Is there any way Marty blows this?

[mat1419]

It's well known that Marty Schottenheimer is a bad manager of his team. He blows a lot of big games with bad coaching, so a lot of people are counting the Chargers out solely based on that. But the fact is, they are the one team in the NFL without a huge flaw right now. They have a great defense, the best running back in 20 years, and a very adequate passing game with a QB who isn't being forced to carry the game.

So is there any way they don't win the Super Bowl?

The other contenders all have huge flaws. NE can't pass consistenly. Indy...375 rushing. Baltimore...does anybody think they're really good enough on offense? Chicago...Rex. Dallas...Romo's been shut down two games in a row. Saints...hmm, maybe. After that is a crap shoot. San Diego has to be the clear cut winner, but is there any way Marty blows this one?

[Clarett'sGreyGoose]

Of course there's a way-- they get to the playoff game, and Schottenheimer makes Rivers throw 30-40 passes in the game. That would totally blow it.

[preppyak]

It's well known that Marty Schottenheimer is a bad manager of his team. He blows a lot of big games with bad coaching, so a lot of people are counting the Chargers out solely based on that. But the fact is, they are the one team in the NFL without a huge flaw right now. They have a great defense, the best running back in 20 years, and a very adequate passing game with a QB who isn't being forced to carry the game.

The other contenders all have huge flaws. NE can't pass consistenly. Indy...375 rushing. Baltimore...does anybody think they're really good enough on offense? Chicago...Rex. Dallas...Romo's been shut down two games in a row. Saints...hmm, maybe. After that is a crap shoot. San Diego has to be the clear cut winner, but is there any way Marty blows this one?
The reason I see them winning is because of that part...think of the Steelers last year. Great defense, great running game, serviceable QB...essentially the same set-up in San Diego, with an even better running back.

And like you said, all the other contenders have issues....
Of course there's a way-- they get to the playoff game, and Schottenheimer makes Rivers throw 30-40 passes in the game. That would totally blow it.
Yeah...but, he loves LT a lot...so even down by a little, all those passes would be short throws to him

[zizou1790]

Indy and Baltimore will definatly give them trouble

[LeftWideOpen]

san diego is the favorite ..but I think Baltimore might actually be the team best suited for a playoff run. And this is a total 180 from where I was in the preseason.

1) That defense is once again one of the best units in the league.
2) Jamal Lewis has actually played like a legit RB once again, but only if Billick gives him enough carries
3) They finally have a passing game. Clayton and Mason have been a good 1-2 punch at WR and they still have one of the leagues best TEs
4) Steve McNair has won in the playoffs before. He's one yard from being a SB champ and hes won a playoff game in 2 other seasons.
5) They can win both at home and on the road. They went to NO and beat them. Went to KC and became the 1st team to beat them in Arrowhead in 10 years, during the month of Dec.

the only way I see these guys losing is if Billick fucks them w/ his playcalling. They've got the perfect team to just pound away at the defense and then hit them big w/ playaction, but they've got to commit to the run on a consistent basis.

[mat1419]

Yeah...but, he loves LT a lot...so even down by a little, all those passes would be short throws to him

the one thing that might kill them, is he has a habit of forgetting about LT until the second half. I've noticed this a lot, that he tries to win without LT, then uses his as a second resort. LT needs to be the man for all four quarters. You spell him with Turner, who's more than adequate, but don't save LT in the playoffs.

[livethesounds]

Indy and Baltimore will definatly give them trouble

haha @ the notion that indi would give them trouble. the colts have a lot of work to do for them to be able to give the chargers trouble right now.

the ravens and bengals are the only teams i see contending with the chargers in the afc at the moment.

[mat1419]

haha @ the notion that indi would give them trouble. the colts have a lot of work to do for them to be able to give the chargers trouble right now.

the ravens and bengals are the only teams i see contending with the chargers in the afc at the moment.

the ravens, maybe...just because they're tough to really dissect. the chargers put up 49 on the bengals in cincy, and beat them without merriman in the lineup. i don't think cincy has a shot on their best day against san diego in san diego.

[jwsmith01]

Coming from a die hard Chargers fan from the days of Stan Humphries and the dark ages of Ryan Leaf. Marty will blow it like he did in 04. HE REVERTS BACK TO MARTY-BALL!!! The Chargers should have made it passed the Jets in 04 and into at least the second round. I know LT is special, but when you become complacent and use Martyball it hurts the team. Look at this year, the game against the Ravens. They should have won that game as well but Marty shoved LT into the Ravens D, and it didn't work.

I don't mean to bash my own team, but I've seen this song and dance before, and Marty hasn't delivered the big one. I hope he can bring a World Championship to a team that deserves it this year.

[livethesounds]

the ravens, maybe...just because they're tough to really dissect. the chargers put up 49 on the bengals in cincy, and beat them without merriman in the lineup. i don't think cincy has a shot on their best day against san diego in san diego.

I dont think you can take one game and say "this is what will happen every time". I think the Bengals are getting stronger, on both sides of the ball.

[ActorInThisPlay]

I think the Chargers have just a good of a shot of winning the AFC as anyone else does.

[heyjohnnyfive]

I agree that since Marty has yet to win a Super Bowl, his legacy as an elite coach is not established. But I think he's a great coach and with the way things are shaping up, they should at least make it to the Super Bowl. His bad luck in the playoffs is bound to change some time. Indy hold no threat with that run D. Baltimore, maybe... but I don't think any D can stop LT. Whoever is going to beat SD needs potent offense. I guess that leaves Cincy.

But... I've been liking the Saints the past few weeks. And with the show they put on against Dal, I see no reason why they can't win it all. If they keep that multi-faceted offense running like that, they're going to be tough to beat. Payton is a great coach and he's willing to take risks. Plus, I think it would be great irony if these 2 teams made it to the Bowl and Brees defeated his old team.

[Talib Scottie]

The Patriots and Ravens scare me more then the Colts or Bengals.

[livethesounds]

I think the Chargers have just a good of a shot of winning the AFC as anyone else does.

they have the best shot out of all AFC teams. They are really the only team i dont see much weakness in...in the entire NFL. the Saints could be there too if the pass defence was a little stronger.

[rosematter]

they have the best shot out of all AFC teams. They are really the only team i dont see much weakness in...in the entire NFL. the Saints could be there too if the pass defence was a little stronger.


What about if Grossman plays poorly and Lovie Smith dials up Brian Griese for the remainder of the season and the playoffs? Thats not a bad-looking team if Grossman is on the bench.

[fluke182]

Indy and Baltimore will definatly give them trouble
LDT will absolutely demolish Indy. Single handedly. Marty will have LDT run 25-30 times, Michael Turner run 10 times and Lorenzo Neal even would get 5 carries. Plus, Gates is the perfect weapon through the air against them, as he is a big, physical tight end that would KILL their smallish linebackers. The Colts honestly would probably lose worse against them than they did against the Jags. That would/will be a blowout.

[rosematter]

LDT will absolutely demolish Indy. Single handedly. Marty will have LDT run 25-30 times, Michael Turner run 10 times and Lorenzo Neal even would get 5 carries. Plus, Gates is the perfect weapon through the air against them, as he is a big, physical tight end that would KILL their smallish linebackers. The Colts honestly would probably lose worse against them than they did against the Jags. That would/will be a blowout.


Agreed. The Colts would prefer to see anyone in the playoffs but the Chargers I think.

[heyjohnnyfive]

What about if Grossman plays poorly and Lovie Smith dials up Brian Griese for the remainder of the season and the playoffs? Thats not a bad-looking team if Grossman is on the bench.

I would like to agree with that, but it's almost getting to late to get the rust out of Griese's game. He's sat all year. I think that would be a desperation move even more so than Cutler. If they were going to do that, it'd have to be tonite, but that ain't happening. Griese hasn't proven himself to be a great playoff QB. And as we've seen with recent Romo play, the first couple weeks can be solid gold, but a letdown is bound to happen and you don't want one of those in the playoffs.

If the Bears are going to take it all, I think it's going to have to be with Grossman.

[fluke182]

Agreed. The Colts would prefer to see anyone in the playoffs but the Chargers I think.
I mean thats not even considering how the Chargers pass rush would get to Peyton, because Merriman is a beast and opens up rush lanes due to the extra focus on him. Also, Reggie and Marvin don't deal well with physical secondaries, and that's who they would be up against. With no legitimate third receiver this year, their offense would stagnate, Addai/Rhodes wouldn't be able to run on their stout front four, and they would eliminate the passing game. This would be such an ugly game, probably even uglier than the ones were my Pats ripped up on the Colts in the playoffs.

[rosematter]

I would like to agree with that, but it's almost getting to late to get the rust out of Griese's game. He's sat all year. I think that would be a desperation move even more so than Cutler. If they were going to do that, it'd have to be tonite, but that ain't happening. Griese hasn't proven himself to be a great playoff QB. And as we've seen with recent Romo play, the first couple weeks can be solid gold, but a letdown is bound to happen and you don't want one of those in the playoffs.

If the Bears are going to take it all, I think it's going to have to be with Grossman.


See, I think if Grossman plays poorly tonight, he'll be benched. According to sources, Griese split time with the first-team offense this week for the first time all season. Thats a start. I think Griese would be rusty for the final 3 games of the reg season but also, don't forget Griese historically has come into games as a backup and played well right away. The longer Griese starts the worse he does historically. Maybe Lovie sees that also and knows he can afford to be patient since Griese usually performs his best right out of the gate.

Any either way, how much worse can Griese be than Grossman the last 4 games? Seriously, it doesn't get much worse then that. The Rams are a sub-par team who are average in all categories about. If Grossman blows tonight, give Griese his shot. He's a former pro-bowler and I think he could do just enough (not throw INT's) to help the bears more.

[rosematter]

I mean thats not even considering how the Chargers pass rush would get to Peyton, because Merriman is a beast and opens up rush lanes due to the extra focus on him. Also, Reggie and Marvin don't deal well with physical secondaries, and that's who they would be up against. With no legitimate third receiver this year, their offense would stagnate, Addai/Rhodes wouldn't be able to run on their stout front four, and they would eliminate the passing game. This would be such an ugly game, probably even uglier than the ones were my Pats ripped up on the Colts in the playoffs.


Yup, I agree. I think that Peyton Manning is good enough that he has the ability to beat anybody, but the rest of his team is another matter. The only way Peyton beats the bolts is if Rivers reverts to a typical first-year starter and hands the Colts 3+ turnovers, which doesn't look likely at all.

[xearlynovemberx]

haha @ the notion that indi would give them trouble. the colts have a lot of work to do for them to be able to give the chargers trouble right now.

the ravens and bengals are the only teams i see contending with the chargers in the afc at the moment.

me too

[thejetstolehome]

Indy and Baltimore will definatly give them trouble

excuse me? did you see what jacksonville just did to indy on the ground?

[bduke13]

As a Ravens fan I never thought I would say this but I really hope Cinci wins next Monday.

[jwsmith01]

I don't know, Indy certainly doesnt scare me after seeing what the Jags did to them yesterday. I'm still saying the only way that the Bolts will lose in the playoffs is because of Marty.

There is no way that the rest of the AFC can stack up against the offensive trifecta of Rivers, Gates and LT. "Lights Out" will get to any QB and the 3-4 Defense stops Peyton everytime. So the Colts don't have a chance.

Marty is the ONLY one that will stop the SuperChargers...

[FondestMemory]

one thing people are forgetting in this whole equation is that philip rivers is a first year starter.

he's having a great season, i'm not saying he's not. but the playoffs are a whole other monster. there's been plenty of qbs throughout history that had amazing seasons in their first year as a starter only to shit the bed in the playoffs.

that's the bigger question mark than schottenheimer. if rivers can keep up his performance, or if his team can make up for any mistakes he's bound to have, they'll be nearly unbeatable in the playoffs.

but as of now, the pats and ravens could challenge them almost based on experience alone. and if they face jacksonville, i like the way the jags matchup against them. those three teams would all have very legit shots at beating the chargers.

[Drew Beringer]

I just hope the Colts can get a lot of their injured players back to help the D, like Bob Sanders.

[hockey0001]

Indy and Baltimore will definatly give them trouble

you're joking about Indy right? Try to imagine what Tomlinson would do to the run defense

[hockey0001]

I just hope the Colts can get a lot of their injured players back to help the D, like Bob Sanders.

If Sanders could ever stay healthy he would be one of the top safeties in the league. But i think he can be beat deep if he's set up with a play fake. I remember in the NE game he was basically at the line of scrimmage or further before the hand off everytime. If NE play-faked at all he would have been beat. I dont know if that has happened to him in other games, but it stands out for me. But then again he's never healthy so it doesnt really matter.

[FondestMemory]

If Sanders could ever stay healthy he would be one of the top safeties in the league. But i think he can be beat deep if he's set up with a play fake. I remember in the NE game he was basically at the line of scrimmage or further before the hand off everytime. If NE play-faked at all he would have been beat. I dont know if that has happened to him in other games, but it stands out for me. But then again he's never healthy so it doesnt really matter.

agreed with all of this. bob sanders is one of the best safeties in the league when healthy. but he's over agressive at most times. if it's in a team's gameplan to take advantage of that, he's fucked. he's one of those player who's fucked by having his greatest strength also being his greatest weakness.

amazing player though.

[Drew Beringer]

Meh, I haven't given up on the Colts, maybe all this doubt and criticism will help them.

[LeftWideOpen]

one thing people are forgetting in this whole equation is that philip rivers is a first year starter.

he's having a great season, i'm not saying he's not. but the playoffs are a whole other monster. there's been plenty of qbs throughout history that had amazing seasons in their first year as a starter only to shit the bed in the playoffs.

that's the bigger question mark than schottenheimer. if rivers can keep up his performance, or if his team can make up for any mistakes he's bound to have, they'll be nearly unbeatable in the playoffs.

but as of now, the pats and ravens could challenge them almost based on experience alone. and if they face jacksonville, i like the way the jags matchup against them. those three teams would all have very legit shots at beating the chargers.

hit the nail on the head w/ Rivers and the experience factor. It's the only reason I consider Baltimore the best prepared for a playoff run. I think the Chargers are most talented, well-rounded team.

[hockey0001]

Yup, I agree. I think that Peyton Manning is good enough that he has the ability to beat anybody, but the rest of his team is another matter. The only way Peyton beats the bolts is if Rivers reverts to peyton manning in the playoffs and hands the Colts 3+ turnovers, which doesn't look likely at all.

fixed

[heyjohnnyfive]

As a Ravens fan I never thought I would say this but I really hope Cinci wins next Monday.

Cincy will not beat Indy next week.

And I have yet to completely buy into the Chargers winning the AFC. They have a lot going for them, true. But I still think the Ravens are very good and have a great shot at taking #1. The Ravens can win out and hold they tie-breaker with SD. While I don't believe home field is necessary, home field for SD is a very big deal since they haven't lost there this year.

What SD does against the Chiefs this weekend will tell a lot. If they beat my boys, then I will completely buy into them making it to the Super Bowl.

[zizou1790]

Meh, I haven't given up on the Colts, maybe all this doubt and criticism will help them.

i hate the colts, but i really think they could and would take it to San Diego, Indi still has a great offense that could keep LT off the field to some degree, and to go along with the fact and Indi knows the run is coming from here on out and the only place they can after last week is up.

If Indi and San Diego met in the playoffs

LT 25 - 120

Indy 31 - SD 28

[hockey0001]

i hate the colts, but i really think they could and would take it to San Diego, Indi still has a great offense that could keep LT off the field to some degree, and to go along with the fact and Indi knows the run is coming from here on out and the only place they can after last week is up.

If Indi and San Diego met in the playoffs

LT 25 - 120

Indy 31 - SD 28

are you serious with that? LT would get more than 120 yds running, and he would probably also have at 75 yds receiving. The colts offense is not the type that keeps other offense's off the field. They are a big play/quick strike offense. For the most part, Peyton doesnt have to patience to sustain a 15-17 play drive. Indy's offense is slightly better than San Diego's, but the two defenses arent even close

[Talib Scottie]

The Colts would rather see the Chargers then the Jags I'd think.

Not because of this past weekend but the Jags always play them tough.

[Talib Scottie]

i hate the colts, but i really think they could and would take it to San Diego, Indi still has a great offense that could keep LT off the field to some degree, and to go along with the fact and Indi knows the run is coming from here on out and the only place they can after last week is up.

If Indi and San Diego met in the playoffs

LT 25 - 120

Indy 31 - SD 28
Stack 8 people in the box, like Denver did? Antonio Gates and P Riv are praying for that. The score was 21-3 before LT really got going this week, the passing game opened things up for LT.

Don't you think teams with actually good defenses have already thought about this "stop LT" thing?