The San Diego Chokers

As much as I loathe the New York Jets, Sunday's game against the Chargers was a bit satisfying. The Chargers choked away another playoff opportunity and this may have been the worst one. In 2004, San Diego was 12-4 and hosting the Jets in the Wild Card Round. Many people felt that the Chargers were a dark horse to make it to the Super Bowl, and they could upset either New England or Pittsburgh later in the playoffs. Well, San Diego was shocked by the Jets at home 20-17, and the Chargers failed to make the playoffs in 2005. In 2006, the Chargers finished with a NFL-best 14-2 record, and they had home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Once again, San Diego fell in their first playoff game in a crushing 24-21 loss to New England. Out went Marty Schottenheimer and in came Norv Turner. In 2007, the Chargers finished 11-5, and beat Tennessee in the first round, and upset Peyton Manning and the Colts on the road in the Divisional round. The Chargers fell to 17-0 New England in the AFC Title Game, and it was assumed that the Chargers had taken care of their playoff demons. In 2008, the Chargers won the division with an 8-8 record, and they defeated Indy in the first round of the playoffs. The Chargers lost in the second round to Pittsburgh on the road, but the feeling around the league was that the Chargers were close and were one of the favorites going into 2009. The Chargers started '09 2-3, but they ripped off 11 in a row to finish 13-3 and the number 2 seed in the AFC. In came a 9-7 Jets team and many people felt the Chargers were the only team that could defeat the Colts on the way to the AFC Title and a Super Bowl berth. Once again, the Chargers' playoff demons came back to haunt them, and they lost to the Jets 17-14. Where does this leave the Chargers? Well, from a Bronco fan perspective, you would hope that the window is closing. In the modern NFL, you can only be on top for so long. You can only win so many division titles in a row before eventually you can a dip downward. Look at the Giants. Two years ago they were Super Bowl Champions. Last year, they finished 12-4. This year they finished 8-8 and now have to rebuild their defense and reload. They made the playoffs four years in a row, but the fifth straight year was not to be. There are many reasons why a team can fall off. One reason is that it is hard to maintain a high-level of play year after year. Another reason is that the difference from 11-5 to 7-9 is so small and marginal. Two bad games and you finish 8-8 instead of 10-6. Also, the physicality of the NFL takes a toll on the offensive and defensive lines. No position goes south quicker than the boys upfront. Some lines can remain the same the next year, but their level of play just drops off. The Chargers could fall victim to each of these factors. Plus, it is obvious that the Chargers' core group (Rivers, Norv, LT, Merriman, Jackson etc...) plays better when they are down or the underdog. If they are favorites or the lead dog, then they come up small in all areas: Coaching, Offense, Defense, and Special Teams. They are better when they are counted out like they were in 2008. They are better when they are the underdog in the playoffs like in 2007 and 2008 against Indy. The bottom line is that the window could be closing. All of those home playoff games and division titles are hard to come by and you can't take it for granted. At some point there has to be a payoff of at least one Super Bowl appearance. For the Chargers and their fans it hasn't happened. The Chargers will always be a threat as long as Phillip Rivers is around, but maybe the door is a little more open in the AFC West now that the Chargers have choked away another playoff run. Stay Classy, San Diego!