Yeah, it's a Five For Fighting reference. The Superman trailer got me in my feels, is that what kids say? As you could tell, FAITHFUL READER, I had very little faith in the Chargers after that Tampa game. Before Dicker's long field goal, I had even less. After getting the shit kicked out of themselves for the second half of the Bucs game, the first half against Denver was additionally galling. I know Perryman was in and out of the lineup (and seems like he'd be lucky to play unless we get into postseason) and that Cam Hart was out of the lineup, but the defense looked like they were in serious fucking trouble. Had the league figured Jesse Minter's scheme out? Was our lack of talent starting to really show? There was a great post on Twitter where someone spotted Hortiz on the sideline and asked what he was going to do with all the cap space next year and he said "spend that shit" and made the make it rain sign. I guess they do understand we need talent after all.
Back to the game:
I have no doubt that Harbaugh truly does love the free kick rule that we practice it. The mini-movie, from which this screen shot comes, suggests that the players didn't know it would be an unblocked play. I didn't know. I knew, like Derwin James suggested, that the half couldn't end on a penalty. But watching the mini-movie, it was clear that once Payton got the ball back at the end of the half, Derwin was telling the rest of the defense not to try for sacks and simply to defend the short stuff. In retrospect, the Broncos played right into our hands and throwing the ball left time on the clock.
Harbaugh took that time out and we know what happened next. Yes, this screen shot is amazing out of context. At the half, I fully believe we'd battle back but really didn't have any idea of what was to follow. The fact that Gus Edwards was playing on an ankle that would keep him out tomorrow, including the long run in the fourth is crazy. I am far too superstitious to say what many did after Cincy (and to a lesser extent Atlanta) that "Chargering" is done. I mean this wouldn't have qualified for that because we never had control of the game to begin with. But is this a whole new Charger team? So far, they've won the games they were supposed to, though you can look at Arizona and Tampa (after their follow-up in Dallas) and say maybe those were ones we should have had.
The second half was insane. Broncos fans can complain about the penalties, though they all seemed legit. Herbert gets no calls so a late hit and horse collar seemed so unusual to us. What really was crazy was when some of these plays occurred. The Herbert run out of the end zone was on 3rd and 10.
Tomorrow will be my first trip to Foxboro since 2005. I am sure you remember that as a blowout in a season we DIDN'T make the playoffs. We won 41-17, Marty tried to compliment the Pats for being better than what they showed and Brady played the "keep your team's name out of your mouth" card. My first trip to see the Chargers play the Pats was 1994, the only good game that Marion Butts had for New England. In that game Junior was called for a BS roughing penalty that wiped out a Gibson interception. Obviously both those guys would have bigger plays later on and I was lucky enough to witness them in person.
I was at the 1997 game, the day Princess Diana died, where the only touchdown we scored was a Freddie Jones catch. I sadly also attended the 2001 game where Tom Brady had his first real comeback. I had the opportunity a decade later to attend the AFC Championship game. I decided to watch at home since I knew Pats fans would be unpleasant if we lost and probably worse if we won. The days of getting drunk and hanging in enemy territory don't have the appeal it did back in the days where I thought I was the only Charger fan outside of San Diego.
I wasn't and it has been great to connect with so many other Boltheads over the years. "Fanbases travelling" has been much more of a thing since then. Of course, everybody wants to film themselves fighting so I will be careful out there tomorrow. I'll also be with my son, who looks little like he did here in 2023.
He will be rocking the jersey, however. I am opting for the white Fouts jersey since I wore the blue one to Green Bay last year and we know how that turned out. Aaron humors me with the Chargers. He's a fan, but he's only seen disappointment. The first half at Jacksonville, the first half against the Bengals this year...he's gotten to experience those things but also the come down off the second half.
They didn't blow the Cincy game, I know. When interviewed in the lockerroom after the Denver game, Derwin was asked what's different about this team. He said "no panic." Even though they lost in KC, they seem to not be afraid, which is part of what "Chargering" is all about. Derwin was at that same autograph show that Herbert was at. I didn't have the money for a second trip, but I will say he's been huge this year. We all look at him and think he's not doing this or that, but I think Harbaugh and Minter have "unlocked" him in a way that Staley only dreamed about.
It's nice to ride the tide of the Denver game for over a week now. We all know how important tomorrow is. I know the team knows. I do believe Harbaugh will have them ready. No team is a gimme. Maye looked good in Buffalo and I am sure Henry (I still think there's more him not being brought back than we know) and Stevenson will show up. But Aaron and I are making the trip in the hopes of a win. My dad took me to my first Chargers game in 1986 against the Giants. He let me cheer my brains out from the upper deck as we lost the week after the Gary Anderson leap against Miami. The Giants won the first of 4 Super Bowls that year by the next season I was watching the Chargers lose six straight to miss the playoffs.
But there is reason to believe:
That was my 21st anniversary and I was there with Sammy in tow. A lot has happened since then, some things better than others. But for the Bolts, it would be great to see a win tomorrow. To quote Glory, it would also be nice to get clean.
See you in the fort, Thomas.
JIC,
RLW
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