Heartache at Heinz!

Pittsburgh, Pa

If I was only given one word to sum up the Chargers season thus far...Heartbreak! As I write today my windows are closed due to the falling ash from these ever present Ca wild fires, it took another gut wrenching defeat that made me shut my blinds so I can be alone in the dark. I'll be OK I promise, not so sure about the team I root for. The San Diego Chargers lost to the Steelers 11-10 Sunday afternoon in Pennsylvania. The first time ever an NFL game ended in that score. To add insult to injury the players all had to wait on the field for over 2 minutes while the officials reviewed the final play of the game up in the booth. The play of the game had to be Troy Polamalu's diving interception catch to end the Chargers first drive. Polamalu was also involved in the games odd ending. The game ended on a last attempt multiple lateral play. That's when Polamalu reached up and batted the ball out of the air, eventually taking it to the end zone for a score. It got interesting when the officials declared a TD 1st, then reviewed the play and overturned it on an alleged illegal forward pass ending the play. Official Scott Green noted after the game that the officials got it wrong and the TD should have counted. The results would have been the same, no harm done, unless you bet on football.  Ron Rivera's defensive unit came out fighting however, pushing Pittsburgh to a missed field goal attempt and a turnover on downs after a huge 4th and 1 stop in the first quarter. In the second, the blitz package was evident and the defense held the home team to 3 punts and a field goal. To my personal chagrin the Chargers seemed to abandon the blitz in the second half and allowed two more field goals. With Phillip rivers throwing a red zone interception for the second time four weeks, even field goals proved to be too much to overcome.

 The Bolts just might need lightning to strike now if they want a chance at the post season.With the loss San Diego falls to 4-6, as division rival Denver 6-4, got a win in Atlanta earlier in the day. The two teams meet December 28th for the last game of the season, Denver won the first match up between the teams in week two. Good news is the Broncos only have to lose one more game than San Diego the rest of the way and the Chargers can make their own destiny by winning that rematch. LT and co. now look to bounce back with a three game home stand. Chargers start next Sunday vs. the Colts, Dirty Birds, and Raiders.