Steelers Destroy Chargers

With the exception of me thinking the game might be close at half, this past week's game between the Chargers and Steelers went exactly as I had previewed.

The Charger defense is so awful that the Steelers had zero resistance on any of their possessions and drove the entire length of the field at their leisure this past Sunday night. Antonio Cromartie is not near the DB he was 3 years ago. Merriman, who again was sidelined for most of the game, remains a non-factor even when on the field. There is little to no pass rush from the Chargers and a good blocking offensive line easily paved the way for their back-up running back to run for 165 yards...gaining 4-5 yards with ease per carry. On the other side of the ball, the Chargers rushed for a pathetic 16 yards and had to struggle to get that. The passing game remained formidable but unless the Charger offense can score on every possession there was no way they will win a game because the opponent's of the Chargers can, and do, score on virtually every possession.

The Chargers go into their bye week with a similar dilemma they had last season...a defense that is horrendous...one of the worst in the NFL. Last season they fired Ted Cottrell and put Ron Rivera in charge...many thought he would have enough time to 'fix' the Charger defense and it would be at least respectable for this season but that is not the case. Any deficiencies on this Charger team are greatly overshadowed by the defensive woes.

The Chargers remain a team that is unable to win a 'quality' game. The Chargers do well against other mediocre teams but playing the NFL elite they are exposed for what they are... a defensively poor team with an offense that is unable to establish the run game. Sure the Chargers may upset a team here or there, but as this team is and looks right now, going into the bye, any post-season aspirations will be short lived against any sound team.