And they won, but o how the mighy have fallen, as the Chargers cling to their invisible playoff hopes

SCOTT JACOBS

How many years can one hear the phrase, “most talented team in the NFL,” before they finally come to their senses and realize that San Diego’s massively disappointing NFL team just might be the most over-rated team in the league.  And in an age where parity reigns supreme, and close games are the norm, the Bolts are just another team in a crowded field of franchises that just aren’t getting it done. Not this year at least.

At 5-8, clinging to the idea that they might be able to finish at .500 a year after giving the Pats a decent run for their money in the AFC Title game, the Chargers look like a fraud in 2008.  Everyone’s been putting them on this pedestal, and they’ve just admired the spotlight, as teams raced past them.

Their game against the lowly Raiders was so under the radar that I forgot it was on.  And I think the NFL probably wishes they could get a do over.  (Where’s our flex schedule they must be asking themselves!)

Quietly Ladanian Tomlinson is on pace for the worst season of his career (though we should note that he would still get to 1000 yards at this pace), and Norv Turner is once again proving why he hasn’t succeeded as an NFL coach.  Sure, the expectations are through the roof, but I think he knows that he’s done as soon as the Broncos win one more game to clinch the West.

Look, I get it.  The Chargers have been hit with bad luck, injuries, the works.  But in a division where the winner may not finish above .500, a team as “loaded” as these Chargers are so should breeze their way back into the playoffs.

They haven’t.  And shortly, we’ll be turning the light on their playoff dreams.

A year after they almost got by the machine that was the New England Patriots.

But that’s how it goes in the NFL.

Compliments only get you so far.  The Chargers are learning that the hard way.

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