Another Heartbreaker in San Diego

As the sun began to set over the Pacific near San Diego, the Chargers had another nail biting game that ended with a 20-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.  The heartbreak was not just on the field at Qualcomm Stadium, but in the stands where there were so many empty seats that, for yet another week, the Charger game was blacked-out on local television broadcasts.

As for the game, the Chargers made the plays they needed to make but untimely penalties and costly mistakes at the worst of times gave the Bengals the openings they needed to seal the win.  While quarterback Philip Rivers did what he could, throwing for 280 yards, the running game was similar to the fans – Missing in Action.  The Chargers totaled just 46 rushing yards, and 20 of those were by Rivers.  A total of 26 yards rushing by the running backs isn’t going to win many games.  The addition of Danario Alexander has benefited Rivers, as Alexander has become Rivers favorite go-to target for big plays.  He finished the day with 102 yards receiving.

Next week, the Chargers will travel to Pittsburgh to battle the revived Steel Curtain Defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are coming off an amazing upset win in Baltimore against the Ravens.  The Chargers have a lot of work to do this week to correct the mistakes and to be ready for the Steelers, with or without Big Ben.  The Steelers are always tough at home and their fans will fill the stands.

As the week continues, the same questions that have haunted the Chargers this season will keep coming back:  “What is Norv Turner’s future?” “What can The Chargers do to finish the game with a W instead of a loss?” “Will the running game improve and what can be done to improve it?” “Is Phillip Rivers trying to play HERO ball too much?”