After 3-1 start, Bolts have Lost 6 of their Last 7
By BoogaP
Nov 25, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) dives for a first down as San Diego Chargers cornerback Quentin Jammer (23) and cornerback Antoine Cason (20) tackle him at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE
To say that the 2012 season has been frustrating is quite an understatement. It feels like the offseason held much promise and showed signs that things were looking up in San Diego for the Chargers.
After a decent start against mostly mediocre teams, the Chargers have dropped a miserable six of their last seven games. That is the type of run that obviously doesn’t lead to finishing the regular season with a postseason birth.
In almost all of their losses, the Chargers have shown that they are unable to finish teams off and go soft in the second half of games. Being unable to finish strong is the undoing of many a franchise in the NFL. That is a combination of poor coaching and lack of execution.
The coaching staff, led by Norv Turner, have exhibited, in recent years, that they are not able to make second half adjustments.
After blowing big second half leads in consecutive games to both the Saints and Broncos, the Chargers blew a great chance to earn a two game lead over the hated Broncos going into the bye week.
Coming out of the bye, San Diego had a strong opportunity to go into Cleveland and begin to right the ship. Unfortunately I was witness to the debacle by the lake. Despite the defense holding the Browns’ offense to 7 points, our offense could only muster two field goals through sixty minutes of play.
Following the game against the Browns, I attended my second game in a row. The Chargers were able to throttle the Chiefs for the second time this year. This time at home in San Diego.
Wow, how impressive. We’ve beat the hapless Chiefs for half of our 2012 victories. Whoopity Doo!
After our second victory of the year over the Chiefs, the Bolts traveled to Tampa Bay for what could be considered a must win contest. Despite a strong first half performance, the Chargers again came up short in the second half. while doing so, Philip Rivers threw perhaps the worst pass of his entire football playing career. San Diego was able to contain both Vincent Jackson and Doug Martin for the most part. But, in the end, the Chargers still found a way to lose.
Following the Buccaneer game, the team flew west to face the Broncos in an extremely crucial divison matchup. After an eric weddle interception returned for a touchdown, it was mostly downhill fron there. The Chargers dropped their second game of the year against the rival Broncos.
That game leads us to last week. I personally feel that last week can easily be elaborated on but summed up in one phrase which epitomizes the Chargers’ 2012 season….. 4th and 29.
The team welcomes in the Cincinnati Bengals to Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday. The Bengals come in riding high on a three game losing streak. As noted in the title, the Chargers have lost six of their last seven.
The game against the Bengals has been blacked out to those of you that are in the San Diego market. Although I watch every game via NFL Sunday Ticket, I’m sure that a decent percentage of fans are more than happy to not have the option of watching the Chargers this weekend. I can’t imagine feeling that way myself, but completely understand how others would be sick and tired of the status quo in San Diego.
I would like to know what you all think is the biggest reason for such a poor run of games by the Chargers. Feel free to leave a comment voicing your opinion on what it is that has been the major factor in the Bolts having such a poor 2012 season.
As usual, I look forward to any and all of your feedback.
Thanks a lot for reading.
BoltUp!!!
BoogaP