Three. Make Her Open The Box

Beating the Radiers never gets old. You know this, FAITHFUL READER. Back in 2002, when I got my star on the NFL fan walk of fame, I talked about how much it meant. You can read the Salon.con piece here. I was lying a little. The years where we only beat them weren't that fulfilling, but you already know that. This week's title quote comes from Lonely Island's "Dick In A Box." The last time I was referencing that was the 2009 season when we last won the division. We all know how that season turned out. I will give Mark Sanchez credit for a good interview with Herbert in the car last week, but it doesn't erase that 2010 playoff game.

It's only been two weeks and the Chargers haven't played what I hope will be their best football of the year. But, especially after Slater's injury, we couldn't have asked for much more. They need to take the third of this divisional gauntlet today. I'd be willing to sacrifice next week's game in East Rutherford for it and I'll be in the stands. Of course, it doesn't work like that. I know they can't win every one, although try telling me that when they are happening.

But there was no let down on Monday Night, even with Molden out and Mack injured midway. Henley had an insane sinus infection, among other ailments. As a Knick fan who survived the '90s, I won't ever refer to a "flu game," but it was an amazing performance. The defense was suffocating all night, even if no one wanted them to have to see on the field so long. Then again, that long drive in the third quarter by the Raiders took a ton of time off the clock.

Of course there were things that "need to be cleaned up." Our downstairs bathroom is missing a toilet still, so I had to keep going out on our deck to pee. Fortunately, I missed the fourth down call that resulted in that awful fumble. I knew I wasn't the only person who recalled the Bandy sweep in Jacksonville. However, references to Staley, Lynn, etc. don't really get to me. Remember, Staley singlehandedly sent Tranquill out of town and Lynn didn't think he was good enough to play to begin with. I believe it was that meaningless Jacksonville game where Chatty Phil threw the 90 yard touchdown? I know it makes for great mic'd up coverage, but it's kinda embarrassing since it meant nothing. It's no reflection on Rivers. That's who he was no matter what. But I think that was the game Lynn chose to play Perryman instead even though we needed to let the young guys get some time. Staley, of course, couldn't find a way to use Henley. That's a pretty big knock on him. Lynn was weirdly odd in his discipline. He got all in Desmond King's first game in Buffalo which I was at. Then he bascially ran a functional player out of town. It seemed like Rashawn Jenkins, who was abysmal for us, was fine once he left. Now, I'm having flashbacks. Tre Boston could have iced the game in Jacksonville in 2017 after his pick. God, I went to a Dead and Company show at MSG after that loss somehow. At least they played a great "Watchtower" and encored with "Werewolves."

Back to last week. The defense got off the field and then the Chargers started throwing once again. They were really telegraphing the ball to Johnston and I was one of the many screaming from the rooftops again about it. Herbert has always trusted him to a fault. The first drives seemed like they were featuring him at X and of course he wasn't getting open or really getting to contested passes.

But he proved me wrong once again. I don't think of him as fast, but he was sure open on the play that changed the game. There will be plenty of times that the Chargers need to lean on the run and I have no problem with them doing whatever is working. Clearly, as my friend Victor pointed out, Roman must have seen something which led to all the passes and specifically to Johnston. Once again, my Los Angelino doppleganger was right.

To quote the great Ron Burgundy in his very underrated sequel, watch out for voodoo, since that shit is real. I don't how to actually operate the voodoo doll, but I've had for years thanks to eBay. Of course, the seller was out of Boston, since that's a great place for all kinds of hate. My first anti Radiers shirt came from New England, since they were printing them up during their 2001 Super Bowl run. I did have to buy the Rams Suck shirt too to get it. Anyway, when I got the voodoo doll, the seller asked me if I wanted it in black or white. Once again, that's so Boston. My response was that I may hate the Raiders but I'm not a racist or even remotely comfortable having an African-American voodoo doll of any team.

If you'd caught me on Tuesday, I'd still be all caught up in the game. But now, I'm already thinking about Denver. I don't expect there to be any let down. The Broncos want it as much as we do, although I don't know that JK Dobbins is so pissed about. Harbaugh and Hortiz gave him a shot when no one else would. He wasn't ready for the second half of the season and didn't do much in the playoff game. Hart and Molden are out today, but we hopefully have the depth this time to carry us to a W. I'm gonna log off now and try to work out before kickoff. Let's continue to fuck shit up.

JIC,

RLW