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Disclaimer: This post is usually followed up by a "Chargers Will Win" post that gives reasons that San Diego might defeat their upcoming opponent. Due to time constraints (thanks, holidays) and no real ideas on how San Diego could win, that post will be skipped this week.
Terrell Suggs
The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year is still trying to get back into shape after returning from an ACL injury. This will be just his fifth game this season. These things would work in San Diego's favor, but they do not outweigh the fact that Suggs will be going up against Jeromey Clary, Mike Harris and Ryan Mathews. Those guys are not exactly known for their pass-blocking abilities.
In 5 career games against the Chargers, Suggs has 23 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 1 interception.
Haloti Ngata
Maybe the best Defensive Tackle in football, Ngata will also be going up against backups along the Chargers offensive line. More specifically, he'll be matched up mostly against Nick Hardwick and Rex Hadnot (who is filling in for Tyronne Green). Hardwick is good Center, but he relies more on his intelligence than his strength at this point. Who knows what Hadnot is, but he was sitting behind Green (who was terrible) all season. Don't expect many runs up the middle to have success for San Diego's offense.
Torrey Smith
In 2012, Smith has been absolutely everything you could want out of a #2 Wide Receiver. In 10 games he has caught 32 passes for 555 yards and 7 touchdowns. His speed is nearly unmatched in the league, forcing opposing defenses to keep at least one Safety deep to try and avoid giving up the big play. If that Safety ends up being Atari Bigby at any point in the game, there's a good chance Torrey Smith ends up in the game's highlight reel.