San Diego Chargers Daily Links: December 30, 2013

Analysis: Bolts didn't back in - Tom Krasovic (paywall)
They won nine games. The Parcellsian truism applies. You are what you are, and the Chargers are a 9-7 team that is the AFC's No. 6 seed. They won five of their last six games. They dealt Denver its only home loss this year, and would return there by winning next Sunday. They upset the Chiefs in Kansas City.

[Must Read] Eric Weddle's gutsy call helps Bolts to playoffs - Kevin Acee (paywall)
What Weddle saw were just six Chiefs in the box. He waited and watched to see if any more defenders would crowd in toward the line. They didn’t. Such a look begs for a fake. Special teamers love fake punts. They get mad in practice when Weddle doesn’t opt for one. But calling it in that situation is easier said than done, sort of like swimming in the shallow end of a pool versus swimming in a shark-infested ocean.

An Ending for the Ages - Nick Toney
"My dad always told me," said Philip Rivers with a sly grin, "that if you want the ball to bounce your way, go to the gym."

Gutsy Fake Punt Propels Bolts to Victory - Ricky Henne
"Coach gives me the opportunity to call those things when I see it," Weddle said. "I was looking to see the (Chiefs’) look – whether the corners were going to come in at all like they did earlier in the game, and they didn’t. With that look I felt like we could get two yards as a punt team with me running the ball. If we are going to go down, let’s go down doing what we do and that’s playing aggressive until the end. We got just enough."

Ryan Mathews Delivers - Nick Toney
Those same big guys were quick to turn the credit back to the Bolts' newest record-holder, though. Mathews holds the eighth-best rushing season in team history after his 144 yard day against the Chiefs. He's notched a run of 20 yards or more in three straight weeks.And on top of it hall, Mathews has topped 100 rushing yards in six games -- rivaled only by Philadelphia's LeSean McCoy.