Twelve weeks and eight grueling losses later, Philip Rivers is cautiously optimistic about his team's chances the rest of the way.
"We've got to win them all and they've got to lose three of four," Rivers said after a home loss to Atlanta dropped the AFC West leading Broncos' magic number to two. "Can it happen? Sure, but we haven't shown the ability to be able to win four in a row."
In the wreckage that has been the Chargers' 2008 season, there's been little to smile about. Other than solid wins against the Jets and Patriots (who, quixotically—will probably make the playoffs,) San Diego's performance against the Raiders is the one that most reminds fans of previous seasons.
Coming behind from a double-digit deficit on the road, the Chargers handed the Raiders their tenth straight loss in the series and struck Head Coach Lane Kiffin's coffin with its final nail.
On Thursday night, the Chargers and Raiders square off once more, this time before a national audience.
For many Bolts, including Rivers, the game is an opportunity to reassess certain things against a historically tough opponent and begin the road towards 2009.
As I mentioned earlier this season, Rivers' numbers have been deceptive of late, as his fourth quarter turnovers and uncharacteristic inaccuracy in key moments have cost his team dearly.
Against Atlanta last Sunday, he failed to throw a TD pass for the second time in three games, and accounted for a safety after committing intentional grounding in the end zone.
This season has seen him regress in crunch time, and the reasons for it are frankly unclear. Is it his confidence? Is it his health? Is it both?
Rivers has looked shaky in the pocket, seemingly second-guessing his choices and underthrowing receivers in tight spots.
Rivers has not been especially hounded by opposing defenses, being sacked only 19 times in 12 games, which begs the question— is he hiding something from the team's medical staff? Looking uncomfortable in his delivery, Rivers tends to short-hop off his surgically repaired leg shortly before making a throw.
Despite never losing to the Raiders in his tenure, Rivers has been unimpressive historically, throwing four TD's and four INT's, with one fumble over the course of their meetings.
Oakland's defense is ranked eigth against the pass, which means Rivers probably won't get a free pass this week, either.
And now, perhaps in a twist of cruel fate, only two months after the Chargers buried Oakland's head coach and sent the Raiders spiraling to another losing season, the boys in Silver and Black have the chance to do the exact same thing to San Diego.
"We've got a shot," stated Rivers, probably reflecting on the bigger picture of the AFC West race. Well, for the first time in years—the Raiders also have a shot. To beat the Chargers.
Cry me a river.
5 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
gene burleson 7 months ago
Fourth Quarter numbers are bound to go down if.
You are constantly playing from behind and have NO RUN GAME.
It's a lot easier to set back and defend the pass if you know that it's comming.
LT's mopeing on the bench in last years playoff game was just a preview of the whiney
It's not on me attitude he has displayed all year.
Lt> If the "toe" is really better shutup and run like you have a set.
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Eric Gomez 7 months ago
San Diego's offensive line has not been up to scratch this year.
Norv Turner is an awful playcaller. (Offensive genius? Yeah. Right.)
LT has no reliable fullback.
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Nathan Davis 7 months ago
C'mon now "gene"...Do you watch the Chargers' games? It sure doesn't sound like it. L.T. doesn't even occur to Norv in his playcalling. And when he does occur to him, he runs the same stupid play that everyone in the stadium knows is coming and where its going...especially the opposing defense.
Now if you were someone with incredible talent (L.T.), and had been allowed to use that talent in your career up until this season, wouldn't you be a little upset if you were inexplicably written out of the offensive gameplan every week? On top of that, you've been told that the person responsible for that decision is coming back again next year (even though the decision is a huge part of why your team is losing this year)?
The guy led the league in rushing last year...and this year isn't even a part of the gameplan. Even now that L.T.'s healthy. Brilliant move by the "Head Coach" if you ask me. It makes no sense. 14 carries last week. That'll get it done. There's no committment to the running game and that is NOT L.T.'s fault. I'd be just as frustrated as he is.
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Eric Gomez 7 months ago
Yes. I completely agree with you. Norv's got to go.
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gene burleson 7 months ago
Believe Me, I am a big fan of LT, much respect for his abilities, but his attitude lately has been..
like a whipped puppy "I don't know what it is maybe were not as good as a lot of people thought".
Look what happened last night.
That wasn't the puppy that was the DOG.
If LT is a leader he has to lead by example not wimper and complain.
The Raiders come to town and all of a sudden Lt does'nt go down on the first hit.
No shoestring tackles.
He was ready and looking forward to busting someone in the mouth.
Thats LT.
He has always been soft spoken but untill this year he had not played that way.
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