Chargers Survive Vikes, Fumble To Patriots

I'm off to a slow start this season, doing my best San Diego Chargers impression...

The Chargers escape week 1 with a win over the Vikes, but not until after they showed why they are the Chargers of old, again.  Vikes run the opening kickoff back for a touchdown and for most of the first half the Chargers looked hapless.  Defense showed up in the second half and the Chargers end up with the win.

Week 2 rolls around and the Chargers played a game that resembles many of their playoff games against "elite" teams.  The Chargers fumbled and turned the ball over and, yet, still had a chance to win the game into the fourth quarter...but after the final Tolbert fumble that the Patriots then promptly scored a touchdown on, that, for all intense purposes, ended the game.

This game did reveal what will likely be the reason why the Chargers won't go far in the playoffs...but unfortunately, is the same reasons it has been in the years past.  Poor defense and turnovers.  The Charger defense is unable to make a stop when it matters against good teams.  Then, conversely, the Charger offense, which is touted as "high powered" is muted by a mediocre defense.

Sure the Chargers may impress against middle of the pack NFL teams, but they continue to be the same Charger team we have seen for the past 5-6 years...poised to disappoint.