Chargers Lose To Steelers

The San Diego Chargers have all but wrapped up their 2008 season after losing to Pittsburgh 11-10 with the same 'theme' that this Charger team has exhibited for most of the season...the Charger defense can't stop anyone and especially when it matters most.  The Chargers scored only 1 touchdown and didn't allow Pittsburgh to score any and defensively, for most of the game, the defense played well.  But the Steelers got the ball in the 4th quarter with just over 6 minutes on the clock.  They methodically moved down the field and only faced 2 third downs, the latter 3rd down is when they lined up for the game winning field goal with 11 seconds left.  The Steelers even had a 1st and 20 (after a penalty) but the Steelers could easily gain 5-7 yards per play on the final drive as the Charger defense provided no resistance to the Steelers at all.

Phillp Rivers who had started out the 2008 season red hot has now looked like complete crap the past 3 games.  Against the Steelers he had 2 interceptions, one wasn't his fault as Vincent Jackson continues to not hold onto the ball and the Steelers make an incredible interception after his bobble.  But the second interception was such a poorly thrown pass and right to the Steeler defender there was no one but Rivers to blame.  Rivers also had a fumble in the endzone that accounted for a Steeler safety...not totally his fault, but still, not a timely event for the Chargers.

Nate Kaeding, the Charger field goal kicker, has proven to be a colossal choker.  He can make a field goal anytime it doesn't matter and if the conditions are perfect.  Kaeding missed a 42 yard field goal in the 3rd quarter that would have matched the Steelers field goal they scored on the previous possession.  But Kaeding has proven time and time again that he can not be counted on for a game winning, game breaking or big game kick.  When he missed the field goal against the NY Jets in the playoffs, was it, 5 years ago(?) I had hoped that would be a character builder...instead it has been a defining moment for him.  Yes, he is a solid kicker...but only when it doesn't matter.

There are still plenty of Charger hope amongst some of their fans...but my mid-season prediction is 2-0 so far and I don't see how the Chargers can even compete against the Colts this Sunday night.  Peyton Manning could very well break some NFL records against this horrible defense...