The San Diego Chargers are They Ready to Take Charge

What happening to the San Diego Chargers? The Chargers were suppose to be in the upper echelon of elite teams in the American Football Conference, lead their division, and be on the cusp of going to the Super Bowl, but San Diego has not resembled a team that come close to merit such high expectations. The Chargers are not alone, but when a team goes 13-3 last season and returns practically the same personnel to play this season and only have a 2-4 won-loss record going into Week Seven of the NFL play is quite underwhelming.

Chargers have not played terrible in their losses, but their best wide receiver, Vincent Jackson has not been there. He would have made a difference in a few of the games.  Jackson has ended his holdout but, he still must serve a three game suspension that was imposed by the Chargers.  He was suspended three games by the league for violating the League’s substance abuse policy.   If Jackson wants to be the go to guy, then get all together and stop being a distraction to a team that needs his services.

The passing game has not struggled, but it would have been a lot better with Jackson. Philip Rivers had some big games, but Rivers had big games because he was the only option that truly moved the offense and his team was behind. Rookie Ryan Stewart has not had jaw-dropping breakout game thus far this season, but he will need it soon.  Rivers throwing over 300 yards game has not spell victory; therefore, Stewart must become a running back that many defense fear when he runs the ball.  Antoine Gates is the cog in the wheel that really holds this pass game together.  Gates may be lost to injury and if any player that the Chargers’ offense can ill-afford to lose would be Gates.

The running game has not been terrible, but the Chargers want more out of Ryan Stewart.  He has been solid, but the Chargers are expecting more. They are ten games left in the season, and I am sure Stewart will show the fans why San Diego drafted him in the first round. Chargers are averaging a not too shabby 4.3 yards per carry.  4.3 yards per carry means they can move the ball on the ground when they need to.

Defense has been superb regarding how many yards allowed.  A team will have a difficult time throwing against the Chargers, but it is keeping opposing offenses out of the end zone is another dreaded story. A good reason the pass defense leads the league with close to 164 yards in passing yardage allowed is how they are able to get after the quarterback.  Shaun Phillips six sacks lead the team, but he has Kelvin Burnett nipping at his heels with five sacks. When you have players with numbers like that then you could not ask for too much more.  They could ask the defense to stop the scoring.

The Chargers must put it all together because on paper they are just as good as the New York Jets or any other AFC elite team.  Vincent Jackson will be able to contribute real soon. They are part of weak division; therefore, their record could be 9-7 at season end and it would probably be enough to get them into the playoffs.  San Diego is facing adversity, but it is not impossible to get through it and live up to the playoffs expectations bestowed on them by almost everyone including myself.