Chargers Week 1 Victory

The Chargers have already proven me wrong... prior to the season beginning I saw no improvement on either side of the ball and predicted a winless season. The Chargers then preceded to go out and win in Houston...obviously not an upper-echelon team, but a season-opening win on the road can only be a positive for the team's confidence and overall attitude.

A big reason for the victory was the Drew Brees came through. In his 3rd year as the starter for the Chargers, this was the most confident he has looked, made good reads and because Tomlinson was in the backfield, it made the Texans always honor the run and thus open the passing game up...which happened last season, but Brees and the receivers never were able to exploit the opportunities. Tight End Antonio Gates had a fantastic day, 8 catches and 120 plus yards. Young receivers Caldwell and Parker both had touchdown catches and respectable days.

The defense, which in the recent past, has been notorious for failing to stop teams from scoring, especially late in the game...or when protecting a lead, was able to keep the Texans from scoring in the 4th on 2 series' to preserve the lead...helped with Texan miscues and turnovers, but regardless a good way for the defense to begin the 2004-05 campaign.

This week the Jets roll into San Diego. Many of the major sport writers are writing off the Chargers' week 1 victory as nothing special and the 'real' Chargers will show up shortly, if not this week against the Jets. I know that the Chargers have already proven me wrong once and will be more than happy to have them continue to do so... I still have my reservations about Marty Schottenheimer, the entire defense, the offensive line and the wide receivers and the week one victory over the Texans...although gleefully accepted...did nothing to alter my concerns in those areas.