These last few weeks have been quite the surprise. The job's not finished yet and by finished I mean that the Chargers haven't gotten into the playoffs yet. But the fact that they can clinch a spot tonight is pretty impressive given where they were a few weeks back. When they lost at Vegas, the Bolts looked finished. I have declared them dead a bunch of times this season, beginning with the loss at Arrowhead.
But, as Chatty Phil used to say, THE CHARGERS ARE ALIVE. We'll see for how long and whether they can do something significant. But going into the Dolphins game I did not think they would be in this position right now. It seems that if the Bolts get into "the tournament" they would almost certainly play the Bengals. I didn't think the three teams that needed to lose before tonight's game would do so. The Chargers have two games after this one, but this is their chance. Don't hope you can beat the Rams or Broncos. Nick Foles is not coming off the bench for Philly. His Jags stint proved that he's not really Joe Montana. We even beat Montana the last time we played him.
Does Staley deserve credit? Is his job safe? Again, they haven't gotten in yet. Sean Payton is apparently assembling his super staff with Fangio as we speak. We'll see about the Bolts. Guyton isn't coming back but every one else is "still in play." Winning tonight would mean whoever is going to play this year from the injured list isn't in a rush. But for once, I'm not going to dwell on the negative. Last year, the Chargers were in this exact spot. They couldn't get it done. You could argue that this is a lesser team we are facing right now but that's irrelevant. The Chargers will be facing the doubters as much as anything tonight. If you can't take the must-win game then you shouldn't be in the playoffs. That's what the postseason is, after all. Daniel Popper said the team was pretty psyched when Cincy held on in Foxboro. I assume they were even more pumped when the Raiders lost in Pittsburgh. They know what is at stake tonight. Was all this agita thus far just meant to strengthen them for what comes next? We'll find out soon enough.
JUSTICE IS COMING, like Sunday Ticket, may have a new home in 2023. If the Sports Daily and I aren't working together any more than I will keep a blog. I may switch up domain names, since Book #2 is almost ready to announce. But for now, let's just take it all in and enjoy if we can.
We'll talk in 2023.
JIC,
RLW