Chargers Lose, Season Over

Not that it was a shock to anyone that has watched the Chargers at all this season, but the Chargers were beaten easily at home by the Atlanta Falcons yesterday essentially squashing any playoff hopes for the Chargers.

The Chargers had 3 turnovers yesterday and it still wasn't enough for a win.  One of the turnovers was when Eric Weddle recovered a fumble and ran it in for a touchdown, but after looking at the play, I thought it would have been overturned and rule an incomplete pass, but it wasn't.  This was a rare site to see from the Charger defense, but really didn't mean the defense was any better than it has been all season.  The Falcons had little problems with the Chargers and controlled most of the game on both sides of the ball.  The Charger offense was ineffective, only able to score 1 touchdown on a short field after a Falcon muffed punt.  If the Falcons would have taken care of the ball better this game would have been a lop-sided affair...in fact, the Falcons were actually stopped on the goal line in the first half and if they would have scored there, the game would have been out of hand quickly.

Even the 'faithful' homers of the Chargers have been meek and quiet after this loss.  They were still reserving hope that the Chargers would be able to rally in December to challenge for the AFC West crown.  They are now resigned to the fact that the Chargers won't be going anywhere but golfing after December.

The Chargers have a short week and play the Raiders on Thursday night.  It might be a contest to see which AFC West team is more incompetent and right now I think it might be a coin toss.  It will likely be a close game, quite possibly a low scoring affair...Charger offense is now awful as is the Raider offense.  The Raider defense is probably better and that might be the edge that tilts the game in their favor... either way, it will be a lack-luster game that I am sure only few will even bother to watch.

I would hope that Norv Turner is fired after this season but AJ Smith, GM for the Chargers, came out last week to state that Norv was here to stay...if that is the case then maybe AJ Smith needs to go along with Norv.