Game Prediction: SD 14, JAX 21

Update: Eric Parker missed some practice this week due to a problem with his equilibrium which is either related to a mild concussion or a virus. If he cannot play, Dondre Gillam would replace him. Tim Dwight is still questionable to play but probably will. His knee is not 100% yet which will affect his speed. I am assuming that both Parker and Dwight can play but have slightly lowered their numbers. Recognize that there is risk in starting either.

Byron Leftwich has been named as the starting quarterback over Mark Brunell who feels he is healthy enough to play. HC Jack Del Rio, however, feels that Leftwich gives them the best chance to win.

Ah yes, the battle of the perfect teams. This will be the final matching of winless teams this season unless the SD-CHI meeting in week 9 contains the unimagineable.

The Chargers are winless and already hopeless for a playoff run, but give the guys some well earned respect. When $47 million David Boston acted up and openly defied the team rules of conduct, Marty Schottenheimer called him into his office and told him he was wrong, he would get with the program or else, he would take the next week off to think about it - MISTER - and that he had already called Boston's mother to come pick him up.

He did that even though Reche Caldwell was already out injured and Tim Dwight would be a scratch for the game. A big salute from the working class that could never get away for such behavior with a fraction as much pay. Boston is back this week and has read a public apology to the media but took no questions. He also never actually apologized to his teammates but heck - they watch TV too. It was as "tail between the legs" as one can expect from Boston.

The Chargers came very close to beating the Raiders anyway, surprisingly enough. Were it not for running out of gas in the fourth quarter just when the Raiders finally found second gear, San Diego would have been the winner.

Drew Brees completed 21 of 31 for 187 yards and had one touchdown thrown to TE Justin Peelle (3-24) while also catching a 21 yard touchdown himself on a halfback pass from Tomlinson. You know the receivers are banged up when the QB has to go out for a pass.

LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 187 yards on 28 carries, had seven catches for 24 yards plus the TD throw. A very nice day at the office though not enough to win the game. Tomlinson's rushing score came on a 55 yard run.

Eric Parker (1-10) did nothing all day since he was the lone Charger receiver that the secondary thought had a chance to catch a pass. With Stephen Alexander still hopelessly injured, Justin Peelle (3-24) and Antonio Gates (2-30) will again fill in.

While the offense gave a near heroic effort in the loss, the defense once again proved the undoing, allowing Gannon to regain his 2002 form and throw for 348 yards and three touchdowns while allowing 120 yards rushing to Garner, Wheatley and the rest. This week? Probably more of the same.

The Jaguars latest version of "close don't count" came against the Texans in a game they had won until the Texans final, and now fabled, drive to win the game as time expired.

Byron Leftwich set the team record with an 84 yard touchdown completion to Troy Edwards (3-111). Otherwise, the rookie was less than stellar. Leftwich completed 17 of 36 passes for 231 yards (including the bomb to Edwards), had three interceptions and a very critical fumble late in the fourth quarter.

The details of that game matter little now, since Mark Brunell is expected to be back as well as the much anticipated Jimmy Smith who has spent the past four weeks learning to NOT breath through his nose on all occasions. Smith will take over for Matthew Hatchette who almost seemed serviceable at times. His presence should help the passing game which in turn opens the running game up.

Fred Taylor needs the help. Other than the one 126 yard effort against the Colts that came primarily on a long run, Taylor has been stuck at around 70 yards rushing a game. Since San Diego usually allows about twice that much, this is a good week to start Taylor.

Look for Taylor and Tomlinson to both challenge the 100 yard mark this week and for both Boston and Smith to reappear with good results. In the end, the lack of an actual defense for San Diego will again get in the way.