Our Own Worst Enemy…..
By BoogaP
November 11, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) throws a pass that was intercepted by Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Leonard Johnson (29) (not pictured) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the San Diego Chargers 34-24. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
“It’s no surprise to me I am my own worst enemy!” -Lit (My mom has passed away but she loved that song. She also loved the Chargers)
Here we go again. After another heart wrenching loss the Chargers and their fans are left asking themselves, “what if?”
What if Rivers would have duplicated his first half performance in the second half?
What if Rivers would have done the right thing and thrown the ball away?
What if Norv would have called Ryan Mathews’ number on more than two outside runs?
What if Antoine Cason wouldn’t have had another terrible game?
What if Atari “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” Bigby actually wrapped up when tackling as opposed to always going for the big hit?
What if Rivers wouldn’t have underthrown Gates and Alexander on two separate occasions a piece?
What if containing Vincent Jackson and Doug Martin would have been enough to win?
What if, what if, and what if. I could go on for days. It seems to me the Chargers’ toughest opponent this season would definitely be themselves. It is one thing to lose a game in the NFL. It is another to do so over and over again by beating yourself.
It’s hard to pinpoint one reason why the Bolts continue to fall apart in the second half of games. That being said, it’s not difficult at all to come up with many reasons why they manage to fold like a cheap lawn chair in the third and fourth quarters.
Yesterday was not all Norv’s fault. Sure, he has to shoulder some of the blame. Overall, I liked the game that he called. I wish that he would have taken advantage of Ryan’s speed and explosiveness by getting him outside on running plays. Other than that I thought the offensive gameplan was pretty good.
It’s easy to place the majority of blame on Philip Rivers and two extremely poor passes. It’s so easy that I feel comfortable saying that it is mostly his fault. That ball that he threw to a wide open Leonard Johnson is inexcusable. Yeah, Johnson just so happens to play for the Buccaneers. After hearing Rivers in the press conference I actually became even more infuriated about the play.
The defense allowed 20 of the 34 points in the game. Not great but not bad. The other 14 pts came off a blocked punt returned for a touchdown and the aforementioned interception by rookie Leonard Johnson which was taken to the house for six.
Although I have yet to give up on the season enitrely, I do not expect another miracle turnaround as we have seen from the Chargers in the past. I certainly don’t forsee the Broncos having a monumental collapse similar to that of 2008. They do have that Peyton Manning fella and they also seem to be getting better each and every week.
I sure wish that I could say the same about the Chargers. After starting the season 3-1, the team has managed only one win since then while losing four more. Two of their four victories have come against the Chiefs. Yeah, the lowly one win Chiefs who have yet to lead a game all season.
As we all know it’s very, very difficult to win games in the NFL. But let’s be clear. It is far more difficult to win when the team’s greatest opponent is itself. The Chargers continue to manufacture ways to lose games and beat themselves. The 2012 Chargers have been proving that they are, without a doubt, their own worst enemy.
Feel free to vent some of your frustrations in the comments section below.
Thanks a lot for reading.
BoltUp??
BoogaP