Raiders Run Over Chargers

The San Diego Chargers, after last week's impressive win against the Colts, had many football pundits penciling the Chargers in as the 2010 AFC Champions.  Running the table and clinching the division title almost seemed like a formality to some.  But in came the Oakland Raiders, who no longer are a doormat and played with intensity and thoroughly and totally dominated the Chargers from wire-to-wire.

The Chargers special teams returned to its early season form...Darren Sproles muffed a punt that would was Oakland's only punt in the first half, and Oakland was up 14-0 in a blink of an eye.  The Chargers were completely dominated on both sides of the ball.  The Raiders didn't even have to attempt a pass if they didn't want too...they were able to get 5, 6, 8 yards by simply running the ball right up the middle.  The Raiders would occasionally run a reverse or a play-action and the Charger defense was always caught off-guard and flat footed.  As a highly ranked defense, they looked totally porous and unable to answer anything the Raiders had.  On the Raiders last scoring drive in the fourth quarter, the Chargers had just scored and were within 8 points to tie the game and the Charger defense could have redeemed itself by preventing the Raiders from scoring and getting the ball back to the Charger offense...but not only did the Raiders mount a touchdown drive, the Chargers had 2 penalties, one on third down that kept the drive going to assist the Raiders.

But the Charger defense wasn't the only thing that stunk yesterday...the special teams, as I mentioned above, not only had the fumble but Nate Kaeding missed a field goal - looks like he's in post-season form - and after kicking 5 last week in a game that didn't matter, it's easy to label Kaeding a choker because he is.

The Charger offense was also man-handled by the Raiders.  The Raiders were able to rush and get to Rivers on a regular basis...but Rivers did have time on many occasions, but the Charger receivers just couldn't get open.  Rivers also, looked "off".  He had an interception where he totally overthrew his receiver and the ball went right to a Raider playing centerfield.

This game also ended my fantasy football season, so it was doubly bitter for me.  I needed a minimal effort from Rivers and the Charger defense to defeat an inferior opponent and advance to the playoffs...but neither Rivers nor the Charger defense was able to muster much of anything for my fantasy team and now, once the highest scoring fantasy team in our league (as of last week) in one game I will be eliminated from the playoffs and lose the overall points scored.  My fantasy team was thin and fading so I really didn't have much faith in going far in the playoffs but at least I would have had a chance.

And back to the Chargers - if they lose this week to Kansas City they will be officially eliminated from the playoffs.  And just like my fantasy season, where last week it looked like everything was just fine to where next week might be an early end to the season for the Chargers...playing meaningless games to finish the year out.