San Diego charge into NFL playoffs
December 30, 2008
NFL playoffs are on the way
The San Diego Chargers have completed a remarkable run into the NFL finals after a 52-21 rout of the Denver Broncos. For the Chargers it is the result many expected at the start of the season with the team picked to win the division however it was a surprise how they did it after coming back from 4-8 earlier in the season.
For the Broncos the last three games saw a monumental collapse as they went from having a three-game-lead with three games to play to missing the playoffs. This is the first time since division play that a team has missed out from such a position.
The Chargers become the first team since the Cleveland Browns in 1985 to win a division at 8-8. What does that mean for them? Are they going into the playoffs as the weakest team? or have they peaked at the right time of the season? The impressive win at Tampa Bay last weekend would suggest the latter.
The Chargers now are scheduled to meet Indianapolis Colts on Saturday night in the wild-card round. Last season the Chargers defeated the Colts 28-24 in the divisional playoffs. In the most recent meeting on November 23 it took a last second field goal by the Colts to defeat San Diego 23-20. It is anyones guess which San Diego team will show up for this match.
In other NFL action the New York Jets wimpered out of playoff contention with a 24-17 loss to Miami. This saw them go 1-4 over the last five games to miss the playoffs. Coach Eric Mangini has paid for the poor season ending form with his job as it was announced that he has been fired.
The Dallas Cowboys also crashed out of the playoffs with a 44-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles, thanks to other results made the playoffs. It took an upset win by the Oakland Raiders over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a Houston win over Chicago to pave the way for the Eagles. The Eagles play the NFC North champion Minnesota Vikings next Saturday.
The Vikings claimed the division with a late field goal clinching their match against the New York Giants, 20-19.
The first round of the playoffs is the Wild-Card Round. In the AFC Indianapolis play San Diego and Baltimore play Miami. In the NFC Atlanta play Arizona and Philadelphia play Minnesota.
Chargers Tomlinson in doubt for Wild Card game
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