Raiders vs Chargers: Why San Diego Absolutely Must Fire Norv Turner

Last night's loss to the Oakland Raiders on national television had to be the final straw for Norv Turner with the San Diego Chargers, right? I mean, there is no way the Bolts can keep him around after a 4-5 start to what was supposed to be such a big season for the franchise. Enough is enough. Plain and simple, it's time for Turner to go.

In four-and-a-half years at the helm of what is easily one of the NFL's most talented rosters, Turner has a 45-28 record, while also going 3-3 in the playoffs. The Chargers also haven't won a playoff game since the 2008-09 season. That is simply unacceptable when you look at the kind of talent Turner has had to work with.

In the past, people could make excuses for Turner by saying that at the very least he was a very good offensive mind and that he was an excellent play-caller. After last night's 24-17 loss to the Raiders, no one can claim that anymore.

With star quarterback Philip Rivers struggling through the first half of the season and facing a Raiders team that was putting serious pressure on his signal-caller, Turner did the unthinkable. Instead of focusing on trying to establish the run to take some of the heat off of Rivers, he decided instead to call 48 pass plays against just 14 running plays. This despite the fact that the Chargers averaged 5.0 yards per rush on the evening.

Rivers was sacked six times Thursday night, hit another six times and was under near-constant pressure. Instead of trying to run the ball to help him out, Turner kept trying to throw the football. It was mind-boggling to watch. 

Turner's teams have been characterized by their undisciplined play, poor execution and lack of any fire or urgency. Those things were all on display last night. 

It is finally time for the San Diego Chargers to part ways with Turner and end one of the most disappointing eras in the franchise's history.