The Chargers Finally Hang Up the Hang Ups

It had the makings of another "sick-to-your-stomach" game if you're Chargers fan. Peyton Manning was in a the "zone", the calls seemed to be going all in the Colts favor, Phil Rivers seemed more content to bitch and moan then play football, Gates was hobbling around and Norv Turner was popping veins and misusing his challenges and timeouts. Oh wait, I almost forgot, LT was sitting on the sidelines.

It seemed as if destiny was crashing into the Chargers bandwagon once again, much like it had last year against the Patriots. And then it happened. The Chargers stopped making excuses, looking for flags, blaming others and more importantly pouting.

The 2nd half spoke volumes for this team and just how much they'd finally turned the proverbial corner. It's easy to say, but you had the sense that Phil Rivers made a huge leap in this game before being injured and having to depart. He was faced with the prognosis of having to attack without the comforts of LT and a healthy Antonio Gates. Rivers delivered admirably and fired out the performance, I must say...I didn't see coming. Despite it all, Rivers headed to the locker room and handed the ball over to Billy Volek who looked as if he had just woken up from a long night of boozing. Yet, Volek delivered.

At this point, it would've been totally conceivable for the Chargers to throw in the towel on the season and head home griping with a load of excuses. However, that wasn't the mantra on this day. The team picked itself off the floor and everyone stepped up and delivered a gutsy victory that in short can only be described as special. An emotional Norv Turner spoke in high regards and endearment of what this victory meant for the Chargers. And honestly, putting this victory in words would only serve to diminish it's value.

The sting from last season's loss at home in the playoffs now seems like an eternity away. The surmounting pressure that surrounded their coach and this team earlier this season...is now gone. You don't have much of a soul if you don't feel a sense of relief for a guy like Turner. Much maligned this entire season, perhaps this lone win can change the verdict to a slight degree on Norv.

This was the Chargers team we expected and hoped to see all season. Well, I mean competitive and spirit wise, not roster wise. Sproles, Turner, Volek? Nobody in their right mind outside of San Diego gave the Chargers much of a chance in this game. Vegas bumped them up to a (10.5) point underdog just before kick-off. This made it a no-brainer for me to put my money on the Chargers. Yes, hindsight wagers always sound great. Anyhow, the Chargers defied odds and delivered something special for San Diego.

And that's another chance at the Patriots. Another chance at redemption, a chance to avenge everything that happened last year against this same team. Are they going to win? I'm not sure, but if the team that showed up at Indy this weekend shows up...they have a damn good chance. I'm not predicting anything, but I do know Sunday was a great day for San Diego sports and next Sunday is just another chance to celebrate. Thankfully, the Chargers finally put everything aside and didn't let their hang-ups hinder them anymore. Let's hope for more of the same in one week.

***All Photos from the San Diego Union Tribune.