The oddities of the Chargers season are numerous. If the conversation was limited to, "Things the Chargers managed to do in 2012 that make you scratch your head in awe," we could sit around for a couple of hours and not run out of things to talk about.
For now, let's concentrate on one very glaring deficiency. The Chargers are 2-5 at Qualcomm Stadium, the first time they've had a losing record at home under Norv Turner.
The Bolts had turned their barn in Mission Valley into something like a fortress. From 2007 to 2011 (the first 5 years under Norv Turner) San Diego went 29-11 at home. Only the Patriots had a better home record during that time.
But this year, the Chargers haven't just lost at home. They've had a couple of embarrassments.
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The Falcons and Panthers outscored them a combined 58-10. It's just strange. How can a team suddenly become so bad in its home town?
Coach Turner must be wondering the same thing.
History tells us, if you do not win at home, you will not make the playoffs. Only twice in NFL history has a team (in a non-strike year, so throw 1982 out) gone to the post-season with a losing record at home. The 2002 Cleveland Browns and 2006 New York Giants both went 3-5 in their own stadiums, got in to the playoffs at 8-8, and lost their first playoff game.
The fact most of the games have been blacked out has something to do with it. It's no fun playing in your own stadium when nobody's there to yell for you. But, it's a whole lot of fun to go in to somebody else's city and stick it to all the people yelling at you.
