Wipe the sleep out of your eyes and get ready for a fast start to this game.  Not only are the Chargers trying to keep their playoff hopes alive, if they lose today I'll take heat from Chiefs fans for the rest of my life.  I'd rather not do that.

Let's hope for an easy win and no injuries.

More photos » by Lenny Ignelzi - AP

about 1 month ago: San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson beats Denver Broncos cornerback Jack Williams in the back of the end zone for a three-yard touchdown reception during the first quarter of the NFL football game Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

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Hey, wake up!  The Chargers look good!  Special Teams is both great and terrible at the same time!  I need 4 safeties (2 by each team) to be this week's Carnac.

The Chargers may have finally gotten up for a game.  Now we just need them to make those fantastic 2nd half adjustments like they always do.

via www.purdue.edu

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Welcome to the open thread for the Week 6 AFC West Championship Super Bowl Extravaganza.  Please make sure your seatbelt is buckled and your tray tables are in the upright and locked position.  It's bound to be a crazy night, no matter what happens.

I will be around as much as possible.  I may miss the first 10 minutes of the game (I'll be seeing this movie), but I'll record it and catch up eventually with all of those commercial breaks.

Here's to hoping that Ian Scott is the guy that gets everyone else on the defense to "buy in" to Rivera's philosophy.  With two weeks to prepare, and a mostly healthy team, this is as good as the Chargers will get, folks.  Go get 'em.

(I had to post this comic book of Kyle Orton at Purdue.  It's too amazing to ignore.  It also looks like he shouldn't have rubbed his eyes with his right hand....)

The morning game of note this week is New York vs. New Orleans, a matchup featuring the #1 and 3 ranked teams according to DVOA.  Also on at 10am locally is #6 Baltimore vs. #5 Minnesota.

The afternoon game locally is the rather unexciting #13 New York vs. #24 Buffalo.

I'll be gone all morning, but I'll be home in the afternoon and if we need a new Game Thread I'll put one up then.

Since I know most of you will still be watching today's game (at least the Patriots/Broncos game), here's your open thread to chat about it.

I might be around for the early games.  I'll definitely be around for the late games.

Who else is ready for a weekend without a Chargers heart-attack game?

via i239.photobucket.com

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There's something special about the Chargers/Steelers matchups in Pittsburgh.  They always seem to be tough, hard-fought games that come down to one or two big plays.  When they're in primetime, they're even better.

Going into the game, I like the Bolts to win.  However, they have to ignore the crowd to have any chance at victory.  The players I'm focusing on, the ones that I think will be the keys to the game, are Philip Rivers (of course), Marcus McNeill, Malcom Floyd, Larry English, Kevin Burnett and Antonio Cromartie.  Big games from those guys and I'll be happy.

Although the Chargers fans don't play until tonight, that doesn't mean we have to be robbed of watching football all day!  Here are some games to keep an eye on and chat about in the comments while we patiently wait to see the Bolts face the Steelers.

1pm EST games

• Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans - Houston's offense has looked strong, but their defense has been porous.  The Raiders have had the exact opposite problem.  I'm betting Steve Slaton wakes up and the Texans win 3-0.
• Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars - I love Tennessee's implosion, if only because I think by time the Christmas game rolls around they'll be starting Vince Young at QB and playing for "the future".
• New York Giants at Kansas City Chiefs - I wouldn't be surprised if Matt Cassel leaves this game on the trainer's cart.  Larry Johnson too.
• Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots - Big game for everyone involved.  A Ravens victory would help make the Chargers more legitimate, and would also help to possibly keep New England out of the playoffs.

4pm EST games

• Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos - Perhaps the most interesting non-Chargers game of the week for Chargers fans.  If Dallas blows them out of the water, then the Broncos are still a year or two away from competing for the AFC West.  If it's even competitive, this division race will be tighter than we'd like.

More photos » by Chris Carlson - AP

about 1 month ago: Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington (10) scrambles for a first down between San Diego Chargers linebacker Kevin Burnett, left, and defensive end Jacques Cesaire, right, in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

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Game tied 3 to 3, there has been a lot of luck breaks for both teams but neither have been able to capitalize on them.