It Almost Seems Too Perfect

Fighting out of the blue corner, unbeaten in the month of December since 2005, we have the San Diego Chargers! And in the - I dunno - silver corner(?), 5-9 in December with Quarterback Tony Romo, the Dallas Cowboys!

From that clever little intro you would think mismatch. The Chargers are the best late-season team in the NFL, the Cowboys have famously choked down the stretch in recent years. But let's not get overconfident. The Chargers are banged up on the D-line. In addition to the losses of Jamal Williams and Ryon Bingham, new addition Alfonso Boone will also be out. Luis Castillo and Travis Johnson are probable with some minor nicks and bruises. All in all, not a very healthy front 7. Meanwhile, the Cowboys finally have their entire backfield (Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Tashard Choice) off the injury report. That means a lot of runs breaking into the secondary where - surprise! - the Chargers surest tackler, Eric Weddle, is also out. I'm seeing a long run or two in this contest.

So the Chargers will not be slowing the Cowboys down. That means the burden is going to rest - as it often does - on the offense. Dallas is fast on the front 7 and 9th in the NFL in rush defense, so just count LT out. Really, just do it. I know you don't want to but really, it'll save you pain later. Moving on. The place where you attack the 'Boys, naturally, is through the air. They're 19th in the League in pass defense and have a habit of giving up big plays. Enter Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates, who have a habit of making big plays. Awesome.

So yes, it looks like a shootout. The Bolts can't slow down the Cowboys, and the Cowboys can't slow down the Bolts. In fact, I can't even give them the coaching edge, since Wade Phillips is also awful. But the Cowboys need a win, and I'm predicting some overconfidence from the Chargers with also these December comparisons. 38-35 Dallas. Former Wildcat(!) Nick Folk kicks the game-winner. My apologies.