Charger fans Mitchel Pellegrin and his son Justin Pellegrin behind him yell for the Chargers near the end of the game.
BILL WECHTER Staff Photo
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By: JAY PARIS - Staff Writer
Team hammers Lions to wrap up AFC West title | ∞
Charger fans Mitchel Pellegrin and his son Justin Pellegrin behind him yell for the Chargers near the end of the game.
SAN DIEGO ---- Chargers fans got an early holiday gift Sunday. Their favorite team punched its ticket to the playoffs.
With a convincing 51-14 win over the visiting Detroit Lions at Qualcomm Stadium, the Chargers clinched its postseason spot by winning its second straight AFC West division title and third in four years.
"It's huge, but we've been here before,'' said linebacker Shaun Phillips, who returned an interception for a touchdown. "We have a bigger goal that we're trying to achieve."
Few predicted the Chargers would secure a playoff invitation with two weeks remaining in the regular season. Under new coach Norv Turner, the team lost three of its first four games and appeared headed for a long season.
"It doesn't matter how you start. It's how you finish,'' said running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who rushed for 116 yards and two scores. "It isn't our main goal, but it feels good to win the division, especially with starting 1-3."
The Chargers wiggled from that dismal beginning to win eight of the next 10 games and pull away from its AFC West rivals. The team qualified for the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1994-95.
It was after the 1994 season that the team reached its lone Super Bowl, falling to the 49ers. The Chargers haven't won a playoff game since that season's AFC Championship Game, a losing streak that has reached four games.
Last season's defeat to the visiting New England Patriots in the AFC divisional round was among the reasons veteran coach Marty Schottenheimer was fired.
But that was far from the players' thoughts as they slipped on new hats and T-shirts proclaiming them AFC West champions.
"I just think we have grown as a team,'' tight end Antonio Gates said. "The first couple of months, we were learning each other. It's like, we build, we build and now we're playing our best football around this time where we need it the most, going into the postseason.''
If the Chargers win their remaining two games ---- against the Broncos on Dec. 24 and the Raiders on Dec. 30 ---- the team will enter the playoffs as the AFC's No. 3 seed.
Regardless, the team will host its opening playoff game the weekend of Jan. 5-6 against a wild-card entrant. If the Chargers prevail and are the No. 3 seed, the team's second game would be at Indianapolis against the Super Bowl champion Colts.
According to a club official, playoff tickets will be restricted to season-ticket holders and those on the team's waiting list.
If the Chargers win three playoffs games, the team will advance to Super Bowl XLII, which is Feb. 3 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
"I have such a great feeling inside about what our guys have done," Turner said. "In coaching, that's the ultimate.''
Contact staff writer Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com.
Supercharged starts
The Chargers bolted to another impressive start on Sunday. They have outscored their opponents by 62 points this season to rank second in the NFL in first quarter scoring margins.
Team Own Opp Margin
New England Patriots 124 34 +90
Chargers 102 40 +62
Indianapolis Colts 87 53 +34
Minnesota Vikings 82 51 +31
St. Louis Rams 85 54 +31
Note: Through Sunday's games.
Jaque wrote on Dec 16, 2007 7:23 PM:Finally a win Jaque can be proud of! Great job Bolts!
Don`t you ever say die wrote on Dec 16, 2007 7:54 PM:Whaaaaaaaat, Jaque ? Is Jimbo balling in his beer? I now pronounce you man & wife. AJ Smith must be doing something right. Its time to rest my mighty warriors. We`re going full boar into the playoffs . Pucker up Bilichick
Daren wrote on Dec 16, 2007 7:58 PM:I'm sure the Chargers were worried about making you proud.
sd chokers wrote on Dec 16, 2007 8:56 PM:what do the chargers and padres have in common? they both choke during playoff games, enjoy it while it lasts.
Full boar wrote on Dec 16, 2007 9:05 PM:Even though I have been criticizing Cottrell alot lately our D has performed well lately but I definitely want to see an aggressive Charger D in the playoffs.
Bobby wrote on Dec 16, 2007 9:51 PM:Con-grats to the Miami x Chargers. Was hoping there was enough reject Chargers coaches and players to win one game there. Lemon to Cam for the winning TD! Great win at home,,,, been a long time sense we put up 50! After 46 years could we now have our first all pro corner? Cro has more pics in 6 starts than Jam in 6 years. Thats not saying much however, our LB's, and some linemen, have more pics than Jam
AZ CHARGER FAN wrote on Dec 17, 2007 12:36 AM:Can't Wait to see my Chargers come to AZ and win a BIG GAME!! GO BOLTS!!!
Whoopity Do wrote on Dec 17, 2007 6:23 AM:Let me know when they cure cancer ... then I'll be impressed.
Wow wrote on Dec 17, 2007 8:26 AM:here comes the big Super bowl win for the Las Vegas chargers.
Cruiser wrote on Dec 17, 2007 8:27 AM:I listened to the first half on the radio while driving home to Temecula. When I got home and turned on the TV, I was dismayed to see the Dallas Philadelphia game on Channel 11! I drove back to SD to see the game! Afterwards, I was watching Fox news and the gal says "well since there's no football in So Cal, we are going to check in on Tiger Woods." What? It's amazing how little respect San Diego teams get from the media.
SurferJoe wrote on Dec 17, 2007 10:00 AM:Choker Reality: Is just a concept that TRUTH will always replace. Enjoy your win while you can ... See Ya In AZ. Ha! Ha! Ha!
stowellka wrote on Dec 17, 2007 10:00 AM:why weren't the chargers on ? i'm in murrieta ,whats the deal
Gary in Murrieta wrote on Dec 17, 2007 11:26 AM:Everyone knows we only get los Angeles Television here. I have written to my cable company for years. It does not matter that I work in San Diego and spend most of my time there.
Laughter time wrote on Dec 17, 2007 2:37 PM:it's time to get ready for the Chargers post-season choke. I love it when the Chargers lose in the first round of the play-offs. Seeing the disappointment of their fans makes me laugh laugh laugh. Why? Because the Chargers only get to the play-offs because the other teams in their division are weak. The team wants a new stadium as if they were a good team when in actuality they are on the bad side of mediocre. Win a few superbowls before you try and extort a new stadiium from the tax payers.
Bill wrote on Dec 17, 2007 3:11 PM:I live in Murrieta and have Dish network with the SD package. I watched the game on Fox. Just call Dish Network to get it.....threaten to switch companies and they will give it for free.
Concerned-1 wrote on Dec 17, 2007 3:42 PM:The thing that gets me is, who in L.A. wants to see Dallas and Philly more than the Chargers? Some meat head made the decision based on zero information. Lame.
Concerned-1 wrote on Dec 17, 2007 4:33 PM:Easy on the Bolts there Laugher. They are an excellent team and getting tuned up at the right time. In case you haven't noticed, they are in line for the number three seed in all of football. Weak division? Most years (granted not this one) the AFC West is one of the toughest in football. So do us a favor and jump off this bandwagon and take your sick sense of humor with you.
Karl wrote on Dec 17, 2007 7:01 PM:Hey Gary, move south and quit congesting our freeways in Escondido then you'll get the Charger games. Can anyone explain the Image verification on certain blogs? Ed?
James wrote on Dec 17, 2007 7:11 PM:Good going Chargers. And for the whiney boys and Raiders fans, it is how you play the game, it's not about knifing people in the stands.
Norv wrote on Dec 17, 2007 10:13 PM:How you like me now? All we need to do is run it up the middle baby!! Actually, I turned the team over to Rivera four weeks ago. I hang out in PB and TJ during the week while the team practices and show up on the sidelines on Sundays. What ever works!
Sam wrote on Dec 18, 2007 9:46 AM:Hey Roy, Roy wrote on Nov 26, 2007 10:19 AM: " You bloggers crack me up. We win and we are playoff bound; we lose so its time for a coaching change. My message stays consistent: This team is not playoff caliber and the coaching is horrible. That is why we are inconsistent and that is why we will be lucky if 8-8 is our final record. " So which is it MR. CONSISTENCY...10-6 or 8-8? Love to hear the explanation for this whole "I changed my prediction in the pre-season" Hi I'm Roy and I voted for John Kerry my FLIP/FLOP BUDDY... ... ... ... ...HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... ...?
Joe wrote on Dec 18, 2007 10:14 AM:After Jaque promised to "be here" on Monday after his STUPID predictions about the Chargers losing to the pussy cats, and also about them supposedly not being able to score any points (even Jaque would have to concede that 51 points against any NFL opponent is noteworthy), the embarrasment must be too humiliating for him to come out from under his little rock. Let's all send him some paper towels to wipe all the egg of his face. Hey Jaques, the Chargers are AFC West DIVISON CHAMPS again-the 3rd time in the last 4 years-so deal with it! The Chargers appear to be peaking at just the right time and if that indeed is the case I doubt there are any other playoff teams looking forward to playing them especially with Merriman and Castillio coming back from injuries. Go Chargers!
Doug wrote on Dec 18, 2007 10:17 AM:Flip flop, flip flop, flip flop...sounds like Roy walking past Sam. "I voted for it before I voted against it." I guess his losing boat was not "swift" enough.
Mike wrote on Dec 18, 2007 11:35 AM:AFC WEST CHAMPS!! AGAIN! ENOUGH SAID UNTIL THE PLAYOFFS.
Big Deal wrote on Dec 18, 2007 1:17 PM:Being the AFC West Champ is like being the prettiest pig at a beauty contest...not really that impressive.
BoltDan wrote on Dec 18, 2007 1:36 PM:It is easy for all in here to pop off and spout off their predictions... I stay with what I have been saying... NOTE: someone said third division title in 4 years... well 2 of those was Marty...Note: someone said Cromartie has more INT's in 6 games then Jammer in his whole career... TRUE THAT! Free Cro and get rid of Flo and switch Jammer to safety. Next.. The team needs to get healthy and play "light's out" if they expect to not flop in the post season... So if they beat whoever comes here for the first game (hopefully not Jacksonville) but lose to the second round...do we have to keep Norv/Cotrell ??? Go get'em BOLTS.
PAL52 wrote on Dec 18, 2007 2:07 PM:Ah, this is more like it. Jammer haters, Raiderfan looking forward to Charger chokes (but not backward to that last Super Bowl, eh?) because the future looks as bad as Raider Al's latest leisure suit. ``Stickem'' Cromartie is a Pro Bowler no doubt, but do you think he's running around behind Jammer and his man to get those picks? Jammer's guy is covered, and has been for three years. As for choking, hey, we're getting used to the idea of being a perennial power, the Raiders of the 21st Century, if you want to look at it that way. We'll see how it goes in January. Good luck, Raiderfan. It's tough going to the draft every year with 6, 7, 8 holes to fill. Chargerfan knows all about it, but it's a fading memory. Just like the Raiders.
PAL52 wrote on Dec 18, 2007 2:16 PM:AFC West is unusually weak this year, for the first time in many years. A wild card usually comes out of the AFC West, sometimes two. But aside from the runaways (NE, Dal, GB, Indy) the division champs or champs to be are all 9-5. That's just the NFL. Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl after an 11-5 season. And, wow, swiftboat references are retarded no matter where they appear.
Aloha wrote on Dec 18, 2007 2:48 PM:8 Charger players get a big Honalulu hug and kiss from Jaque
Jim wrote on Dec 18, 2007 3:00 PM:Concerned 1, I'm with you. Having to sit and watch Romo and the cowboys while listening to the Chargers put up 51 was a travesty. Some IDIOT at Fox Sports made the decision at the last minute. I've emailed the Pres and VP of Fox, wussies won't answer. Oh... and Jaque... Eat crow loser boy.
NOToptimist wrote on Dec 18, 2007 3:08 PM:Regarding the cancer comment....there's no money in a cure. That's why very few diseases are "cured". All the bucks are made in the treatment. Go ahead and cheer for the Bolts, nobody is curing cancer.
Mo wrote on Dec 18, 2007 3:10 PM:I got a feeling the Chargers will make some noise this time in the playoffs. Hopefully Rivers will continue to sync up with Chambers like he has lately. If Shawne/Shaun are healthier in the playoffs this year than they were last, they should wreak some serious havoc on opposing offenses. I say they go to at least the AFC title game.
Frank wrote on Dec 18, 2007 3:21 PM:Hey PAL 52..Scoreboard! Cro does not get his interceptions behind Jammer because that is where the RECEIVERS are-like Caldwell was when he toasted Jammer and the Chargers in the playoff game last year. Cro gets his interceptions many ways including LEAPING and laying out almost horizontal making a SPECTACULAR ONE HANDED catch and has the MOST INTERCEPTIONS OF ANY CHARGER EVER in just 6 measley starts not to mention LEADING THE ENTIRE NFL! It's now called "Crime Time." Not bad for a 2nd year player with only one start at FSU. Congratulations to the 8 Charger Pro Bowl players!
BoltDan wrote on Dec 18, 2007 4:58 PM:YOU said it all FRANK (were you being frank?) Jammer is toasted on many plays every game and also leads the team in PI's which means the opposing team isn't afraid to throw at him... as I have said all along get Jammer to the safety position. He will do well against the run and occasional TE going out... Jammer-lovers always show up and call us names when we call him out, what is up with that.. Cro should have been starting from day one but at least he is in now. We need him IF we end up playing Cleveland/ Colts/ Patsies to get to the big game. Hey I can hope!
Rob wrote on Dec 18, 2007 9:06 PM:Hasn't anyone noticed we wouldnt be talking about all these recent wins if it wasnt for Chambers? CC has extended so many dying drives this season! Good Job Chambers! Go Bolts!
Rob wrote on Dec 18, 2007 9:09 PM:Except for maybe Mo
Jesse wrote on Dec 19, 2007 8:03 AM:yes, I live in Temecula and could not wait to be entertained for 3 hours. duh! Dallas was on FOX ! I searched my guide; I called Dish..the young female (who seemed to know nothing of her job) could not even tell me who was playing on what sports channel and why the Chargers were not on t.v. Just kept saying; "sorry, sorry, and more sorries". thank God I was invited to an early Xmas get-together and went just in time to enjoy the food and wine and beautiful people there...charger fan 36 years with all ups and downs and all the clowns...Go Chargers and folks...enjoy life.
ADEE wrote on Dec 19, 2007 7:44 PM: HEY BOLTDAN, ARE YOU A RAIDER FAN IN CHARGER DISGUISE? AND THE JAMMER BASHING IS SO 3 YEARS AGO. WATCH THE GAME, LISTEN TO THE GAME. AND YOU WILL SURELY HEAR THE SPORTSCASTERS CALLING THE GAME, GIVING JAMM PROPS ON HIS CORNER PLAY. WHY DO YOU THINK CRO HAS 10 PICKS? HE'S A GREAT CORNER, AND THEY ARE NOT THROWING TO JAMMS SIDE!
PAL52 wrote on Dec 19, 2007 8:07 PM:Boltdan, Frank: Of COURSE you get picks when they're throwing it AWAY from the other cornerback. That's the way it works. Jammer will get his picks or his walking papers when they start throwing AWAY from Cromartie. That's how the NFL works. Look at Willie Brown's stats, Deion Sanders' stats. After their first few years in the league they rarely got near the leader board for picks. Jammer has become a consistent cover guy and he's a strong downfield tackler. He got beat one on one on a perfect throw from Brady to Reche and he scored because SD sent the safeties over to help Cro, who'd given up about eight catches in that playoff game and needed the help. I'm not taking anything away from Cromartie; he's a phenomenal athlete, and we've got him because of a great, gutsy first-round pick by AJ Smith, another guy so many people around here love to hate. For now, the Jammer bashing is old, moldy crank talk and it's pointless with two games left.
PAL52 wrote on Dec 19, 2007 8:18 PM:As for Cro starting from day one, you really haven't paid any attention at all. Cro was just like everyone else, getting roasted on slants and blowing tackles and trying to jump coverages in those first four games -- the whole defensive backfield was a sorry mess. I love the guy, but he's still learning the game and he's bloomed as the Charger D as a whole has solidified. When he's learned the position, with his athleticism, he's got the potential to be a genuine shutdown corner, the first since Sanders, and his interceptions will plummet and he'll go to the Pro Bowl every year. Jammer's best stat year was two years ago and the Chargers couldn't wait to sign him up for a long stretch.
BoltDan wrote on Dec 20, 2007 9:22 AM:They signed Jammer because he is AJ's boy... He gets beat week after week... I am at the game watching his 20 yard cushion (when the need 10 for a first) on guys because he is not fast enough to cover them... Cro IS (and this is probably the only thing I might agree with you on PAL) still learning the speed of the game... but imagine how good he will be once he really catches on... YES I have been and always will be a Jammer hater but only because it drives me crazy that people stick up for a medicre corner like he is great... and yes listen to the morons on TV for your advice of who is good and bad... see how that works... Dan Deridorf/Randy Dorkcross are ...every week... so don't get me started on those guys.
BoltDan wrote on Dec 20, 2007 9:26 AM:OH and PAL did you watch the game agianst the Lions they were throwing away from CRO and COMPLETING their passes when Jam was covering... Funny how many passes the guys caught that were being covered by TOAST were... then Jam makes one decent play and you lovers point and say see he is good. MOST unconsistant corner in the league. GO BOLTS!!!!
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