How Good Are the 2007 San Diego Chargers?

Much is being said this week that the San Diego Chargers are a different team than when they lost to the New England Patriots 38-17 in week 2. There's no question they were playing below their capabilities early in the season. They were still adjusting to a entirely new coaching staff and had to play a difficult schedule at the start (they had to go to Green Bay the week after they lost to New England and were beat 31-24). But now the Chargers have won six in a row, none more impressive than last weeks upset of the Colts in Indy. However up until that win they really hadn't been all that impressive.

Accoring to ColdHardFootballFacts.com San Diego was 2-3 this season against "Quality Opponents". Yes, they beat the Colts twice but anyone who saw the first game in San Diego will tell you they were basically handed the game by Peyton Manning's six interceptions, an unbelievable missed FG by Adam Vinatieri and two special teams touchdowns. Philip Rivers was dreadful. Tomlinson was invisible.Who else have they beaten since November? Well they lost to Jacksonville the week after the Indy win before reeling off victories over the following: Baltimore, Tennesee, Detroit, Denver and finally Oakland to close out the regular season. Those teams had a combined record of 33-47. Not exactly the cream of the crop. Despite last weeks win it's still hard to truly say the Chargers were an elite NFL team during the 2007 season.

Regardless of what happens this weekend the Chargers can build off of this season. It's hard to believe that this team has won two more playoff games than last years 14-2 team. Perhaps getting rid of Marty was the right decision to make. The win over the Colts could be a defining moment for this team in the future. Next year, with another year of experience for Philip Rivers and a blossoming secondary to go with their already formidable linebacking crew, this will be a dangerous team and they will have to prove it against some of the best teams in the league: New England and Indy will both travel to San Diego while the Chargers will have road games against Pittsburgh, Buffalo, New Orleans and Tampa Bay.