The San Diego Chargers: the Best Team in Football?
by KMR24 on Dec 7, 2009 10:19 PM EST
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PrintMedia outlets such as ESPN claims that the Chargers are going unnoticed (but how is that if the media is talking about them?), but they've always had the attention of the Colts and its fans. We all know that the Bolts have knocked the Colts out of the playoffs in consecutive years leaving a sour taste in Colts fans' mouths. The most recent AFC playoff standings show the Colts (12-0) and Chargers (9-3) as the #1 and #2 seeds, respectively. The Chargers have won seven straight games after starting the season 2-3.
I bring this question up because of a quote from Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback column:
"Best team in football,'' one NFL coach told me Saturday. Don't laugh.
Earlier in his column, Peter King said in so many words that the Bolts "own" the Colts by listing the scores of the last five meetings since 2005 with the Chargers having a 3-2 lead over the Colts. Yes, I know the Chargers have had the Colts' "number" for quite some time, but I have a feeling that things will change if these two squads meet in the playoffs this season.
During the two playoff losses, the Colts were unhealthy and missing two very valuable defensive players: Dwight Freeney in '07 and Gary Brackett in '08. Without those two guys (and a limping Mathis in 2007) the Colts' D made Billy Volek look like a Pro-Bowler without the leagues best pass rushing duo, and Antonio Gates have a field day without an adequate MLB.
The Chargers' 7 game winning streak is second behind the Colts and Saints 12 game winning streak this season. During that time, the Chargers' offense has averaged 31.1 points per game, while the Chargers' defense has given up 15.1 points per game. Pretty impressive, right? It is until you look at who San Diego has played during it's winning streak: the Oakland Raiders (4-8), the Kansas City Chiefs, twice (3-9), and the Cleveland Browns (1-11); while Denver Broncos (8-4), the Philadelphia Eagles (8-4), and the New York Giants (7-5) all have a shot at making the playoffs. The combine record of San Diego's six opponents is 31-41. During the first half of the season, the Colts were given grief for having a cupcake schedule which included the Jacksonville Jaguars (7-5), Miami Dolphins (6-6), and Arizona Cardinals (8-4). Right now the Jaguars are in the driver's seat for a wild-card berth, the Dolphins (along with the Jets) are one game behind the Patriots in the AFC East, and the Cardinals are in cruise control in the NFC West--so much for a cupcake schedule.
Based on the stats of these two teams, it's basically a wash between both offenses that are both in the top 5 in scoring and botttom 5 in rushing yards per game, as well as a wash between both defenses.
So are the Chargers the best team in the NFL? Well, no, but this is coming from a Colts fan. However, I truly believe that San Diego is the team to beat in the AFC with the Patriots' defense being exposed more and more each week, and the Steelers' self-destructing. Even though the Colts are 0-2 against the Bolts in the past two post seasons, I'm a firm believer that the third time's a charm.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.
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Playoffs
Don’t you get the feeling that if we are to go to the Super Bowl, we’re going to have to exorcise the demon of the San Diego Chargers, much like we had to beat the Patriots during our previous run.
by TouchdownMonkey on Dec 7, 2009 10:29 PM EST reply actions
I have that feeling too
It would be a similar exorcism, since the Pats defeated the Colts twice in the playoffs (consecutive seasons) and the Chargers did the same thing, so, hopefully, this season we get to beat them.
"We’re only going to score 17 points? haha...OK" - Tom Brady
by BlueMark1821 on Dec 7, 2009 10:34 PM EST up reply actions
I think so too
Colts will probably have to go through them, but if they take the two seed, that matchup wouldn’t be until the Championship round and the Chargers have their own nasty habit of laying an egg against everyone but the Colts.
I hope so
It’s too bad the Steelers might not get in because it’d be nice to beat them too.
There is nothing scary about the Chargers. Their passing game presents tough matchups and is dangerous, but their D has no chance. None of their wins over the Colts in the past several years have been that impressive either – the two playoff games could easily have been won by the Colts (and should have, really), and the regular season 07 one was the most easily excusable lose-able game I’ve ever seen… and they still were a missed chip shot from winning it. The only game the Chargers really dominated was the 05 win. The Colts made it close before that big long run but the Chargers were really the better team that day. All the others were just the Colts not playing to their abilities. If they meet again this year there’s no reason the Colts shouldn’t stomp them.
100% agreed, Willy
I’d love a playoff hat trick, but it’s not destined thanks to the Colts great record (no WC game) and Pittsburgh maybe not making it.
Also agreed about the 05 reg season win—we just were not prepared for their D, and even then, it was a 3 pt game in the 4th quarter until we stopped LDT on a 1st and 10 at their 20, then he was replaced by Michael “Who?” Turner, who ripped off an 80-yarder to kill us. Ugh, the “good old Colts” D. That was then…
Context is everything and the playoff wins, plus the 07 reg season win, had more extenuating circumstances than a Dickens novel.
Plus, everybody knows the Pats own the Colts. What’d they do, sell us to the Chargers?
KMR24, nicely done and recced.
I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.
Last year
wasnt it the one where it went to OT and we got some BS Penalties called on us?
by sandtiger812 on Dec 13, 2009 8:50 PM EST up reply actions
It was a mixed bag.
A couple of them were legit (like Session’s 15 yarder, IIRC), but it was largely bad refereeing.
Gotta love Ron Winters’ crew.
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Finals suck.
Good point. It is really annoying this year how often the media tends to ignore the cupcake schedules the Chargers and Vikings have had. This year is unique, there is a bottom third of the league that is TERRIBLE. Winning against them just doesn’t count for much.
See, us vs. the Rams. That game wasn’t even fair.
I agree that it would be amazing to crush the Chargers in the offseason with a healthy team. I believe that we can do it.
not just this year
but they are the best team, ever.
Never doubt Peyton Manning, he’ll make you look silly
Joseph Addai is a good running back.
Im a douchebag, an asshole, and I'm rarely right.
hahahahaha
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
Girl, you don't need to be a 10, as long as you have a good smile and smell like bacon.
by Troy Hufford on Dec 7, 2009 11:10 PM EST up reply actions
The chargers are just paper tigers.
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
Girl, you don't need to be a 10, as long as you have a good smile and smell like bacon.
by Troy Hufford on Dec 7, 2009 11:11 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Uh.......
That looks like a paper lion right there.
Yeah, well it's the best I could find on google. Just pretend.
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
Girl, you don't need to be a 10, as long as you have a good smile and smell like bacon.
by Troy Hufford on Dec 8, 2009 10:18 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, yeah, the text kind of looks like a tiger's stripes
And that “mane” ir really just, uh, palm fronds he ran into while hunting down while horses….
I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.
lol there ya go.....
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
Girl, you don't need to be a 10, as long as you have a good smile and smell like bacon.
by Troy Hufford on Dec 8, 2009 12:27 PM EST up reply actions
I have full cofidence that the
Bengals beat the Chargers in round two. Until they beat a good defense (sure, they beat Denver, but Denver also beat them, and the Giants are overrated on defense), I can’t take them seriously. We’ll know alot more about this team in the next two weeks.
EVH+DLR=BFFr........ God I Hope So!!
I'm still scared by the Charges
I have been rooting for them to not make the playoffs…doubt it will happen though
It's only smart to give them respect--they ARE a good team with some very dangerous players
Much as I hate Rivers, he is a good QB. Same for Merriman, Castillo, McNeill, Gates, Sproles, Scifres… crap, can I stop now? Heck, if you are a 95 lb pseudo-celebrity, Merriman’s got you stopped. If you are a facemask, McNeill has your number. But if you are a healthy Colt… no way.
So fear them not—we are better and will be on our own turf.
Fear injuries, maybe.
I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.
I agree with King that they're our biggest threat, but...
Over those 5 games we’re 18 points apart – 6 points a game. To say they own us when practically every game comes down to less than a TD is a little bit over the top. But then again, that’s MSM does to get readers, so there’s that.
"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."
Math: what am I missing?
5 games and 18 pts is about 3.67 per game. 5 games at 6 pts each is 30 total….
I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.
I was thinking the same thing.
That pesky math.
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak.
FiretrUCK the Sparklers!!!!!
I too dabbled in pacifism once...
by waltersobchakbronco on Dec 8, 2009 4:14 PM EST reply actions
The Chargers
I will say that we have had some great battles with the chargers over the years. Last years win on Sunday night was a good one, along with the previous years sunday night game in the rain where a fg was missed by someone whom shall remain nameless ( i like to call him the mole). But seriously, in order for us to beat the chargers this year we have to ensure that we run the ball well. It was ridiculous that we could not move the ball last year when we were pinned to our end zone and we had to pass the ball 1,000 times. Till this day I don’t know why D. Rhodes did not get a chance in that game. I like what Joe is doing this year and anytime he is in the redzone he is automatic. I think our team has changed on many levels. We are starting to bring the heat during third downs and we are also playing RB’s much stronger. I think if Kelvin Hayden comes back strong and our LB’s can hold down their TE we have a great chance of winning this game. That’s if San Diego even makes it to the AFC Championship….
~Bowl or Bust~
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