Five keys for the Chargers to win on Sunday

Sep 28, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers free safety Eric Weddle (32) acknowledges the crowd after the Chargers beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 33-14 at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Chargers are coming off the bye week at 5-4 and have slipped to third place in the AFC West. A full two games behind the Denver Broncos and one game behind the Kansas City Chiefs. Not exactly how anyone expected to be going in to week 11, but with a home game against the 0-9 Oakland Raiders this Sunday the Chargers are poised to end their losing streak and get the job done right. With some key players coming off the injury list and the starters all rested here are the keys for making sure the job gets done.

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One: Do not panic. I have reviewed our game in Miami a couple of times. Everyone was in a full-blown hissy fit. Everyone.  Keep calm and win the game. Panic, and we know what happens.

Two: Use all of your tools. Using Oliver over and over again is not working. Q: What’s the definition of insanity? A: The San Diego Chargers play calling! How about the awesome receivers we have? What about Antonio Gates? Let’s just keep calm and throw the ball. Throwing the ball wins the game. Keep running when the defense has Oliver pegged, and we know what happens.

Three: Do not relax on defense. Sigh. I am not sure what happens here. First down, big play! Second down, big play! Third down, penalty or everyone on defense relaxes and the opponent gets the first down. Keep calm and stay focused with high energy and discipline. When we relax on defense we know what happens.

Four: Special teams, time to make some big plays! Hey, we have this new kid that we just got off the wire. Turns out Richard Crawford loves to have big kick returns. Let’s try that. No kneeling in the end zone, that’s for people who don’t have speed. Chargers have speed. Practice slapping the ball out of the opponent’s hand – then pick it up and run in for the touchdown. Keep calm and make big plays. Keep doing the bare minimum and we know what happens.

Five: Study and adjust. This is mostly addressed to the coaches and Philip Rivers. I would love to see Philip looking at photos on the sideline. Review their plays, see what didn’t work and adjust the offense. This is a great way to defeat the opponent. (FYI Philip, I see Peyton Manning doing it in every single game and it appears to be working). Keep calm and be smart! Keep doing what doesn’t work and we know what happens.