Week 5 - Steelers at Chargers

The rumblings among the Charger fans have begun to focus in one entity...Marty Schottenheimer. The outcry for him to no longer coach the team began to brew last season and after last weeks 4th quarter collapse those rumblings not only instantly resurface but began this year but now begin to be louder and more angst-filled. I tend to agree with the Charger masses. Marty-ball is worthless and will not get the Chargers anywhere. I think the Chargers have the talent that would rival the best teams in the league and yet have a coach that will choke anyone with talent down. Marty plays to not lose, not to win and that coaching philosophy in itself should mean that you do not coach an NFL team.

So, saying all that...

I think the Chargers should win this Sunday against the Steelers. The Steelers do not appear to be a dominate team of any sort. They struggled against Miami in week one, got shutout by Jacksonville in week 2 and got beat by Cincinnatti in week 3. Of course the NFL always likes to make sure the Chargers play a team after their bye so the Steelers come in rested. This game will likely be a battle of the defenses and whichever offense makes the fewest mistakes...a bit cliche, yet appropriate.

As I said, I think the Chargers should win but until Marty proves that he will take less pressure off the defense and open the offense up a more on a consistent basis I think the Steelers will do the same thing that other disciplined teams in the NFL can do against the Chargers. That is, the Chargers will jump out to a 10, 14 point lead and go into the half. Then the 2nd half the Chargers will get no first downs, never attempt a pass and the Steelers will end up with the ball, down by 2 points with 2 minutes to play and then proceed to move down the field with no resistance and put up the game-winning points with little or no time left.

Ok, I'll still pick the Chargers to win 24-17 but if my above scenario plays out the result will be the same as last years game... Steelers win 24-22...