The Bolts roll into Week 7 looking to turn momentum into a streak after last week’s storm-soaked win in Miami. Greg Roman’s quick game found rhythm, Justin Herbert looked decisive again, and the defense showed flashes of progress — but Jesse Minter’s group still needs to clamp down on the run as they face a Colts offense built around Jonathan Taylor and rising tight end Tyler Warren.
This week’s matchup feels like a test of toughness and adjustment. Can the Chargers keep the offense balanced, protect Herbert against Lou Anarumo’s creative fronts, and plug those backside run fits that have been haunting them? With Denzel Perryman back and Khalil Mack healthy, there’s no better time to find out.
Kick back, grab your storm gear, and sound off below — it’s game day. Let’s hear your bold predictions, score calls, and who you think steps up big against Indy.
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Tough game to watch. From the start it appeared the D played not to lose. Rather see them lose playing less zone.
Areas of concern:
OL of course it is bad perhaps Bozeman can sit on the bench for this game and OL coach needs to go.
ST they have been poor this season to many long returns. What happened?
Intensity and game preparation seem off not sure why.
The off season moves (and lack of moves) have come back to haunt the team.
I’ll have to watch the Colts game again tomorrow on All-22 to confirm initial thoughts.
I was expecting a loss yesterday. I’m pretty disappointed that the Defense conceded 40 points. But heading into this game my feeling was:
I really just think the Colts got us at the right time of the season and in the right circumstances. Our Offense had two untimely turnovers in the RZ. The Colts v Minter looked like Detroit v Staley which is exactly what I was expecting. You just can’t stop an OL that good with the Defense we had out there.
If we face the Colts again in January with even a decently healthier team, I expect different results. They were great yday. Good for them. We move on.
Little worried about the status/longevity of the site here fellas. Just a handful of committed posters. I know what you’re thinking. I don’t contribute shit. Fair. A couple thoughts
Vidal/Haskins is the worst rb room in the league. Probably nothing to be done here except wait and hope Hampton comes back sooner than later and pray his ankle holds. Id give Hines some carries on Thursday.
Oweh needs to justify the trade pronto. I appreciate Hortiz’s effort, but he’s gotta provide more. One armed Mack and Tuli aren’t going to provide consistent pass rush.
Losing Hand has hurt the Dline significantly. He was playing well IMO. Very worried about this group. Caldwell has leveled off. Lotta pressure on a rookie.
The fuck is up with Henley? Have seen reports that he lost a shit ton of weight from his sickness. That’s one hell of a cold. He needs to get right immediately.
Derwin is back to trying too hard or something. He’s bouncing off ball carriers waaay too much. He looks gassed early in games.
Becton is a disappointment. He’s moved off his spot incredibly easily for a man his size. I think he’s probably just too fucking big honestly. Reminds me of Fluker.
Not confident for Thursday. Hopefully the Vikes start McCarthy. He ain’t it.
All of these were fun and creative contributions. More of them please! Getting Hines onto the field on Offense would be smart. Not just as a rusher, but he can catch the ball too.
I put so much time into re-watching the game and podcast prep in the 48 hrs after a game finishes that I tend to be invisible on Stormcloud here until Wednesdays.
I try to make up for that by putting all my energy into producing a decent product for everyone and then engaging in discussion in the subsequent 48 hours.
If people would generally like me to be involved though earlier in the week shout out! I don’t want people to feel like they’re speaking into a chasm here.
Sheeit, Al. Your contribution is second to none. Always enjoy reading and listening to whatever you have for us. Thanks for everything dude.
The critic of this site is fair. The counter argument is that the alternatives are filled with low-information fans. Its like discussing football with my 11 year old daughter.
I dip my toe in other sights, but value the knowledge and insights of this community.
Agree with Al – Good post.
TBF the site is like a year old and it is a grass roots build. It’s not on the SB Nation or Volume platform with built in traffic. As long as we keep getting some good conversation and content, we will be fine. As Kev said, I would rather have a smaller base of knowledgeable, passionate fans than get the uninformed trolls you see somewhere else.
Who have they developed? NoooooBody…
😆
Can’t say I blame you for feeling this way – I know I’m not able to get out as much content as the site deserves… but the objective behind building it wasn’t for me to amplify my voice/output (I personally would have had more reach sticking around with VOX if that was the goal), but to build a sandbox that our members could play in, and one we could adapt and build out as we saw best fit as time went on.
Something I think we could definitely improve on is the “Start a Storm” plugin, which hasn’t quite worked the way I hoped it could – I really appreciate guys like
Tau837 and 
Erick V sinking time into exploring it’s functionality and getting articles up, but I think the next step might just be to forgo the “Start a Storm” button and give everyone full “Writer” access role, enabling them to all the editing functionality and tools WordPress offers.
The reason I haven’t done this before is I do want the site to to follow all copywrite and licensing laws, especially regarding photo usage. If members add licensed photography (which basically every photo you find online of NFL players in games, practice, etc), it’s a big no-no and legal risk for the site. The idea behind Start a Storm was to create post-writing functionality for members that disabled “Featured Images” from being added.
I don’t know if the ability to have better functionality to format and have much more features at their fingertips would inspire users to write more, but I doubt it would hurt.
But overall – I don’t mind if the site is only 5-10 of us that get along and engage in thoughtful football discussion. I do still plan on further developing the site, but money has been tight and my time has largely ben consumed with taking care of my daughter and my wife who’s gone through a really rough pregnancy, so my available hours have juristically plummeted. I’m definitely moving slower than I’d like, but it’s not from lack or interest or giving up… it’s just the pace I’m currently able to move is slow.
Kyle, I appreciate all you have done to stand up and support this site. I’m sure everyone here feels the same way. Sorry to hear about your wife’s rough pregnancy and hope better days are ahead.
100% agreed. Kyle, you have done a great job on here providing us with a space to share our views. The “Start a Storm” function worked fine for me and should for anyone that wants to write a piece. I don’t think you need to add any additional access that could have a negative effect.
I hope your wife fares better the next few months. Being pregnant is no joke. They go through a lot.
I think it limits your ability to format and such Erick – and I know how much you enjoy your scouting series, I definitely want to make it more accessible and easier for you to post. Similar to how Tau has many spreadsheet-heavy content pieces that everyone loves, I want to make sure we’re able to properly feature those.
Thanks brother. It’s just draining on her working full time, with a one hour commute, and at 37 (I think) pregnancy is bit extra draining. We actually got pregnant in January, miscarried quickly, and got pregnant again in late February or March… so it’s felt like an 11 month pregnancy for her.
We started her 6 month maternity leave on Monday, so if it went similarly to last go-around, I’ll get some time back to tinker on the site more. But our first kid was easy… if this one is more of a challenge I’m totally in for it.
Kyle, I have two of my own (boy, girl) and if this one is a boy, believe me you got the harder one first. Boys are a breeze compered to girls, but the girls melt your heart to make up for it. At least you are still in man coverage, if you ever get to 3 or more you have to go to zone!!!!
Heading into Thursday (a little drunk):
Offense:
O-line is in shambles. Bad center. Decent guards when Becton isn’t hurt, tackles coming from the railroad tracks.
Running game: RB3 is RB1.
Passing game: still surprisingly good. Keenan, Ladd, and Gadsden now play like superstars.
Defense:
D-line is ok against the pass, sub-par against the run.
LBs aren’t showing up as to their potential.
DBs play mostly ok, but give up big plays way too often.
I just don’t know, man. I love this team, but I just don’t know.
Six and four should make the playoffs, but those six wins feel like a real hill to climb.
Once again we ask, what is the identity of the team? The offense can get a little pass b/c of the RB and OT injuries, but what’s the excuse for the defense? Three weeks in a row they’ve been shredded rushing and passing.
The 3-0 start was a mirage. This isn’t a playoff team. Blame the OL injuries if you want, but this is the exact IOL and Edge room they penciled in to start week 1. Minnesota is going to put Herbert in a coma.
You say “Blame the OL injuries if you want, but this was the exact IOL … they penciled in to start week 1.”
But the second part of your statement ignores that Alt and Pipkins were also slated to start week 1, and both missed this game. In fact, what was true about weeks 1-3 that has not been true in any week since? Alt and Pipkins played the entire game in those weeks and did not play the entire game in any week since.
That is obviously a big part of the offensive challenges, particularly Alt.
Regardless of the OTs, how well has the IOL performed? They signed Bozeman to a multi-year deal to be the worst C in the league and the supposed “upgrade” at RG has been meh at best when he can actually stay in the lineup. Zion has played OK, but that’s comparing him to the horse shit surrounding him.
The 49ers might be the most injured team in the league, yet they come out every week and look sound. They aren’t getting blown out at home. No team is going to have every starter play every snap, but other teams find ways to compete with less.
It’s time we stop using the injuries as a crutch. The defense has been mostly healthy. What’s their excuse? They are getting out coached and out schemed every week since the Raiders game. Denver out schemed them, but Herbert went God mode to bail them out then and had to do it again last week against Mia. I guess that’s the identity of the team, because there’s nothing else that’s been formed as a strength of the team.
Don’t disagree with this sentiment. The Bozeman signing was specifically egregious. He was terrible last year and is even worse this year. The coaches trotting him out there every week is infuriating.
And the lack of adjustments on defense this week was bad. There are DBs on this team that can play man. Why they played zone so often against an offense that is great at picking zone apart was just bad game planning.
Not sure what Jim & the staff’s plan is, but they are not a good football team right now. The injury excuse only plays so much. The defense shit the bed with most of their starters on the field. They need to adjust and coach their asses off down the stretch if they want this season to amount to anything.
The IOL sucks, and Bozeman is worst of all. I’m not defending what the team has done with the IOL, I have been as critical of it as everyone else. I have posted multiple times that the biggest failure of Hortiz’s tenure so far is not drafting a center in 2024, and I have also posted multiple times that IMO Hortiz et al. botched this past offseason with their approach to free agency and the draft.
But it’s still a fact that the team is 3-0 this season with Alt and Pipkins healthy, with two of those wins being over quality opponents (KC, DEN).
From an OL perspective, all we can reasonably hope for going forward is for Alt, Pipkins, and Becton to get and stay healthy the rest of this season. I don’t see why we would expect better quality play out of Bozeman, Zion, Salyer, Deculus, Hart, and/or Sarell.
I’m not arguing with you.
I have not re-watched the game, but, based on my less-than-sober initial watch, the defense lost this game. This is concerning as that unit is mostly healthy, especially with Mack and Perryman back. The defense couldn’t stop shit. Colt drives:
Chargers defensive rankings:
The offense had its usual challenges. Bozeman may be the worst starting offensive lineman in the NFL. I saw him lunge and miss on a double-team, tripping Zion and causing a pressure. The remaining OL players that played were OK. OL play will determine this team’s ceiling. Right now, teams know how to beat them and there is no counter-punch
This coaching staff has done a terrible job with the OL. How does a team get beat with the same day 1 install stunts every week?
The Vikings are going to put Herbert in a coma
This line is a fucking shit show with the injuries.
Bozeman is a fucking disgrace
Oh look….the “he’ll never get reps” TE just scored.
Wonder what PFF will say.
LMAO
Dude, it’s enough already. How long are you going to harp on the same stuff? Kyle specifically asked you not to carry arguments into new threads, yet here you are.
Do not:
When I said early on that I thought Gadsden could see the field early, did you or did you not say he’d have trouble finding reps over Dissly and Conklin? Where’s the argument? 164 yards of production. It doesn’t take PFF stats to see that he’s a baller.
You are correct that I did not expect Gadsden to get this many snaps and opportunities this year. I wrote:
Turns out you were right to be more optimistic about him in 2025 than I was. Kudos, you get to say “I told you so” which seems to make you happy.
Happy? Not at all, no more than the other judgments you decided to level in my direction while dismissing your condescension as discussion.
I’m going to drop this now, Tau. I’m done sharing any space with you.
I quoted my reply to you about Gadsden here.
It is me posting my opinions in response to you posting yours as part of a discussion. I opened the post with “I think” and used words throughout like can, could, if, and may. I then closed by saying “It will be interesting to watch.”
There is no judgment or condescension in it.
I’m sorry you feel I am often judgmental and condescending and not worth your time to interact with as a fellow fan. We have had good interactions over the years until recently. I’m sorry for my part in it and will move on.
Buck, there’s no reason to carry this over from the previous thread. I understand you’re frustrated from the previous week’s conversation, but we addressed it, cleared the air and were supposed to move on. Tau apologized for his part below – you can disagree with what was said, but there is no need to troll or try to provoke. Let’s work on keeping this a positive community.
But hey…..we may get the
answers via PFF.
I guess my dumb ass knows nothing about the actual results on the field.
Half empty.
HALF EMPTY.
Gadsden won’t get reps cuz Dissly and Conklin.
Where else was I wrong???
If anyone can see a 21-0 4th quarter, please let me know. I want it so badly, but I’ve seen too much to keep my faith.
I can but the Bolts ain’t the 21.
Anyone hear what JJ Watt said about why the Colts offense has been so good? Creativity. What a fucking concept.
“Whenever you can get 5 yards on 1st down every play, you can do whatever the F you want to Ian”
Minter schemed for nothing. What exactly did he game plan to take away? Steichen bent him over in every phase.
Please….Dampen the negativity. Some sensibilities are offended by the truth.
The Colts could score 50 if they want. There’s no excuse for the defense. They are all healthy.
They got two hands on Taylor on that run.
The Vikings are going to have a field day against this OL. Herbert might not make it out of that game.
Steichen treating Minter like a hand puppet.
The Spanos bought a sign-stealing NCAA crew as the answer to solving today’s NFL puzzle.
It absolutely sucks being right.
And FWIW, burn these fucking yellow uniforms.
with Dean in them.
They will pile on some useless stats to make it look better, but when the game was in the balance the Colts thoroughly outplayed us.
Yeah, but maybe the Colts will dink this game away and something weird happens and we come back from down 21.
Gotta get the ball back without giving up points.
lol
And maybe I’ll develop the process to make nuclear fusion accessible.
All things are possible. Except with the Chargers.
How ironic is that bolt in this situation? 😆😆😆
Whatever this game proves, it will prove that Gadsden was a great pick.
Absolutely true. Dude is having a game.
Yep. Loved the pick, still do. Of course, some here said he’d never see reps ahead of Dissly and Conklin.
Let’s see some stats that disprove what’s happening on the field.
On a positive note, the Giants are physically abusing the Donks.
YAY!!!!
Easy on that glass-half-full, Buck. We may not recognize you. /s
I’ll tone it down. 😆😆
Well that wasn’t good. For fucks sake.
Even on the TD (fuck yes!), Herbert has been a little behind his receivers all day. Dude needs to take a breath.