RIP 2009

It's raining in San Diego. The Chargers did nothing less than choke this game away. Kaeding missed two, usually automatic, field goals. Jackson and Floyd lost their battles going up against smaller DB's. Hardwick snapped the ball over Rivers' head early in the game. The rest of the offensive line jumped offsides (as if they were the away team) and had no success at creating anything resembling a running game. Rivers did make the rookie mistake of forcing the ball backed up in his own end zone and throwing the crucial interception. Gates dropped easy passes right in his hands. Norv did not have a game plan set up that worked against the creative blitzes of the Jets. Even the Fans choked by booing their own team early in the second half when the Chargers still had the LEAD. The pressure beat this team, not the Jets.

All the criticism of this team is right tonight. The Jets', Raiders' and Broncos' fans who love to call San Diego "chokers" are right. Rex Ryan, who wondered out loud if the Chargers are "soft" is right. Those that think Norv is not ready for prime time (his team was not ready tonight) are right.

At what point do the Chargers become the modern Cubs? San Diego fans, no matter how promising the season, are right to feel trepidation every playoff game. Who will get tight and blow it this time around? We are officially cursed. The only question now is what to call it: The San Diego Seizure? The Charger Choke?

The Chargers simply have no excuse. I feel sorry for LT who probably won't be back next year. With Merriman gone as well will this be the pinnacle of this era of the Chargers? AJ will have to work better magic than he has in the past.

The Chargers Will Beat the Jets by at Least 14

San Diego fans are nervous. We've been here before and seen it our slip through our fingers as the Chargers just weren't ready to take advantage of all their talent and cash in on the advantages of a high seed in the playoffs. But things are different this time.

The stars have aligned for this team. Rivers is on another plane as a quarterback. He will take his place next to the Elways, Marinos, Mannings, Farves, and Montanas in the minds of NFL fans during this playoff run. Charger fans, hopefully, have already realized this, but NFL Nation needs to catch up to this reality. He has evolved beyond the possibility of choking in a huge game like this. Norv's gameplan and the Chargers' talented tall receivers will all come together to make the Jets' #1 defense look like the great Packers' defense that went to Arizona last week.

This playoff season may just be LT's last chance and he knows it. LT may have lost a step, but he's going to play the absolute best game he's capable of today and may surprise the Jets and Charger fans with what he's still able to do. LT thinks a lot about the history of the game and his place in it. He will step up and claim his destiny this playoff season:


On the other side of things, the Jets, despite their fat blowhard of a head coach, just aren't ready yet. Just like Colts made the Ravens look like half a football team last night, the Chargers will remind the Jets and the NFL that you can't make much noise in the playoffs while protecting a rookie quarterback. Sanchez is probably still a couple years away (if he ever gets there) from being able to lead a team in the way a quarterback needs to.

San Diego's defense (perhaps the least analyzed aspect of these teams in the run-up to this game) will show they aren't "soft," and force Sanchez to throw the ball; something he's not ready to do on the big stage. One turnover from the Jets could put the game out of reach.

Overall, look for Rivers to spread the ball around (like always) in the short passing game against the blitzing jets. Gates, Floyd, Naanee, Sproles, and LT will all make significant contributions. Jackson may be forced into the roll of decoy. The Chargers will score points on many of their drives and Rivers will avoid the costly turnover. On defense, the Chargers will allow the Jets to move the ball at times, but stiffen up in the red zone, forcing Sanchez to make some devastating mistakes.

San Diego 27, Jets 13 (And an embarrassed Coach Ryan learns a little humility)

J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets!

The Jets looked great on Saturday in beating up the Bengals. Their defense completely discombobulated Carson Palmer and their run game controlled the clock and the line of scrimmage.

The Chargers should be worried that a pumped up team with a lot of momentum is coming into town. But isn't that the way the bye week works? While you're resting and getting healthy, whoever comes to town is getting early playoff experience and momentum.

The Bengals fell behind and had to throw the ball to catch up. Their creative blitzing front gave Carson Palmer fits. The Bengals didn't appear to have a short passing game to deal with the blitz. For the Chargers, Rivers, the offensive line, and the receivers have dealt with pressure and blitzing all season. The same strategy, if employed again by the Jets, simply won't work against San Diego. When the blitz comes, Rivers will check down and find the open guy.

The Jets have the number one rushing defense? Do the Chargers care about running the ball anyway? The run game is nothing more than a place setter for San Diego. The increased run production of late has more to do with the dominance of the passing game and running out the clock than much actual improvement.

Last weekend the dominant running and strong defensive teams (excepting the crazy Cards-Packers game) seemed to have the upper hand. This playoff season will put to the test the theory that a strong running game is a necessity. The Chargers will not try to pound the ball against the Jets 46 defense.

On the other side of the ball, the Jets will try to pound the ball against the Chargers. They need to protect rookie Mark Sanchez from making mistakes and probably (given the arrogant Rex Ryan) have convinced themselves the Chargers are "soft." New York will probably be able to move the ball in between the twenties. The question is, what happens in the red zone?

If the Chargers can hold up on the goal line when Brandon Siler and Tim Dobbins are in the game at the same time, sticking people on the goal line and forcing the Jets to kick some field goals, they will win the game.

Other keys to victory? On the offensive side of the ball, San Diego simply has to weather the early storm. Even though this is a road game, I'm guessing the Jets' defense will come out with extreme intensity, blitzes and general mad-dog craziness. If Rivers can come out and simply take what is given, not hold onto the ball too long (sacks/fumbles) and avoid throwing stupid picks, the Chargers can settle in and do what they do. If Rivers comes out early and tries to do too much? We all saw last weekend how an early mistake can set the tone for a whole game. If the Chargers come out and are forced to punt the first two series? That's actually a good sign.

I'll have more analysis before the game.

Chargers vs. Redskins

This game only matters for the Chargers in the sense that they play the fine line between keeping the starters fresh, avoiding injury, and resting those that are already injured. In general, the sense of timing is more important for the offense, both the line and passing game than the defense. I would expect Rivers, Gates, LT, Vincent Jackson, Sproles, and the starting offensive line all to stay in for the first half, showing the sharpness of execution they've maintained over the course of this winning streak.

On the defensive side, anyone who is even a little banged up should sit. This should include Merriman, Phillips, Jammer, Bennett and any of the defensive tackles in the rotation that need rest.

Washington is a flawed team, but they have a good defense and may be motivated to finish on a winning note. This might be their Super Bowl.

Even with the second string for the Chargers in for much of the game, if the Chargers come out sharp, they should win this game. This game means nothing playoff-wise, but I think losing would put a bad taste in everyone's mouth, incrementally slowing the steamroller of momentum built up over the last ten weeks. The Chargers already have enough of a momentum challenge in dealing with the bye week, a loss would just add to that.

This game may come down how sharp Billy Volek is in the second half. Unless the Chargers are already blowing out the Redskins, look for Norv to open up the playbook a bit for Volek, giving him the chance to show what he can do in the down field passing game. I predict the strong running of Mike Tolbert and a few key big plays to third-string tight end Kris Wilson will be the difference in this one.

Chargers 27, Redskins 17

Championship Form

Another week and another huge performance for the San Diego Chargers. In dominating the Titans, the Chargers showed they are ready for the playoffs. The worst part about earning the first round bye and earning it early is that the team has to wait three weeks to play their next real game. Coaching decisions become crucial in drawing the fine line between resting players and keeping that edge for the first playoff game.

Who do you play against the Redskins? How hard do you practice?

As for Friday's game, Vince Young seemed to single-handedly give the game up for the Titans. His interception and fumble in the first half were the decisive factors in building the Chargers' lead. Chris Johnson was running on the Chargers as well as he has on everyone else. Young was asked to complete a few strategic passes and simply was not up to the task. He scramble and find the one open receiver. He can run for the first down. Ask him to stay in the pocket, survey the defense and make the right decision? He's not there yet.

Shaun Phillips made a huge play to strip the ball from Young in the second quarter. Young has always carried the ball a bit loosely, going back to his Texas days. Phillips is the best in the league at swiping that ball away. Crucial little talents like this usually end up making the difference in the playoffs. Let's hope so.

The Chargers were able to run the ball somewhat effectively. LT and the line, while not dominating, are getting into some kind of sync. There are holes opening up. Nick Hardwick looked like he hasn't missed a beat in his 12 game absence. The pass blocking--especially picking up the blitz--looks like some of the best in the league. Rivers has time.

He's using that time as well as any quarterback in the league. The national media has noticed how incredibly difficult it is to defend the Chargers. The receivers, the scheme and the play calling are all just too good for most defenses to handle.

On the defensive side of the ball, the defensive backs are turning out to be a strength of this team. This is huge because, as everyone knows, the road to the Super Bowl will go through Indianapolis. Eric Weddle is just a smart player who makes great reads and puts himself in the right spot on both run and pass plays. Kevin Ellison and Paul Oliver have improved each week sharing the other safety spot. Ellison may end up being San Diego's next Rodney Harrison in couple years. The corner play has been absolutely solid.

Watching today's scores, it looks like someone else may be "peaking at the right time": New England. They came out and just destroyed Jacksonville. While Indianapolis may not want to see the Chargers, does San Diego want to see New England come to town? That may just bring back some bad memories. However, what could be sweeter that beating the Patriots and the Colts on the way to the Super Bowl?

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d81540fc5/AFC-playoff-picture

Another Huge Game: Chargers vs. Titans

The Chargers will battle to control their destiny in attaining a first round bye as they head to Memphis to face the infamous Titans tomorrow. As everyone knows, both teams are "red hot" and motivated to win this game. Many of the NFL experts are picking Tenessee to win and be the current 7-7 team to separate from the pack and make the playoffs. Vegas has the Titans favored by three.

So despite all the recent success, the Chargers are once again the underdog. Hopefully the lack of respect is motivating them on this short week of practice and game planning late in the season. This game will be close and may come down to who wants it more as both teams (all teams) are banged up at this point in the season.

The biggest injury of the game is linebacker Keith Bullock, who is out for the season after last week. He is the Titans' leading tackler and just an absolute beast in the middle of the field. Outside linebacker David Thorton is also out. Two rookies will make their first NFL starts in their stead.

Strangely, the Chargers' running game will actually be a big factor in this game. With these important defensive players out for the Titans, San Diego should try to control the game more than they have in the past, keeping the amazing Chris Johnson off the field. Eating clock time may be the only way to keep Johnson from having a huge game.

The passing game should work as well for San Diego. The Titans have been getting burned all year, but playing in the cold on their home turf should make them tougher to throw on than the Chargers might guess.

On defense, San Diego needs to focus (as every other team has tried) all its energies on stopping Chris Johnson. While San Diego's run defense has not been great this year, its athletic linebackers and DB's should have a better chance than most teams of cutting off the field and limiting big plays. The Chargers are more vulnerable to power running games than speedy ones.

Shawne Merriman, while not coming up with many tackles or any sacks lately, has actually become a more and more disruptive force each week, cutting off the outside on sweeps and pushing offensive linemen into the face of the quarterback. He is motivated by the dirty play of the Titans that blew out his knee two years ago and should have a big game.

Vince Young has shown steady improvement this year, but he's still no Dan Marino. The Chargers need to limit his scrambling and rushing ability, but Young is not good enough yet to beat them with a precision passing game. Even in last week's big win against Miami, Young only completed 50% of his passes.

If the Chargers have had enough time to prepare well and recover from last week's game they should win this one. If they do, they will REALLY get the attention of the national media going into the playoffs.

Chargers 31, Titans 24

Championship Performance

The Chargers met an emotional Bengals team yesterday that mirrored San Diego in many ways: its opportunism, refusal to give up and solid play from big-name and no-name players. San Diego displayed its supreme confidence and force of will that had commentators Jim Nance and Phil Sims talking about that "special energy" that propels a team to the Super Bowl. You couldn't help but notice it in the inspired play of the Steelers at the end of the season and in the playoffs last year. The Chargers have that magic.

While the Chargers were the superior team, the game was close for a few reasons. Carson Palmer played his best game, making some brilliant throws under pressure. His receivers backed him up with stellar catches in traffic and on the sidelines.

The crucial play that kept the game from getting away from the Bengals was the tipped pass by Antonia Gates that turned into an interception, leading to a Bengal score. At 24-13 in the third quarter before that interception. If the Chargers continue down the field and score, the game is out of reach. However, like the Chargers, the Bengals were determined at able to capitalize on that mistake.

In the Bengals final drive of the game that led to the field goal that tied the game, Ron Rivera became extra conservative, fearing a long pass to Ochocinco for a touchdown. The absolute lack of pressure on Palmer allowed the Bengals to easily move down the field for the go ahead score.

Malcolm Floyd deserves special recognition for getting smacked in the grill on the first drive of the game, then coming back to make the crucial catch that set up Kaeding for the game winning score.

Rivers, despite one big mistake, was again brilliant. The combination of Rivers' field sense, Norv's play calling scheme, and the athleticism of the Chargers' tall receivers is unbeatable right now.

I know the Union Tribune folks are worried about the Titans this Friday, as the they should be, however, I think perhaps the Titans should be more worried about the Chargers. It's official, the Chargers have the best shot at the Super Bowl they've had since '94 when they actually went.

Great game.