The Charger have that "look" about them don't they?

[RS12]

I bet the Colts dont want to see em.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I think the Chargers have a really solid chance of making the Superbowl.

 

[mldardy]

Recent history tells me going into the playoffs on a winning streak is not a good thing or getting that bye. THe Chargers did this about 3 years when they wen 14-2 and lost their first game. It just seems like that momentum is broken for a lot of teams like that. We'll see.

 

[Charged Up]

I really think they're going to the Super Bowl. They have the QB, a solid defense: especially against the run, the experience, a good run game, a VERY good coach who's undefeated in December as their coach....I don't personally LIKE Rivers, he's a cocky jerk IMO. But that team looks rugged and ready right now. They've knocked out the Colts the last two years and I think they can do it again. What about the NFC? It's completely up in the air, BUT I think any could win it: Minny, N.Orleans, Arizona,Philthy,or yes, Dallas: Green Bay has too many holes on defense and their OLine IMO. What say you?

Of course we have that look, and I was telling you guys that last week.

I hate to sound like a redundant homer but seriously what team in the league is going to stop us? Even when Rivers has a 'bad' game (i.e. turns the ball over 1 or more times) we still find a way to build a double digit lead at one point. We keep losing players to injury and continue to showcase our depth.

Don't be fooled by yesterday's final score either. We had a 10 point lead and let Cincy back into the game because of the fluke INT that bounced of Gates. If not for that play we win by at least 13 points.

Congrats to you guys though...I'll admit I'm impressed even though I've said the Saints are overrated all along. But it does validate our win over you guys in Dallas. Hopefully we meet again in Feb....

 

[Charged Up]

You mean that "I'm a hick" look.

More like the 'I'm 17-0 in December and about to win my first championship look'

 

[Charged Up]

I'm worried about Pittsburgh making the playoffs....The Chargers do look dominant, but what if they have to go to into a cold weather situation??

The best the Steelers can finish is 9-7, and that probably won't be enough for the wildcard because Cincy is still winning that division by default unless they lose out and Bal wins out.

There's no way we face a cold weather team this year in the playoffs unless it's in SD, because with the #2 seed locked up we'll get the AFC Championship in SD if Indy is one and done in the playoffs. But I really want to be the team that beats them on their home field and I hope they are still undefeated as well.

 

[Charged Up]

The Chargers dont have a "solid" run defense nor are they a good pass Defense. They're a middle of the pack defense that doesnt force the turnovers to overcome it.

Part of the reason we are a 'middle of the pack' defense is because we build big leads on teams early, or by the 4th quarter like we have during our 9 game win streak. So the stats are misleading to say the least.

Also considering the teams we are likely going to face in the playoffs are all pass first teams (i.e. Indy, NE, etc) I'm not too worried.

Heck we went against two great rushing teams the last few weeks in Dal and Cin and did just fine.

The bottom line is teams still have to stop our offense and based on what I've seen the last few months no team in the NFL is capable of doing that, especially in the clutch.

 

[Charged Up]

I am not so sold on their defense..while their stats look good...when I watch them, it looks like teams move the ball on them pretty easily

Again - we don't need a top 10 defense to win a championship, no team does assuming they have the offense and the mindset to close out teams and win games in tough circumstances whether on the road (in Dallas) or facing an emotional charged team playing for the #2 seed (Cincy).

Also it all boils down to the fact that no team in the NFL has a defense that can stop our offense even on a ho hum day, so it's a moot point in talking about our defensive shortcomings.

 

[Charged Up]

its a passing league.

if you stop the pass you can win ballgames. if you cant stop the pass you wont win.

san fransisco has an incredible run defense....

so what they suck.

they have an incredible run offense too.

so what they suck.

if you cant pass the ball and cant defend the pass in todays NFL you are a .500 team or a sub par team. that is all.

The Jets are another example of this.

They have a great rushing attack and they certainly can stop the run. But what's held them back is QB play and refusing to bench a struggling rookie QB.

The Chargers can pass the ball with the best of them and everybody knows a SD/IND AFC championship game is going to be a shootout affair, but we certainly have the better secondary which could decide the game.

 

[AmericasTeam31]

Part of the reason we are a 'middle of the pack' defense is because we build big leads on teams early, or by the 4th quarter like we have during our 9 game win streak. So the stats are misleading to say the least.

Also considering the teams we are likely going to face in the playoffs are all pass first teams (i.e. Indy, NE, etc) I'm not too worried.

Heck we went against two great rushing teams the last few weeks in Dal and Cin and did just fine.

The bottom line is teams still have to stop our offense and based on what I've seen the last few months no team in the NFL is capable of doing that, especially in the clutch.

Sorry, I don't buy this arguement for a second... You should really go look at the game information on some of these games against the good teams. I'm not talking about K.C. or Cle... I am talking Philly, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, NY, or Cincy... Look at the drive charts for each game against these teams (might want to take a look at the Cleveland game while you are at it). The Philly game ended in a blowout, but it was 14-6 at halftime... there is not alot of "garbage time" in that game. In fact they scored on 3 of their first 4 possessions of the second half...

And blowing a 10 point lead in the fourth quarter is not a good thing, even if you do win in the end.... i.e. Cincinatti That is hardly closing someone out...

 

[Charged Up]

Recent history tells me going into the playoffs on a winning streak is not a good thing or getting that bye. THe Chargers did this about 3 years when they wen 14-2 and lost their first game. It just seems like that momentum is broken for a lot of teams like that. We'll see.

This is another concern I have in the back of my mind. That's why I wouldn't necessarily be devestated if we lose against the Titans or Commanders.

But then again, horrendous coaching and bonehead mistakes by players no longer on this team cost us that 2006 playoff game against the Patriots. I do believe this is a more mature team that knows how to win. Also it's the reason why Schottenheimer was dismissed. You don't see many coaches that win 14 regular season games fired.....

 

[Zman5]

I know zman...he's a tool....but he's good. Man, he REALLY is a tool isn't he?

Yeh I agree. He is a dork but he's good.

 

[Zman5]

More like the 'I'm 17-0 in December and about to win my first championship look'

Don't be so sure yet because you have this guy as your HC. He's doing better now but he has known to choke as well as a HC. Don't be surprised to see this look in the near future.

 

[Aikbach]

I think the Bengals and Chargers will be the AFC Championship matchup.

the NFC is tossup, anything can happen but in all likelihood it will be the Saints and someone else.

 

[bayarealightning]

You guys talk about Folk's missed FG against N.O. with 2:00 min. left and say that you controlled the game, and we did the same to the Cowboys (we made our FG) to go up by 10 with less than 2:00 min. to go. We have a finesse defense, but we stopped you on the goal line. Cincy drove on us but settled for FGs in the red zone (1 TD). We beat Philly, the Giants, and the 'Boys to be 3-0 in the NFC Beast. We just beat another division leader in Cincy who was playing an emotional game because of the death of Chris Henry.

When we lost to Balt., Norv was still trying to get the running game going, and once he let Rivers loose, we came back and had a chance to win the game. On 4th and 2 in the red zone, when Rivers had thrown for over 400 yards, Norv ran Sproles off of the RG and we got stuffed. Norv took the ball out of Rivers' hand. He will not make that mistake any longer. That is still a loss though. This team is still 6-1 on the road.

As long as we have Philip Rivers at QB, I like our chances!

 

[CATCH17]

Don't be so sure yet because you have this guy as your HC. He's doing better now but he has known to choke as well as a HC. Don't be surprised to see this look in the near future.

Norv has an impressive resume and the only thing missing is a Superbowl appearance.

The guy would be an all time great coach had he not took the worst jobs in the entire league at the time.

He is my favorite playcaller of all time.

 

[CATCH17]

You guys talk about Folk's missed FG against N.O. with 2:00 min. left and say that you controlled the game, and we did the same to the Cowboys (we made our FG) to go up by 10 with less than 2:00 min. to go. We have a finesse defense, but we stopped you on the goal line. Cincy drove on us but settled for FGs in the red zone (1 TD). We beat Philly, the Giants, and the 'Boys to be 3-0 in the NFC Beast. We just beat another division leader in Cincy who was playing an emotional game because of the death of Chris Henry.

When we lost to Balt., Norv was still trying to get the running game going, and once he let Rivers loose, we came back and had a chance to win the game. On 4th and 2 in the red zone, when Rivers had thrown for over 400 yards, Norv ran Sproles off of the RG and we got stuffed. Norv took the ball out of Rivers' hand. He will not make that mistake any longer. That is still a loss though. This team is still 6-1 on the road.

As long as we have Philip Rivers at QB, I like our chances!

You guys are good and have just as much of a chance as winning the Superbowl as anyone.

But dont start thinking you are unbeatable because you're not. No team in this league is.

You do have 1 heck of a team though and I hope we see you guys in a rematch.

 

[Cover 2]

They have a terrible running game and one of the worst run defenses.

And someday, people will realize that those things don't matter very much.

I doubt it. Cliche's trump facts.

 

[Zman5]

Norv has an impressive resume and the only thing missing is a Superbowl appearance.

The guy would be an all time great coach had he not took the worst jobs in the entire league at the time.

He is my favorite playcaller of all time.

He had same issues in Washington that Wade has in BigD. He was criticized for the same things Wade is being criticized for. There was an incident where he would have one of his assistants (Robiski?) give pre-game speeches and few others where he had his assistant coaches do all the disciplining. He was pegged as being a great X and O guy and a great OC but too nice to be a good HC. He wasn't a motivator or a good leader.

Sound familiar?

 

[bayarealightning]

You guys are good and have just as much of a chance as winning the Superbowl as anyone.

But dont start thinking you are unbeatable because you're not. No team in this league is.

You do have 1 heck of a team though and I hope we see you guys in a rematch.

That wasn't the point of my post. I am just amazed at the posts that claim that the Chargers are soft.