***SWAMPSGIVING GAME 2 - LAC @ DAL***

***LOS ANGELES CHARGERS @ DALLAS COWBOYS***

Excellent second game on the Thanksgiving slate to feast on for our main course as the 4-6 Los Angeles Chargers head into Jerry World to take on the 5-5 Dallas Cowboys. Given their records, both teams will be fighting today to keep their hopeful runs at a possible playoff birth alive. The only difference here, is that both are clearly headed in opposite directions. If you have indulged in the Swamp before, chances are you've listened to me go on and on about how much talent this Chargers team has and how good they can be when healthy as I back them what seems like every other week. That being said, every time I'm behind them they make me sweat as they continue to find new ways to blow close games at the end, a trait that has followed them from last season. I am not one to ever put too much stock into a team's previous game when trying to handicap these games as I believe that can be fool's gold and get you into trouble. However, last week when the Chargers hosted the Buffalo Bills and their Rookie QB Nate Peterson, I think it was the just the medicine the doctor ordered to spark this team's usual late season run. The Chargers are no strangers to being in the current position that they once again find themselves in. They seem to relish in the November push as they tend to wait until then to finally surge and make a move. Although it was against a struggling team currently in a downward spiral and up against a QB making his NFL debut, it was a big time win because of the way they got it done. Peterson threw FIVE interceptions in the FIRST HALF last week. A historically bad Rookie QB debut, I didn't fact check that stat, but I feel good about putting it out there, it has to be. My point is that I believe the success of this game gave the Chargers that jolt of confidence they need moving forward. The pieces are there, led by veteran warrior QB Philip Rivers and a high octane offense with weapons at every position, the defense is also full of playmakers at every level. The DE tandem of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram has proven to be a lethal combination and today I believe they will put that on display for the world to see as they go hunting for Dallas QB Dak Prescott.

The Cowboys as we have seen have not been the same team without some of their key pieces. We all know how RB Ezekiel Elliot is now finally serving his six game suspension and I won't bore you with any details on that. Without Zeke, the running game isn't the same, 'nuff said. Left Tackle Tyron Smith has also been out with an injury and his absence has been felt majorly as Prescott has been under fire since. Smith may suit up today, but I got to believe even if he does, it won't be at 100%, and up against these pass rushing monsters, he will be in for a long day. The Chargers LBs and Secondary are both extremely talented as well and thrive off the success of their guys up front. I fully expect them to be highly motivated coming off of last week's big game and look to feast on some hurried passes by Dak once the Cowboys are forced to throw to keep up on the scoreboard. Yes, that means I expect the Cowboys to be playing from behind and that's because the current state of this Dallas defense. Still without LB Sean Lee, they are lost out there. Last week I put my faith in these guys to get it right with LB Anthony Hitchens filling in for Lee. I thought he and Justin Durant with Rookie Jaylon Smith rotating in would be enough to make up for Lee's absence and to their credit, they did fare well in the first half of what was an eventual beatdown at the hands of the Eagles on SNF a few days ago. Hitchens got injured, and in the second half that defense looked to want no part of playing football as they completely quit. Eagles RB Jay Ajayi came out and stated that fact after the Birds ran wild on them with ease. Needless to say, even with Hitchens back, it won't be enough up against another offense that can beat you both on the ground and through the air. The Cowboys simply do not have enough to compete with these guys if they are feeling it and playing at their best, which I think they finally are after a much needed "get-right" game last week. Rivers and WR Keenan Allen looked to be in sync once again and if those two are lighting it up like they are capable of good luck trying to slow those boys down. Rookie WR Mike Williams has slowly but surely been coming along after missing the first part of the season with an injury and like Detroit's Kenny Golladay, I expect him to have himself a breakout game here against a poor secondary to remind everybody who he is on the big stage today. Simply put, with the recent slide of the KC Chiefs, the Chargers have a real shot to do something here down the stretch. I expect them to string some wins together here to snag a playoff birth as I believe they can be a real threat in the AFC.

Dallas is literally on the opposite side of the spectrum here. After high hopes for this season, they have been stripped of what makes their motor run and they know that they aren't the same team without it. If they didn't know after their loss in Atlanta two weeks ago, they definitely know now after Philly laid the smackdown against them Sunday night. I got to believe their moral is at a all time low this season as Dak has looked mortal since losing Zeke and the running game. I do disagree with the sudden naysayers and believe Prescott is a great QB. I just think he is still extremely young, he's only in his Sophomore season folks. This is an adjustment/learning year for him as he sees what life is like without the best offensive line and running game in the NFL. I think he will find ways to keep this game competitive today and that it will most likely go down to the wire in what is most likely Dallas' last stand here, but I just believe it won't be enough and that the veteran Rivers will shine in a road win as they embark on their playoff run journey. Give me the ultimate family man on the day of family as his 100000 kids cheer him on watching at home! CHARGERS-1.5