Brees: Lessons from loss could help in playoffs

Full Story Here: "``I think a lot of guys woke up this morning and realized they don't like that feeling,'' quarterback Drew Brees said Monday. ``It's good to have that winning expectation, to go on streaks like that, where you feel like every time you step on the field you're going to win, and we still feel like that.''

San Diego (11-4) clinched the AFC West a week earlier, so the loss didn't have the sting it could have.

But the Chargers, heading to the playoffs for the first time since 1995, have plenty to learn from this one."

A Chargers loss never looked so good

Full Story Here: "The San Diego Chargers were cruising along with an eight game win streak until they faced the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. They lost the game but have shown that they can learn from their mistakes, as they have in the past.

Prior to Sunday, the Chargers swept through November and most of December with their last loss coming on the road in Atlanta way back on Oct. 17. They realized back then that a full sixty minutes was needed to be victorious in the NFL"

Chargers: Manning record no big deal, as long as Bolts beat Colts

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The San Diego Chargers know the odds are pretty good they'll be part of NFL history on Sunday.

When Peyton Manning threw just one touchdown pass for the Indianapolis Colts last weekend, it meant that some Chargers defensive back probably will be the unlucky soul who gets burned for Manning's 48th TD pass, which would tie Dan Marino's NFL record set 20 years ago, and maybe his 49th, which would break the mark.

Most Chargers say they can live with that as long as they find a way to upset the Colts when the two division champions, both 11-3, meet Sunday in Indianapolis."

Chargers In The Pro Bowl

Full Story Here: "Fourteen games into the NFL season, the San Diego Chargers are getting some of their due. When Pro Bowl rosters were announced, three Chargers made the roster and three more were named alternates."

San Diego Chargers -- AFC West Champs

Full Story Here: CLEVELAND – Mike Goff walked off the snow-covered field with both arms up, flexing his biceps to no one in particular. Donnie Edwards jogged toward the tunnel, then stopped to make snow angels near the end zone. Steve Foley entered the locker room wearing his helmet, then emerged with a different type of hat. It read:

Division Champions.

2004

AFC West.

Preparing for the Rest

Full Story Here: "The Chargers will win the AFC West this season. A win over the Browns, arguably the worst team in the NFL right now, would all but make it official. With a win in Cleveland this weekend, the only way the Chargers could lose the division is if Denver wins their last three games, San Diego loses their remaining two games, and the Broncos make up 43 points worth of point differential, which would then become the applicable tie-breaker."

Chargers at Browns preview

Full Story Here: "The San Diego Chargers travel to Cleveland to face the Browns this weekend - braving the cold for the first time this year. That will be a challenge for the warm weather team, even if the Browns are not."

Chargers LB Edwards among NFL Players of Week

Full Story Here: "NEW YORK (Ticker) - San Diego Chargers linebacker Donnie Edwards, who made another big fourth-quarter play, was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week on Wednesday.

Edwards returned his second interception of the game 30 yards for a touchdown with a 4:09 remaining in the fourth quarter to snap a tie and lift the Chargers to a 31-24 victory over Tampa Bay."

Riding the wave

Full Story Here: Now that the Chargers have 10 wins with three games left in the regular season, it’s tempting to run through the various scenarios that would lead to the team’s first playoff berth since 1995. But if you think that’s what Marty Schottenheimer is doing, guess again.

The Chargers’ head coach, a former English major, isn’t one to break down numbers and figure out probabilities. Ultimately, he knows if the Bolts win out, everything else will take care of itself.

Donnie on the spot

Full Story Here: Plenty of times Donnie Edwards has enjoyed special moments in an NFL career that includes playoff seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and a Pro Bowl trip with the Chargers in 2002, his first homecoming season in San Diego.

But the kid from National City who grew up watching and celebrating with the Air Coryell Chargers has never enjoyed a moment quite as special as his 30-yard interception return for a touchdown that was the decisive play in Sunday’s 31-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Qualcomm Stadium.

SignOnSanDiego.com > San Diego Chargers -- Scifres looks like average guy, punts like Ray Guy

Full Story Here: "Sling a backpack over Mike Scifres' shoulder and you half expect him to head for biology class. He is that unpretentious, that ordinary in his appearance and attitude. He is the guy who delivers your pizza, if not for that cannon that doubles as a leg.

It makes perfect sense. In the improbable journey that is a Chargers season of so many exceptional individual efforts, the most significant might be a second-year punter who spent last season strictly as an apprentice to Darren Bennett."

Win, and Chargers may be in playoffs

Full Story Here: "When it comes to the playoffs, the Chargers will acknowledge only one thing: They're in the best of positions.

'We don't have to wait for anyone to lose,' linebacker Donnie Edwards said yesterday. 'If we just win these next three games, we definitely win our division.

'That's what we want. That's what we've been working hard for, back in the offseason, back in training camp and throughout this year. I just hope we can continue and take care of business like we want to.'"

Chargers rookies disprove truism

Full Story Here: "It's one of the oldest adages in the NFL book, right in there with 'On any given Sunday' and 'We're just taking 'em one game at a time.'

This one isn't quite as familiar, but anyone who has spent any time around an NFL team has heard someone say how it's more difficult for a rookie to succeed on the offensive line than at any other position except quarterback."

Imagine if Tomlinson were actually near 100 percent

Full Story Here: "LaDainian Tomlinson is not himself. Kindly disregard any claims to the contrary.

There's been a subtle downshift in his stride, a passing gear lost to a tender groin. In the terminology of his fellow Texans, LT has what is known as a slight hitch in his giddy-up.

Lucky for him he happens to be great."

Cleaning up a mess of their own making

Full Story Here: Now how would a wine connoisseur judge this particular bottle of Chargers-Bucs? "A bit hard on the palate, with a hint of iron, flint, scrambled eggs and banana peel, but a surprisingly sweet finish. Drinkable, but do so right away. Don't lay it down."

This was not vintage 2004 Chargers, what took place yesterday in Mission Valley – it hasn't been simple or easy for a month. San Diego's 31-24 victory was difficult, as expected against a desperate Tampa Bay team with some skill, but hardly crisp and far too sloppy for a team with playoff aspirations.

Edwards unwraps Foley's slow rap

Full Story Here: "From the south sideline at Qualcomm Stadium, Drew Brees watched it all unfold.

He watched Donnie Edwards drop into coverage, watched him read Brian Griese's eyes, watched him break on the ball and watched him make the interception that 30 yards later would give the Chargers yet another victory.

Like few others inside the packed stadium, the Chargers quarterback knew exactly how Griese, his counterpart with Tampa Bay, had been victimized."

Penalty on field goal trips up Buccaneers

Full Story Here: "'Poof!' Like that, the air went out of a football team.

The team was the Tampa Bay Bucs, who had to have believed they had taken a lead over the Chargers in the second period yesterday on a 20-yard Jay Taylor field goal. The points had been posted on the Qualcomm Stadium scoreboard for 65,858 to see: 'Tampa Bay 10, San Diego 7.'"

Chargers report card week 14: Tampa Bay

Full Story Here: "The San Diego Chargers got one step closer to living the dream on Sunday with a 31-24 victory over Tampa. It was the defense that came up with two huge turnovers late in the game to give the Bolts the win."

Yahoo! Sports - NFL - Chargers can clinch long-sought playoff berth on Sunday

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- It's been a long time since either the San Diego Chargers or coach Marty Schottenheimer were talking playoff possibilities this late in the season.

The unimaginable can become reality on Sunday for the Chargers, who can win the AFC West based on two scenarios, or at least clinch a playoff berth under two other scenarios."

Yahoo! Sports - NFL - Chargers 31, Buccaneers 24

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Whether it was at UCLA or in the NFL, Donnie Edwards always heard he'd never make it because he was too small and too slow.

Somehow he's made it into a ninth NFL season, and somehow he made two interceptions for his hometown San Diego Chargers on Sunday.

The biggest came with 4:09 left against Tampa Bay, when he picked off Brian Griese's pass and returned it 30 yards for the go-ahead touchdown in the Chargers' 31-24 win, their seventh straight in what's turned out to be a charmed season."

Words to dine on

Full Story Here: It's difficult to have a formal conversation with Marty Schottenheimer. The Chargers coach won't always tell you what you need – or want – to know. He often says just enough for you to get by. He's a pro who knows the drill.

He doesn't wear a white tie and tails or pretend to be something he's not, a stubborn coach who has seen hundreds of Sundays. He's about as pliable as titanium.

And I don't know that he should be. He has won 174 NFL games, the 174th coming Sunday against Denver. When given a chance, he has a knack of getting it done. Not many coaches do, or have.

Tomlinson: Chargers players want Brees back

SignOnSanDiego.com >Full Story Here: SAN DIEGO – The day after the Chargers assured themselves of their first winning season since 1995, LaDainian Tomlinson made a pitch for the front office to bring back quarterback Drew Brees next year.

Brees has been the biggest catalyst in the Chargers' surprising turnaround from NFL doormat a year ago to the brink of clinching their first playoff berth in nine seasons.

Asked about Brees on Monday, Tomlinson said there's no question the players want him back.

Players remain low-key for stretch drive

SignOnSanDiego.com >Full Story Here: "As the time remaining in the Chargers' showdown with the Denver Broncos decreased Sunday, LaDainian Tomlinson's heart rate increased.

'I thought I was going to have a heart attack,' he said after San Diego held on for a 20-17 win. 'I don't know if I ever wanted to win a game that bad. Ever! I knew how much it meant. It was just incredible.'"

The new Chargers

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO -- Say goodbye to the old San Diego Chargers. You've got to like these new guys.

The old Chargers would have lost Sunday's AFC West showdown against Denver in any number of ways. The fourth-quarter fade pass by Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer that was tipped by cornerback Drayton Florence would have gone into the hands of Rod Smith instead of Chargers defensive back Jerry Wilson.

Drew Brees
Drew Brees and the Chargers have won six straight games.
In the old Chargers days, referee Ron Winter would have ruled that there was inconclusive evidence to oveturn a third-quarter play in which Broncos cornerback Kelly Herndon tipped a Drew Brees pass off the ground to safety Kenoy Kennedy, who ran 95 yards for an apparent touchdown. The new Chargers actually got the right call. Winter sided with the Chargers. That wouldn't have happened in the past."

Role reversal

Full Story Here: The Chargers’ offense carried the team through its five-game win streak, averaging 31.8 points and easing the burden on the defense. On Sunday, it was the defense’s turn to return the favor.

In rainy conditions at Qualcomm Stadium, the Bolts’ defense recorded a season-high four interceptions, allowed only 74 rushing yards to the NFL’s sixth-ranked rushing offense, and sacked quarterback Jake Plummer twice to give the Chargers a 20-17 win over the Denver Broncos.

San Diegans climb on 'Boltwagon'

Full Story Here: "You can't call San Diego Chargers fans fair-weather anymore.

At least you couldn't say that yesterday when 65,395 people watched the Chargers beat the Denver Broncos 20-17 on a cold, windy, wet afternoon that saw the Bolts take a two-game lead over Denver in the AFC West."

Brees can't fine his groove on rainy day

Full Story Here: Quarterback Drew Brees figured to cool off at some point, and it happened on a 58-degree afternoon yesterday.

Matched against a Denver defense that kept him in its crosshairs, he threw an interception for the first time in six games, 27 quarters and 195 passes. He also struggled to reach triple digits in passing yards, finishing with a season-low 106 on 14-of-27 passing. He had only 5 yards passing in the fourth quarter and just 20 in the second half.

But you never would have known it by Brees' demeanor. He didn't appear to be disappointed or frustrated. The bottom line to him was that the Chargers won – 20-17 – and he was on the field to direct them.

Liquid Plummer

Full Story Here: "Football on the Chargers' 7-yard line. Denver driving, momentum sweeping it along, the Broncos having begun this advance with successive gains of 12, 11 and 39 yards against a defense that seemingly was tiring.

At that juncture, with 4:23 left in a wet and raw afternoon at Qualcomm Stadium, quarterback Jake Plummer had an option, assigned him by coach Mike Shanahan: to hand off or, given a certain defensive coverage, to arch a pass on a fade route toward wide receiver Rod Smith.

Plummer looked. He saw the defensive alignment for which he had been alerted, what he would call 'bump-man.' He chose to exercise his option. And as his actions would for him throughout the afternoon, this one turned out disastrously."

Bouncing ahead

Full Story Here: "In about as long as it takes to fire off that game-ending cannon at Qualcomm Stadium, the sense of relief turned to triumph to ecstasy. Then it would turn to downright giddiness.

To be sure, first place does funny things to a fellow. To a team. Heck, to a city. Especially after a full decade."

Fantasy football

Full Story Here: "Before taking the field for their AFC West showdown with the Denver Broncos yesterday, Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer gathered his players and told them to close their eyes for 10 seconds and envision what their locker room would be like after the victory.

Presumptuous? Perhaps.

Effective? Absolutely."

Chargers' interceptions common against Denver

Full Story Here: "Think the rain wasn't a factor? The two teams combined for 67 pass attempts and only completed 30, good for 44.7 percent. There were five interceptions and three fumbles in the game."

Chargers' knockout punch

Full Story Here: SAN DIEGO – In the cinematic sense of things, it was one of those insignificant moments that would have hit the cutting room floor. But when the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos settled up Sunday, the scene ended up impacting everything.

In fact, it changed a game, a division race and the playoff picture.

Chargers claim two game lead

Full Story Here: "The San Diego Chargers fought through a rainy day to beat the Denver Broncos. They took advantage of four Jake Plummer interceptions and came away with a 20-17 victory as Denver could not make head way on their final drive of the game.

The Chargers needed one first down to end the game but could not convert a third down with two minutes to go and almost lost the game when Drew Brees was sacked by John Lynch and fumbled the ball. Brees was able to secure it but the Bolts had to punt and give Denver the ball back.

Denver converted a fourth and ten to get the ball to the San Diego 46 with twenty seconds to go. They were forced into another fourth and ten but this time just eight ticks remained on the clock. Jake Plummer hit Darius Watts but the rookie turned his route inside instead of going out of bounds as the clock ran out on Denver and gave San Diego a two game cushion atop the AFC West."

Unsung Heroes

Full Story Here: "Sunday's game was a game of unsung heroes. Everyone was talking about Antonio Gates and Drew Brees, and last year their names were not even mentioned in the same breath of a Pro Bowl season. It was the play of unsung heroes like Drayton Florence who came in for an injured Sammy Davis and played a good game that made the difference and could be the difference again this week."

Chargers 20, Broncos 17

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The San Diego Chargers' long nightmare is coming to an end.

And if the Chargers do go on and break their eight-year playoff drought, they can thank their anonymous defense.

The Chargers -- yes, the Chargers -- took firm control of the AFC West by hanging on to beat the Denver Broncos 20-17 in a wild one on Sunday. San Diego's defense saved the day by intercepting Jake Plummer four times, including in the end zone in the closing minutes, and LaDainian Tomlinson ran for two touchdowns."

Clash of wills

Full Story Here: "Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer usually bypasses silver linings faster than offensive linemen step past salad lines. He prefers to see athletic performance in black and white. Either you did or you didn't. There is no good in being bad.

But after watching his run defense get gashed in Kansas City last week, Schottenheimer read from a different script. Instead of ripping his defense, he pointed out a potential positive from the negative that was 5.5 yards allowed per rush against the Chiefs."

Statistics validate growth of Brees

Full Story Here: "Chargers quarterback Drew Brees ranks third in the NFL with a 108.0 passer rating. That's 40.5 points higher than his 67.5 rating last season.

If he maintains his efficiency, it would mark the largest one-year increase since the NFL adopted the current passer-rating system in 1973."

Brees still cool under pressure

Full Story Here: "The heir apparent to the throne has been literally just that as Philip Rivers warms the benches for the San Diego Chargers while Drew Brees has a lit a fire for the team and kept it warm all season long.

The reasons for Drew Brees ' success are many, as the quarterback readies the Chargers for their showdown with the Denver Broncos on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium: he has a better understanding of the offense, he has better players around him and he is playing with a chip on his shoulder, after the Chargers gave up on him and acquired Philip Rivers ."

Struggling secondary on the island against Chargers

Full Story Here: "DENVER (AP) -- A Denver secondary that couldn't stop the Oakland Raiders now has a new, more difficult challenge: Going against one of the top receivers in the NFL.

He is San Diego tight end Antonio Gates, and one of the biggest questions of the week is how Denver will cover him. With a zone? With a linebacker? With Champ Bailey?"

Chargers seek to widen gap

Full Story Here: "The San Diego Chargers didn't expect to be leading the AFC West at this point in the season. And the Denver Broncos probably didn't expect to be trailing the Chargers in the standings.

But that's where the Broncos are, a game behind the NFL's most positive surprise, as they head to San Diego for Sunday's NFC West showdown.

The Chargers are favored by three points -- the measure of home-field advantage by oddsmakers -- over a team that beat them 23-13 in Week 3. Since then, San Diego has won seven of eight, including its current five-game winning streak."

Man on a mission

Full Story Here: Drew Brees doesn’t need to be reminded of his career-high 21 touchdown passes, or his AFC Offensive Player of the Week award or his team-record 193 pass attempts without an interception to realize the difference one year has made. All he has to do is go out in public.

Different Brees to face off against Broncos

Full Story Here: "We wanted to force the Chargers to put the ball in Drew Brees' hands."
– Broncos linebacker Al Wilson, after Denver beat the Chargers 23-13 on Sept. 26

With the Broncos coming to town Sunday for a rematch that could ultimately decide the AFC West title, Drew Brees insisted yesterday he wasn't offended by Al Wilson's remark. He also said he wasn't bothered by similar remarks from other Broncos after that game.

Hitting his stride

Full Story Here: "If you've paid close attention the last two weeks and still have doubts about the progression of Drew Brees as a professional football player, then you've missed the wonderful poise and control that he has exhibited throughout this season.

As the clocked ticked down in the third quarter my heart began to race, and visions of late game (and late season) collapse began to fill my mind as they have in years past; these images grew as a Kerry Collins pass found the waiting arms of Oakland tight end Teyo Johnson in the end zone. The momentum had shifted, the Coliseum rumbled as if you were in the heart of Rome, amidst a great battle. A two point Charger lead no longer felt like a lead at all. To say I was skeptical is an understatement, but one thing we have learned from these Chargers is that they truly are a team, and do not appear kin to those of recent past."

Broncos Face New Supercharged Opponent

Full Story Here: "DENVER - What, in the name of Dan Fouts, is going on here? The Denver Broncos (news) head into December facing a key game against a tough division opponent. That's nothing new. The opponent is the San Diego Chargers (news). That certainly is."

Learning from the past

Full Story Here: The Chargers are 8-3 and standing atop the AFC West. Denver, the division’s preseason favorite, sits one game back of the Bolts as the teams prepare for Sunday’s game before a sellout crowd at Qualcomm Stadium.

If that sounds eerily familiar to two years ago, when the Chargers were 8-4 and the Super Bowl-bound Oakland Raiders came to town, beating the Bolts 27-7 to start a four-game slide toward an 8-8 record and no postseason bid, the Chargers acknowledge the similarities without expecting the same results.

Chargers vs. Broncos: Scouting report

Full Story Here: "1:05 p.m. Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium

Had they beaten Oakland on Sunday, rather than blowing an 11-point lead in the final 61 1/2 minutes, the Broncos could have all but wrapped up the AFC West by defeating the Chargers this week. Instead, it's Denver that is in danger of virtual elimination, since a loss would put the Broncos two games behind with four games to play. That won't be easy for Broncomaniacs to accept, considering that just five games ago their team was 5-1 and two games ahead of San Diego."

Charger sign cornerback to active roster

Link HereSAN DIEGO – The Chargers activated cornerback Robb Butler from the practice squad on Tuesday.

The move came two days after cornerback Sammy Davis sustained a hairline fracture in his right leg.

The Chargers also signed wide receiver Carl Morris and cornerback Jonathan Cox to the practice squad. To make room on the roster, the Chargers waived tight end Billy Baber from the active roster and running back Ahmaad Galloway from the practice squad.

Denver game looms as the season maker, or breaker

Full Story HereThere was a time when trying for a ninth victory would be a historic milestone for the Chargers – any time in the past eight seasons, for instance.

Not now. Not with Roman Numerals in their sights.

"The No. 1 thing is to know where you're at and know where you're trying to go," tight end Antonio Gates said. "We've overcome a lot of adversity and different kinds of controversy and people not believing we're going to win more than two games. Now we're at 8-3.