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When the Chargers went 4-8, I was stunned, truly stunned. A team with their kind of talent was just playing horribly, and I believed that they were over and done with...

The Chargers Are Ready For a Deep Playoff Run

by James Williamson (Columnist)

19

348 reads

Opinion

December 29, 2008


When the Chargers went 4-8, I was stunned, truly stunned. A team with their kind of talent was just playing horribly, and I believed that they were over and done with. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson did not have the spark he once had, whether it was due to injury or age.

Quarterback Philip Rivers, however, really impressed me. For a team that is thought to rely solely on the running game, it was throwing a lot of touchdowns. Philip Rivers threw for more touchdowns in a single season than Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts did. Fouts had 33 touchdowns with a team that had a passing attack of another world at that time. Philip Rivers comes in and throws 34 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions compared to Fout's 17.

Philip Rivers was not even selected to the Pro Bowl, which shows how much this Chargers team was seen as a failure because LaDainian Tomlinson was not tearing up the field.

In a stunning rout of the Denver Broncos, the Chargers make the playoffs three years in a row, and I don't think that they are leaving so soon.

This team is much better than their record. What I saw on Sunday Night Football last night is a team that is ready to do the unthinkable. End San Diego's championship drought.

I saw a LaDainian Tomlinson at his elite level again. I saw a Philip Rivers that could release a deep ball accurately and powerfully. I saw a team that is determined to prove everyone under the sun in the United States wrong.

I think they will.

I'm making a Super Bowl pick, that I may or may not regret. My pick for the AFC is the San Diego Chargers. I think they will run over the Colts next week, and they will take it from there. I hope they do. I can't think of a greater athlete in the NFL that does not have a Super Bowl ring other than LaDainian Tomlinson.

Tomlinson's Alma mater, Texas Christian University, won a bowl game in San Diego a few days ago, and Tomlinson was there cheering them on to victory. I think that their victory has added gasoline to his fire. Combine him with other running backs Darren Sproles, and Jacob Hester, this team has a superb running game.

The Chargers have been burned so many times. Two years ago they go 14-2 and are upset by the New England Patriots in the first round. Last year they lose to the Patriots because of failure in the red zone, and the fact that Philip Rivers was playing on two injured legs. This team has had nothing but struggle especially since Pro Bowl linebacker Shawn Merriman had to go on injured reserve.

Then the takeaway defense went away itself. After having a +24 in turnovers, they have a +4, and one of the worst pass defenses in the league. They even fired the defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell during the season. The new one, Ron Rivera, has done a much better job helping this team win the division.

They deal with a miracle pass in week one, and a blown call in week two. After constant battling they become 4-8, and not one of the games they lost was a blow out. The highest margin of loss was nine points to the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo.

Head Coach Norv Turner has to make a deep run in playoffs if he expects to keep his job. This team barely made it in on an 8-8 record, and a gift like that cannot be squandered.

This team is much better than that, and I think we will see why in the playoffs.

Author Poll

How far will the Chargers make in playoffs?

  • Lose in wild card
  • Lose in divisional
  • Lose in championship game
  • Lose Super Bowl
  • Win Super Bowl
vote to see results
Author Poll Results

How far will the Chargers make in playoffs?

  • Lose in wild card

    12.1%

  • Lose in divisional

    4.5%

  • Lose in championship game

    10.6%

  • Lose Super Bowl

    10.6%

  • Win Super Bowl

    62.1%
  • Total votes: 66
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19 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. robert allred 6 months ago

    I don't know man, that would be one hell of a story! I just don't see them beating the hottest team in the NFL. The Colts look like the real deal.

    I'm not a big fan of Rivers, though I respect his game. On the other hand, I love me some LT, and would love to see him get a ring.

    If an 8-8 team is going to win a Super Bowl, this wacky year is the year to do it!!

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  2. Gups Phoo 6 months ago

    First of all, the Chargers' record would have been 9-7 instead of 8-8 if Ed Hochuli hadn't robbed them in Week 2. And then there were 3 other games that they lost by a total of 6 points, all of which were lost in the last minute. In fact, they did not lose one game this season by double figures, despite the fact that LT was playing hurt until the final 2 games. I'm not saying the Chargers did not deserve their 7 losses (Week 2 excluded), but they are clearly not as bad as their record indicates.

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  3. Jim Johnson 6 months ago

    If Cutler was the Chargers quarterback, they would have clinched the division many games ago. Rivers is the ultimate jerk

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    • Mike Meadows 6 months ago

      Cutler is the reason the broncos arent in the playoffs if he would make better decisions like rivers he would have more tds and less ints in 150 less pass attempts like rivers, you DOUCHE

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    • James Williamson 6 months ago

      Calm down both of you. Cutler is a good quarterback, but I think Rivers is better, and Cutler almost got the Broncos to playoffs, but things happen. You have to move on and wait for next season.

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  4. Victor Harris 6 months ago

    i like sd to win 1 in the playoffs but they not runnin deep. LT looked like he woke up but it was against DEN lol. and the colts are overrated in 08. peyton's a choke artist. every game in the nfl is tough, but the colts werent playin the best all yr.

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  5. Isaac Barrow 6 months ago

    I hope you're wrong, but I can't deny this is a dangerous Charger team.

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  6. Raider Card Addict 6 months ago

    There's two things to be mentioned in this article.
    First of all, don't hang a lot of weight on the Chargers' win over Denver. In the mild west, you had two teams trying to win, one was 8-7, one was 7-8. Denver had a defense that was almost MIA, for most of the second half of the year. How bad was their defense? Oakland beat them, in Denver, something San Diego didn't do(ahem, Hochuli reasons).
    Secondly, San Diego had a lot of luck, to win out. Against KC, what are the odds, of scoring a TD, recovering the onside kick, scoring again, and then facing a FG that could end your season? Go buy a lottery ticket. But that was what happened....and more than a few people thought KC would put the fork in San Diego's season. But that's what makes luck a factor, no matter how good the teams are. If you're lucky, you can beat the good teams.
    However, looking at this game coming up against the Colts....I wouldn't put money on it, simply because of the way the Colts have played these last few weeks. Indy, for that matter, hasn't lost a game since October.

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    • James Williamson 6 months ago

      I know it will be difficult RDA. But the Colts rush defense is just as bad as the Chargers pass defense. So it could come down to the most points easily.

      The thing I noticed from last year was the Colts were almost relaxed. They already had their super bowl rings, and the Chargers were hungry. Peyton Manning may always be hungry, but a lot of those guys may not be, and that is an advantage for the Chargers.

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    • Raider Card Addict 6 months ago

      Actually James, the one matchup that would be fun to watch, would be the Chargers vs the Titans, should it ever materialize. or the Ravens. If the Ravens defense slams the door like it has, going to be interesting to see who can break through it.

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    • James Williamson 6 months ago

      Chargers murdered the Titans last year. I would love to see if it happens again.

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    • Raider Card Addict 6 months ago

      Actually James, the one matchup that would be fun to watch, would be the Chargers vs the Titans, should it ever materialize. or the Ravens. If the Ravens defense slams the door like it has, going to be interesting to see who can break through it.

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  7. John Parker 6 months ago

    if they beat the colts they are defiently in for a long playoff run...
    i just don't see them beating the colts

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    • James Williamson 6 months ago

      That will be the biggest challenge, hands down. Since you have a picture of Manning being attacked by vicious bears, then I assume you are with San Diego?

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