BOLT ANALYSIS: AN ALMIGHTY THUD

At 8:14 PM last night, I took my dog for a walk. This was precisely one minute after Rivers threw the second of what would be 4 interceptions on this night. It was precisely one minute after the ANALYSIS (and I’m not proud of it) gave up on the Chargers. Certainly gave up for the game, despite the fact we still led, and possibly gave up for the season. Last night was the most embarrassing loss I can recall. We have been roundly spanked before, of course, but leading 24-0 at home on Monday Night Football...and losing...it has never been done before.  And that is a fact....in the history of the NFL, no team has come back from a 24-0 deficit and won by double digits. Only twice in the history of Monday Night Football has a team come back from a 24-0 deficit and won at all...and never at on the Road.  It was a game that could have eliminated some ghosts, a game to put us on the NFL Map again, a game to take complete control of our season and Division going into a bye week.  Instead, it became a horror show that defines the sad state that the Chargers have become.

The differences between the first and second half was truly stunning. The game began with a couple of three and outs and then Denver decided to begin showering us with gifts.  A fumbled punt...3 points.  A fumbled kick-off....7 points.  A receiver open by 25 yards stumbles on a gopher hole or something and falls down on his way to the end zone. Seconds later, Quentin Jammer goes the other way for 80 yards (is he the slowest cornerback in the League or what?)..another 7 points. We were up 17-0 and Manning had barely touched the ball.  Add in a nice stop or two on Defense and a beautiful drive to finish the first half, ending in an awesome Gates TD, and we were up 24-0. Manning took a knee to end the half, the crowd was nuts, things were great. Complete control.

Don’t you wish you could have a recording of what was said in that locker room at halftime?  You had to know Manning and the Broncos would come out swinging. What is it that the coaches and player-captains are NOT saying? How could this team come out and play the single worst half of football in the Norv-Rivers era? I wish I knew. We had six possessions in the second half, they led to 5 turnovers and 1 punt. After Manning led his boys to a nice TD drive on their first possession...we answered. We answered with a 6 minute drive that had moved into field goal range. It was a great drive, good mix of runs and passes.  A score there (even a field goal) and we take back momentum and keep a nice big lead. Instead, Rivers stands like an oak tree in the pocket and has the ball knocked out of his hand. No Charger can recover it, and the Broncos go the other way for a TD. The ANALYSIS (who sometimes struggles with pessimism) turns to the family and says, “This game is over, we will lose”. Mind you, we have a 24-14 lead at this point. But, the ANALYSIS just knows. A three and out, another Manning TD drive, another interception...and then, my walk with my dog in the dark.

There it was again, followers, the point of adversity. In the Saints game, it occurred when a defensive TD for us turned into a penalty and a long drive for them. In the Broncos game, when the defensive TD woke up Denver, we still could answer. We still could slap them right back. The good teams do. Instead, much like last week....it was roll over and die time. Again.

Who do we blame, folks? I just wish there were only one thing.  The blame rests, once again, in every corner. There is zero leadership and inspiration on this team. From the GM to the Coach to the QB to the Defense.  We have no on-field or off- field leadership. Did Peyton Manning play wonderfully well last night. Not really...he played well, but not world-beating. But he led. He was a leader and he made plays. He brought his team out in the second half down 24-0 and kept them going. Another ghost from Charger past rubbing our face in our own filth. How about our QB?  Rivers had his worst game as a pro. Four interceptions and 2 fumbles, 2 returned for Touchdowns. Bad throws, bad reads. Look folks, I’m going to say it here. We are so inextricably hitched to this guy it is scary...and he has lost a step. He simply cannot throw the deep ball anymore and he simply cannot move. Go back and watch those three interceptions....all three of them were underthrown to guys who were in back of the defense. All three. I am not saying all three should have been completed, but they should not have been intercepted. Terrible throws. The two fumbles were a result of utter lack of awareness and immobility. Now, the line did not play well late in the game, but Rivers has no clue were anyone is. He is falling down before he is touched or waiting too long to be nailed. It is embarrassing. He was featured this week in articles in Sports Illustrated and Sporting News. The court of public opinion is trying to put him back up there with the “elite”. He, and his 6 kids, and his religion, and his “aw shucks” attitude. Look, I have been in Philip’s camp for years, and I really like the guy, but facts are facts. And he is bad right now. Very, very bad.

What is worse however is that I can say nothing positive about our team. Even though Gates looked great in the first half and Butler and Weddle were good for a while, these are 60 minute games. What can we hang our hat on people? Nothing. Let’s review the top 5 “ANALYSIS keys to the season”.

1. It is all about Rivers

2. Where is Mathews?

3. Jared Gaither’s back?

4. Getting off the field on third downs (pass rush)

5. Getting off the field on third downs (secondary)

How have we done through 6 games? Uh...you answer that one for me.

So, in an attempt to inject some hope into the situation (it was a theme for this year you know) I will say the following. We have a bye this week (thank God). We are 3-3 and tied for our Division lead. We then play Cleveland, Kansas City, and Tampa Bay before taking on Manning again. Can we get on a roll? Who the hell knows? But maybe. Maybe we can.

Now that the glimmer (fools gold?) of hope has been discussed, let’s be pragmatic. It is too early to call for the Fire Norv and AJ Movement (FNAAJM). Still too early. Let’s wait until after the next game against Denver...and see where we stand. OK? Everyone cool with that? My guess is that after that game, if you drive by the ANALYSIS’ household, you will see a lawn sign stating: “Yes on the FNAAJM”.