The NFL released the 2009 schedule yesterday evening and I have taken it upon myself to review the Bolts schedule. What follows are my quick hit thoughts on how the regular season will play out:Monday, September 14, at Oakland: Beat-down victory. LT rushes for a buck twenty and silences the fool critics and naysayers. 38 - 22 Bolts.
Sunday, September 20, Ravens: No way the Flacster comes into the Bolts house and gets a W. Merriman gets two sacks, Cro gets a pick and the Bolts win 24-13.
Sunday, September 27, Dolphins: The Fins come back down to Earth this season and this game is a prime example. Phil guns for 320 and Sproles returns a punt. Bolts win 27 - 10.
Sunday, October 4, at Stillers: It's early in the season, which is what you hope for as a visiting team to Pittsburgh, but the Burgh is a tough place to play anytime. The Bolts fight valiantly, but the Stillers pull out the win 24 - 20.
BYE WEEK: Despite the loss at Pittsburgh most media hacks have the Bolts in the top 5 in the Power Rankings. They already have a 2-game lead in the AFC West and Rivers leads the league in passer rating and touchdown passes. LT has over 400 yards on the ground. Merriman leads the NFL in quarterback hurries.
Monday, October 19, Broncos: The Cutler-less Broncos prove frisky under new coach Josh McDaniels, but the Denver D is still heinous. Sproles breaks two long touchdown runs and Gates catches 8 for 160. Bolts win 41 - 28.
Sunday, October 25, at K.C.: Arrowhead is usually a tough place to play but not this early in the season. Matty Cassel proves overmatched by the Merriman-led Bolts D, and Shaun Phillips comes up with two sacks and returns a fumble for a touchdown. Herm knew how to keep the Chefs close to S.D., but Todd Haley hasn't a clue. Bolts win 24 - 3.
Sunday, November 1, Raiduhs: The Raiders are improving but are no match for the Bolts at the Q. LT busts his longest run of his career, an 86-yard TD scamper to pace the Bolts to a 26 - 10 victory.
Sunday, November 8, at Gints: The NFL has been building up this game since Week 1 and Joe Buck and Troy Aikman are in a tizzy. Eli feels the footsteps of Shawne Merriman, however, and throws three picks, including a critical fourth quarter wailing duck that falls into the waiting hands of Eric Weddle. That pick leads to a 2:00 drive by Phil Rivers setting up the game-winning Nate Kaeding field goal as time expires. Bolts win 20 - 17.
Sunday, November 15, Iggles: After the emotional win on the road against the Gints the week before, the Bolts fall in the rain against Donovan McNabb and the Eagles. A questionable holding call brings back a 22-yard LT touchdown run in the second quarter and the Bolts have to settle for a field goal. That ends up being the difference as the Eagles hold on to win 23 - 21.
Sunday, November 22, at Denver: On a chilly afternoon in Denver, Kyle Orton manages one of the best games of his career, going 16- 22 with 284 yards, leading Denver to an upset win over the Bolts. The turning point comes late in the first half when starting left tackle Marcus McNeil has to leave the game with a stinger and the Bolts offense never quite gets on track. Denver wins 27 - 23.
Sunday, November 29, Chefs: Back home on a sparkling afternoon in the Diego, the Bolts offense lets out some frustration on the Chefs overmatched defense. Rivers throws for 4 touchdowns and LT, for the first time in two seasons, throws for one himself. Bolts win 41 - 10.
Sunday, December 6, at Cleveland: The new-look Browns under Coach Eric Mangini have had some success this season but are no match for the Bolts. Swirling winds in Cleveland limit the Bolts passing game, but LT and Sproles each rush for over 100 yards and Jacob Hester scores two goal-line touchdowns. Bolts win 36 - 16.
Sunday, December 13, at Dallas: The NFL has marketed the hell out of this game all week and Joe Buck and Troy Aikman are again in a tizzy. Merriman is so pumped before the game he eats a small child. Rivers, calm and collected as per usual, throws for 286 yards and 3 touchdowns, carving up the Dallas D all afternoon. A late Merriman sack of Romo ices the victory. Bolts win 28 - 20.
Sunday, December 20, Bungles: Hosting Cincy, Norv has the offense running on all cylinders. Rivers throws an 80-yard TD to Vincent Jackson on the first play from scrimmage and Chris Chambers catches 11 passes for 176 yards. LT passes 1000 yards on the season with a 22 carry, 96 yard afternoon. Carson Palmer gets his 320 yards passing but mostly between the 20s. Bolts win 34 - 17.
Friday, December 25, at Tennessee: The doubters are out all week because the Bolts have already clinched the AFC West and are coming off only 4 days rest to turn around and play on Christmas Day. But Norv doesn't lose in December and this day is no different. The Titans play dirty as usual but the Bolts manage to rise above the fray and pull away in the second half for a 31 - 20 victory.
Sunday, January 3, Skins: Having clinched a first round bye in the playoffs, Norv decides to play his starters for a half and then get Billy Volek some reps. It matters not. The Bolts D decides it wants to pitch a shutout to make a statement to those who say the Stillers had the best D in the AFC during the season, and hassle Jason Campbell all afternoon. Volek even hits Malcolm Floyd and Buster Davis for two second half TD passes. Bolts win 24 - 10.
And there you have it. I'm predicting a 13 - 3 regular season and a first round bye in the playoffs, perhaps even home field advantage throughout.
Can't wait until September.
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