First Half Review

So the first half of the NFL season is in the books...and technically a little more than half the season has gone bye. But this week is week 11, the first week after all teams have had their byes, as did the San Diego Chargers, so it seems as if the second half really starts this week, because all teams have the same games played now.

The Chargers are 5-4 and could very easily have been 9-0 but even winning 2 of the games they should have won, they would look even more respectable at 7-2...but that does not matter anymore. The Chargers had a tough first 9 weeks and the Chargers can make their move in the next few weeks to position themselves for a playoff run - they play 3 of their next four games at home and none of the opponents seem too threatening (Buffalo, Washington, Oakland, Miami) then conclude the season with what appear right now to be big time games (Indy, KC and Denver) with the first two games being on the road. The Chargers really need to win these next four games so that 1 and maybe even 2 losses out of the last three games won't be too critical in the playoff picture... of course the Chargers merely need to win and they will control their own destiny....

Charger fans have been critical of Marty Schottenhiemer's style... only 2 games have the Chargers dominated an opponent for the full 60 minutes. The Chargers have had leads in most every game and have tried to sit on the lead only to see it dissapper... and that is why Marty does deserve some of the flak that he is getting. This Charger team looks very talented and to see games that the Chargers should easily dominate in, eek out a win is unacceptable. Marty needs to loosen the reigns and let the offense dictate the game...the New England game is the pattern I think the Chargers should strive for...total ball control, unrelenting drives that lead to scores...

My mid-season prediction for the Chargers - I think they go 5-2 and finish at 12-4 and in the playoffs. Hopefully the Broncos will start their latter season dive and the final game of the season in San Diego versus the Broncos will be for the AFC West title....and the Chargers prevail!

(BTW Picture Caption: San Diego Chargers running back and former TCU running back LaDainian Tomlinson, second from right, stands with his mother, Loreane Tomlinson, right, and his wife, Torsha, on his left, during halftime of the TCU-UNLV game, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005 in Fort Worth. Officials with the school said no one has worn his No. 5 jersey since he left, and no one will in the future without Tomlinson's approval)