Believe it or not I want the Colts and Chargers to get bye..

[Rob0729]

I am concerned about SD.
This season, unlike past seasons, the Schottenheimer factor has been somewhat negated as he's personally stepped back and let his able assistants run the team more. It shows. We can no longer book a Martyball L in the playoffs.

Our run D is weaker now with Jr on IR. LT is a force. Remember people, LT is excellent at throwing the option pass too.

On D, their fast, strong outside pass rush could give 'Matador' Light some wiffs and cause a QB turnover or two. Keeping a TE in to help Matt wave the rusher through only weakens our weak passing attack.

On field performance puts the 2006 Chargers as the better football team. What further injuries may wrought and specificly how the teams actually play on the field in January will be the final determinant.

Look at some of Schottenheimer teams of the past, he has gotten away from Marty Ball in the regular season and then got ultra conservative in the playoffs. As recent as 2004, Schottenheimer let up the reigns on Marty Ball only to get conservative in the playoffs. They scored over 30 points seven times that season and over 40 twice. They were 3rd in the league in scoring with 27.9 PPG. I am not sure that this year is different.

 

[Rob0729]

You do know that we have a perpetual unsolved problem covering good TEs like Gates.
Wishing for Martyball in January is just that, a wish.

It isn't so much a wish, but a proven trend. Schottenheimer loves to play aggressive offense in the regular season and conservative to the point of stupidity in the playoffs.

He may have learned from his past, but he was just as aggressive on offense in 2004 as he is this year and then got really conservative against the Jets and gave the game away.