustle and physical play. That was (by far) the best game we've seen on the corner from Cason.

This week against Seattle, I will be interested to see how Cason fares against a big physical receiver like Mike Williams, or against a fluid speedster like Golden Tate. If Cason shows he can handle either (or both) of these receivers, then we will be on our way to having a CB tandem who plays the pass and run with EQUAL aplomb.

Brandon Siler

Bb

Last Week = Big Bucks!

I have about reached the point where I think that Siler should be starting at ILB. Frankly, and this nothing against Stephen Cooper, Siler is bigger, stronger, faster, more instinctive, and far more aggressive. Better yet, Siler isn't over-aggressive, leaving gaps in the middle of the defense for opponents to exploit. Best of all, Siler brings an attitude and grit that out defense desperately needs against the opponent's running game. Hopefully, Siler can continue to pick up Cooper's veteran instincts, and accelerate his push into a full-time starting role.

Run Defense

Bb

Last Week = Big Bucks!

Ron Rivera got some really good play from the Defensive Line against Jacksonville, allowing the LBs and Safties to come up and clean up. Really, after what happened with Jamaal Charles, the fact that Maurice Jones-Drew posted a long run of 7 yards is very heartening, and allowing a total of 71 yards rushing on 24 attempts is good work under any circumstances. This week, the Chargers don't get much of a test with Justin Forsett and Julius Jones, so the emphasis must be on stopping either player from eating up yards in the middle and allowing Seattle to control the clock.

Pass Rush

Spins

Last Week = Need more spins

Antonio Garay posted a sack, while Eric Weddle and Larry English combined for a sack. Hurries and knockdowns help contribute to at least a couple of interceptions. But it's still not enough. As each week passes, it's becoming more and more evident that the Chargers need a fully healthy Shawne Merriman to either attack the blind side, or create opportunities for others. One possible assist to the pass rush would be Antwan Applewhite, who has shown at least as much as English, and far more than Jyles Tucker.

Special Teams

2 whammies

Last Week = 2 whammies.

Anything was better than the Week 1 showing against Kansas City, but last week wasn't much of an improvement. Getting punts blocked almost always leads to disaster, and this week, new long snapper Ryan Neill must focus on getting the ball back to Scifres ASAP! Coverage teams were spotty again last week, and this is a concern going against Golden Tate. Some improved punt and kick returns would be welcome as well.

Bottom Line.

This week, the Chargers go against old play-calling nemesis Jeremy Bates, who used to call the shots for Mike Shanahan's offense in Denver. This means lots of 3 and 5 step drops, flare and screen passes mixed with occasional throws down the seam. Also, since Bates is a Walsh offense acolyte, special attention must be paid to Seattle trying to strike for TDs once they reach the Chargers' 30-yard line. In my mind, the primary focus must be Cason, Jammer, and Gregory forcing Hasselbeck off his initial reads, and giving the pass rush a chance to make plays. If not, look for long, time-consuming drives.

On offense, the formula for the Chargers is the same as it's been the last 2 weeks. They have to get some explosive plays from the Floyd/Naanee/Davis trio early in the game. This will open space for Gates underneath and give Tolbert, Sproles, and Hester a chance to control the clock in the 2nd half.

Getting a big 1st half lead is imperative this week, both to mitigate the weather, and to take Seattle's home crowd out of the game.

With the special teams issues in the last 2 weeks, I expect Seattle to try and go after Scifres' punts, as well as try a gimmick in the return game (like what Pittsburgh pulled on Tennessee last week).

I think this game will be closer than last week's game. Chargers 24, Seattle 16.

This FanPost was written by a member of the Bolts From The Blue community and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bolts From The Blue editors or SB Nation.