Basel

Since 2004, the Chargers (for the most part) have been a very good regular season team, but that has rarely carried over into the playoffs.

In 2004, they were 12-4, AFC West Division Champions, but lost at home to the Jets during Wild Card weekend. A lot of people thought they could make a run to the Super Bowl.

They were 9-7 in 2005 but missed the playoffs.

In 2006, they finished an NFL best 14-2 and at this point, everyone in San Diego thought there's no way the Chargers wouldn't make it back to the Super Bowl. But what happened? They lost at home (again) to the New England Patriots.

In 2007, they were 11-5, good enough to be Divisional Champs for the 3rd time in 4 years. This time around, things in the playoffs were a little different as the Chargers hosted the Wild Card game against the Titans, beat them, and then went on to shock the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis to get to the AFC Title game, where they lost for the 2nd straight year to the Patriots.

2008 was a terrible season regular-season wise, but the Chargers somehow managed to sneak into the playoffs where during Wild Card weekend, they would head into Indianapolis again to face the highly favored Colts - the Chargers stunned them again in Indy and went on to the 2nd round against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where their playoff hopes would end.

It seems like the Chargers have always been right on the brink of getting to the Super Bowl, but they just can't get over the hump. What needs to be done for them to finally reach their goal that has long avoided them?

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P-Rez25

they didnt play the Colts in Indy, that playoff game was in SD. for them to make it far, LT must be healthy come playoff time. the past 2 seasons hes had some pretty serious injuries and that right there would take alot of pressure off the offense. getting rid of Cotrell was a big + and getting Merriman back will make this defense return to elite status. i dont think Norv Turner is the right man to coach this team, in the past the Chargers relied on the running game to get it done, now they rely on the passing game which imo makes them soft. and we all know that one dimensional teams dont do well come playoff time...

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Basel

I knew that (about the game being in SD - no idea why it slipped my mind). Thanks, though.

I agree that if LT is healthy, it's an entirely different ball game. Back-to-back postseasons now, he's been injured. Darren Sproles came up big for us, no doubt, but without LT I can't see this team winning a ring.

The return of Merriman, like you said, is going to be huge for the defense. And I'm with you in that we should rely on the running game more, but with Philip Rivers playing so well, I think we need to just face the facts that it's now a pass first, run second team. Hopefully it works out because the window is closing little by little for this group of Chargers to get the job done.

By the way, it's nice to see you P-Rez. I thought you had disappeared for good.

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