MVN: Most Valuable Network

"Pressure, pushing down on me

Pressing down on you, no man ask for it

Under pressure- that burns a building down

Splits a family in two

Puts people on streets"

                                                          - "Under Pressure" by David Bowie & Queen

Chargers fans are familiar with the team's signature song, "San Diego Super Chargers."  This year, after a 4-6 start, the song "Under Pressure" might seem more appropriate.  This team is under immense pressure to put together a complete game and, more importantly, put together a winning streak that moves them toward a winning record.  Not only is their season on the line, but their motivation to finish the season strong is at risk of vanishing (dangerous for a team that already plays uninspired football), and that leads to the risk of turnover on the roster and the coaching staff next season.  Yeah, some of these guys may become "people on streets" if they don't get their act together. 

There is also pressure coming from within their own division, as the Denver Broncos keep winning the games they need to win to maintain their lead in the AFC West.  If the Chargers believe that they are still in this race they need to win now, against the Indianapolis Colts, and pray that the Broncos fall apart against the tougher teams left on their schedule.

Just thinking about Sunday night's matchup against the Colts makes me nervous.  Sure, we beat the Colts twice last year but the difference between the 2007 Chargers and the 2008 version is like night and day.  Last year's team was building positive momentum at just the right time when they faced the Colts.  This year's team is trying to stop the downhill slide of poor play.  And they really couldn't get the Colts at a worse time.  Indianapolis started the season poorly, but have recently snapped back into a dominant force within the AFC.  Last week Peyton Manning threw for over 300 yards and Joseph Addai ran for over 100 yards in the same game for the first time ever.  That's an offense that seems to be back on track, at the worst possible moment for the Bolts.

Chargers on offense:  The Colts are ranked 17th in the league in total defense, 9th against the pass and 25th against the run.  Hey, maybe Coach Norv will notice the disparity in their performance in passing defense and rushing defense and find a way to gameplan a successful ground attack.  LT is healthy, and I have a feeling that the offensive line just needs one good consistent game to turn things around.  If the Chargers do what they need to do, expect LT to run for well over 100-yards, while Rivers take a back seat in the offense for the first time this season.

Chargers on defense:  The Colts are ranked 6th in the league in passing, but are dead-last when running the ball.  The Chargers are still ranked last against the pass.  I wonder what the Colts' gameplan will be against the Chargers defense come Sunday?  In the past the Chargers have matched up well against Peyton Manning because of their ferocious pass-rush.  If the Chargers can build off of their defensive performance last week then we might have a good game on our hands.  Ron Rivera, you better be watching game film from last season's wins over the Colts.  You have to put Manning on the ground.

Prediction:  My previous column has already given away the fact that I don't have a lot of faith in the Bolts to beat a Colts team that is getting stronger down the stretch.  The Colts do have a lot of injury concerns right now, and that could be a huge advantage for the Chargers if they play the game that they need to play.  Still, I won't believe that the Chargers are back on the right track until I see it.  Colts 31- Chargers 24