Can anyone else remember the last time the Chargers playoff outlook seemed this strong? How about the last time the Chargers had this talented of a roster, top to bottom? If you’re a Bolts fan, you might know exactly which team I’m talking about. But, to everyone else – here it is:
The 14-2, AFC West Champs – the 2006 San Diego Chargers.
Yep, the same team that was ranked #1 in the NFL in offense… and defense. Not only was that offense led by Phillip Rivers on the upswing of his prime, with two other future Hall of Famers by his side in Antonio Gates and LaDanian Tomlinson. On the other side of the field, Shawne Merriman was giving quarterbacks nightmares while Jamal Williams single handedly plugged up the middle.
What a time it was to be a Chargers fan… that is — until they lost just a couple of weeks later.
Now, I get it – the Chargers are not 14-2, and certainly do not have the top ranked offense; or especially, defense. However, the similarities are eerily familiar… an up and coming franchise QB in Phillip Rivers? How about Justin Herbert. Shawne Merriman, a dangerous beast of an edge rusher? Joey Bosa. How about LT, one of the most versatile, playmaking backs in the league? Yup, Austin Ekeler.
Granted, although safety Marlon McCree’s boneheaded mistake ultimately lost the game, you can understand that the Chargers lost against the Tom f’ing Brady and the dynasty that was the New England Patriots. While the Chargers were arguably the most talented team in the 2006 NFL season, they still found a way to lose… And I can guarantee even the most die-hard Bolts fans have this in the back of their mind as the 2022 Chargers approach the post-season.
And yet, going into the season, the Chargers were in the “Super Bowl or bust” category. Well, before all of the injuries. Instead, what we observed was a disastrous, roller coaster of a year in which the Chargers could’ve easily missed the playoffs altogether!
Chargers Playoff Outlook: 2006 vs 2022/23
That’s the biggest difference here – the Chargers playoff outlook itself. The weight (or lack thereof) expectations. Had everything gone well throughout the 2022 season, sure, one could expect the same lofty outlook as the 2006 team had – at least a conference championship game.
But if any Chargers fan is headed to this post-season (which yes, also includes Patrick Mahomes, among Burrow and Allen) expecting the Bolts to make it that far, bravo to you for those “cajones”. Even as a fan, I think one can hope for a win, or even two – but further than that? Well, let’s just say nothing is impossible.
Sure, with Justin Herbert fully loaded with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, it’s clear that the offense can put up the points. That’s been evident in the past four weeks. But can the defense step up like they have been? That’s the real question. It’s clearly possible, but then again, outside of the Dolphins, the Chargers have played some pretty bad offenses throughout the course of this streak. However, on the other hand, would the Chargers have beaten the 49ers or the Chiefs if they had their offense healthy? Because the defense sure did their job then…
So, as the 2022 Chargers approach the playoffs for the first time in five years, let’s tamper the expectations, and simply enjoy watching the young QB of the future handle his first go around. Because, barring any idiotic front office moves – it looks like Herbert will be back quite often. What will happen? Who knows! Stranger things have happened, AKA the Blake Bortles-led Jaguars who made it to the AFC Championship, or the Titans upsetting the Chiefs – point is, you can’t rule out anything.
The Bolts could make it interesting, but for now, let’s keep the Chargers playoff outlook relatively at bay – because hoping and expecting are two completely different things…
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