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It’s pretty sad the topic that’s bringing me out of the woodwork. The Chargers and Padres. This was one of the many awful weekends in SD sports history. I’ll try to keep it short, since I don’t want to relive the all-too-fresh-all-too-painful memories.

The Bolts lost at home to the lowly Chiefs, who they made look like Super Bowl champions. The only thing right about the game was LT in the first half. I can’t say anything about LT in the 2nd half because he was only given the ball 6 times. 14-2 last year. 1-3 this year. Lost and dejected, I’d be surprised at this point if the Chargers can pull out a winning season and even make the playoffs in a weak AFC West division.

The Padres blew the NL Wild Card decision game to the Rockies. After saving Peavy’s bacon from a game considered non-Peavy-esque, but normal for any other pitcher, the Padres took the Rockies to 13 innings, at Coors Field, on the national stage. Guess what? They blew it. After getting a go-ahead 2-run shot from the new Mr. October, Scott Hairston, Hoffy proceeds to give up 3 in the bottom of the 13th, all ending on a terrible call at the plate. His 2nd consecutive blown save in as many opportunities, the first of which he blew against the Brewers 2 days ago, which would have given the Pads the NL Wild Card.

I guess all this drama and heartbreak makes it all that much sweeter when the Chargers and/or Padres win it all…but I gotta tell ya - it’s fucking killing me.

Redemption feels good. After a gut-wrenching last minute loss to the Steelers on MNF last season, the Chargers came back this season to defeat the defending Super Bowl Champs. Not only was this victory another mark in the W column, it marked the coming out party for new starting QB Phillip Rivers. Playing second to Drew Brees, Rivers took the reins this season after Brees skipped town to play for the New Orleans Saints. Rivers looked composed, solid, and fearless. The guy stayed in the pocket long enough to make throws, rebounded after being sacked, made key 3rd down conversions, and even scrambled when needed. More importantly, Rivers solidified his role as the leader of the team and showed that the Chargers are more than a 1-trick pony with LT. Now that Rivers has come of age, so to speak, the Chargers looks terribly deadly on paper. With an overwhelming defense and the best 1-2 running combo in the league with LT and Burner Turner, the Chargers now pose a threat in the air as well. Let’s hope this marks the official end to Martyball. Something tells me though Martyball will never die, which makes me terribly upset. Regardless, the Chargers have all the pieces to the playoff puzzle. To be honest, if the Bolts don’t capture the AFC West and make it deep into the playoffs, I’ll be extremely disappointed. GO CHARGERS.