Chargers at 49'ers

This week's matchup for the Chargers - on paper - looks like it should be all one-sided. Chargers, in theory, should have little trouble with a still young, but improving, 49'er team. But the Chargers of recent like to play to the level of competition. Last year they beat the (up until then) undefeated Colts and looked impressive doing so. It kept the Charger playoff hopes alive at the time and appeared as if it would energize the team for the final few weeks of the season. Instead they lose the following week to a woeful Miami team essentially ending any hope for the playoffs. This will be the first test of this season to see if the Chargers - after rising up and winning a game against a formidable opponent (Pittsburgh) - can keep their intensity level and beat what should be a fairly beatable opponent. Schottenheimer apparently wasn't happy with the exucation and level of play during practice yesterday, so the team may already be taking this week off.

I like to think that the Ravens loss was one that would linger with the team for a while and further give them drive to play at a high level at all times. Phillip Rivers has yet to look bad in any game and I suspect he will again be allowed to pass fairly frequently. Teams have been keying on the run which shows in Tomlinson's early season numbers so far but I think once Rivers gets more comfortable and the team has more faith in the passing game will only make Tomlinson a bigger threat down the road. Word is that the defense is getting the stigma of being a top-tier defense for 55 minutes of a football game but can't seal the deal when the game is on the line and many want to prove that is not the case... I don't think this week it will matter. I think the Chargers should win this game and do so going away.

Chargers 27 49'ers 13