Chargers Dominate Again, Crush 49'ers

The 49ers are probably wondering what it would take to get the Chargers on the schedule a little earlier in the year when the Chargers were more than inept and gladly lose to bad teams.  Now, towards the end of the season, the Chargers have remedied many of their problems and can crush any mediocre team in the NFL.

Vincent Jackson finally made a statement and left me with little doubt that this guy is by far one of the Chargers best wide receivers. Jackson's first touchdown was simply sick.  Matched up 1 on 1 on a deep bomb that was essentially a "jump ball" ... VJ went up and got the ball and scored a 58 yard touchdown.  From that point on, the 49ers should have known to pay some extra attention to VJ but Jackson ended up scoring 3 touchdowns total and was seemingly open most of the game.  With all the off season drama, holdout, suspensions and roster exempt tactics played on both sides, who knows if Jackson will be a Charger after this season.  Even if the Chargers decide to up their offer and sign him to a long term deal will Jackson even consider it after all that has happened?  Whether Jackson stays or not, it is clear that the Chargers would benefit greatly in their passing game if they could get another player that has talent similar to Jackson.

Of course the guy throwing him the ball, Phillip Rivers, continues to have a stellar season.  Antonio Gates wasn't active with his foot problems, but it will be interesting to see how the Chargers can fare when they get all their weapons back on the field.

The defense, for the second straight week, played a stellar game.  The Chargers could have likely shut out the 49ers but by mid-way through the 4th quarter the Chargers was fielding nothing but the backups and it still took the 49ers last possession to finally get on the board.  The Chargers were kneeling with the ball at the two minute warning left in the game...really?  Yes, really...

But in fairness, the 49ers made a ton of mistakes that when you add them all up likely cost them the game.   A dumb personal foul made a long play even longer for the Chargers.  The 49ers, early in the game, went for a touchdown on 4th down and didn't even get close...could have been 7-3 early, instead the Chargers get the ball back drive down the field to get a field goal it is 10-0 early.

I don't think I have ever given Norv credit for much coaching...mostly because I don't think he deserves any, but last night Norv made and won two challenges...one was when Alex Smith was given a touchdown but was stopped just short of the goal line, which brought up the fourth down play I mentioned above...again, this was all at a key time early in the game.

Chargers get an extended break before they play the Bengals the day after Christmas...it's in Cincy and I'm sure it won't be warm.  Bengals have lost 10 games in a row and I am sure not many people are giving them a chance...but the Chargers have lost to bad teams all this season and if they take the Bengals lightly, I am sure the Chargers are going to get smacked around.  If the Chiefs lose this weekend the Chargers will move into first place in the AFC West for the first time this year.  With the Jets fading as well, the Chargers may actually move into a wild card spot if the Chiefs win out...but of course the Chargers have to win out as well...for any wild card hopes to be there...