Not As Close As It Looked....

The Chargers ended up losing by 6 to the Jets (34-28) this past Sunday, but the game wasn't that close. The Jets had a 14-0 lead after their first 2 possessions and the Chargers had 4 total turnovers. A 87 yard kickoff return by Tim Dwight was the big highlight for the Chargers that put the Chargers on the board, but still trailed at the half 17-7.

The Chargers, despite 4 turnovers, could have snuck out a victory with a defensive stop in the fourth quarter. The Chargers trailed 27-21, after scoring with 8:05 left in the game, but the Jets easily moved the ball on a 70 yard drive, highlighted by a 48 yard Pennington to Moss completion, to essentially deal the death-blow.

That Jet drive exposed what the Chargers team of past and still in the present exhibit...the inability to stop a team from moving the ball...especially late in the game. Curtis Martin was able to run early and for good yardage (32-137-3.7) as the Chargers had no containment. Pennington's uniform will not need to be sent to the cleaners for the Chargers were unable to even lay a hand on him. Penningon was able to sit back with no pressure and throw the ball to any of the open targets with little worry about any pass rush.

- Brees was benched after sustaining a concussion and Doug Flutie came in for the final Charger score. Brees did have 2 intercerptions, the first one was totally awful... no Charger player in the vicinity and looked to be thrown directly to the Jet defender. Brees also did fumble early in the fourth quarter, crediting him with 3 of the 4 turnovers. The offensive line did give up a sack but it is evident that with Tomlinson in the backfield teams are respecting the run which is helping the passing game.

- Tomlinson continues to show why he is the best running back in the league. 87 yards and a td on 19 carries and 76 yards receiving on 3 catches.

- Reche Caldwell caught a touchdown, as he continues to exhibit #1 WR skills.

- Eric Parker, although one of the fastest guys on the Chargers squad, fumbled a punt and dropped, what would have been, a touchdown pass late in the fourth...he's still young but these mistakes need to be minimized as much as possible if the Chargers are going to be competitive.

Next up for the Chargers is the Denver Broncos at Mile High. The Chargers have lost 11 of their last 13 meetings with Denver and with Quentin Griffin showing that he can run the ball as good as any veteran back, the Charger defense will need to find a way to limit his production to give the team a chance to win.