I have lost count of how many people have asked me if it's time for Chargers fans to panic. The main reason for that is I have a math learning disability (seriously, it's been diagnosed and everything) and am not good with counting.
On social media, at the gym, in line at the grocery store, even once in the men's room. Two straight losses, both to division opponents, have a surprisingly large portion of Chargers fans stressing out. Folks, right now we need to listen to Van Wilder, who wisely said:
"Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere."
Sure, the Bolts are using backups more often the the office I.T. specialist, but most of the injured guys are going to be back in the next few weeks. The fact the team has been competitive during a stretch where their depth has been so thoroughly tested could turn out to be a positive.
The Chargers have used four different centers and used a platoon of Johnnie Troutman and rookie Chris Watt at right guard, yet Philip Rivers has played at an MVP level. They've lost, at one time or another, defensive backs Brandon Flowers, Jason Verrett and Steve Williams, as well as safety Jahleel Addae, yet they've only allowed one 300-yard passing game (Carson Palmer's 304 in the season-opener). Oh, and let's not forget the linebacking situation. Melvin Ingram only played two games before being hurt, Manti Te'o couldn't make it through three games, and Dwight Freeney has been fighting through a knee injury.
Their depth has been tested, and it finally broke down in losses to the Chiefs and Broncos. But, in all those absences the Bolts have realized they have guys who can impact games like Kavell Conner, Ricardo Mathews, Tenny Palepoi, and of course Branden Oliver. When the projected starters come back, San Diego's lineup will be even better than the one that stole the Seahawks mystique back in Week 2.
Plus, it's not like the rest of the AFC West is running away and hiding. Denver is the favorite, but they're not perfect and the Chargers will get another shot at them, this time at Qualcomm Stadium, in December. Even if the division is out of reach, the Wild Card is not a bad consolation prize.
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The main competition for the two extra spots will come from Kansas City, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and some combination of the Buffalo, Miami and New England from the East.
The Bolts control their destiny against the Chiefs (they play at Arrowhead on the final day of the season). They own the first tiebreaker on the Bills, play the Dolphins in a week, and host the Pats in December on NBC's Sunday Night Football, so they also control their destiny there. That leaves Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, two teams they do not play, but neither one has impressed of late.
The Chargers are 5-3 at the halfway point. They've had a worse record at this point in 2013, 2008, and 2007 and still made the playoffs. So, what do you say we hold off on hovering our palms over the panic button until we see what happens in Miami, and stop asking me about how bad things are right now.
Especially at the urinal.
