The San Diego Chargers won the hearts of many people in 2008. After losing their star defensive player Shawne Merriman to a serious knee injury early, the up and down Chargers almost became the laughingstock of the NFL with their inconsistent game play.
As the season wore on, there were doubts across the league that San Diego would even make the playoffs. Some even dubbed them the letdown, or underachiever, of 2008. After wrapping up the first half of the season with a 3-5 record, the Chargers were luckily just 1-1 in the AFC West looking for some glimmer of hope to base the second half of the 2008 season on.
After coming out strong with a divisional win over Kansas City, the Chargers dropped three straight leaving them with a dissappointing record of 4-8.
Story lines were everywhere looking for Norv Turner's job resignation on a silver platter, but the cool and calm Turner had other plans. With three of their last four games being against division foes, the makings were there for a potential storybook ending. And so after three solid wins and a Denver loss to Buffalo, who previously defeated San Diego in week seven, the stage was set for one of the most storied comeback seasons in NFL history.
The downward-spiraling Broncos were no match for the streaking San Diego Chargers in a twist of fate that had just about everybody scratching their head. So things worked out as most predicted and San Diego won the AFC West. Phew, it's even exciting to re-cap!
They did not stop there though. After losing to Indianapolis earlier in the year, the Chargers managed to get a playoff win under their belt, leaving no question that this team, when playing to its potential, is as good or better than any team in the NFL. Well why didn't you just say so?
A playoff loss to the now Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers is what it took to send this gutsy squad packing for the season. One thing is for sure, not only were the media and fans reassured of this team's ability, but so were the players themselves.
Who could pick against a team who went through all of that? Not me for certain. I think that this year will be far more cut and dry for the San Diego Chargers. With the return of Merriman and the addition of rookie first round draft pick Larry English from Northern Illinois, this defense looks to be solidified again.
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