I saw the play that you called a "questionable" holding call. WHen I watched it live I jumped out of my chair and yelled "HOLDING". They called the holding on the wrong guy though. They called it on the TE which I didnt think was holding, but another lineman grabbed a linebacker so hard that he turned him all the way around. I think they just called out the wrong number becauase the TE was about a yard away from the play.

I also saw the pass interfernce call. He was draped all over Randel-El like a cheap suit. Buckley commits pass interference on almost every play.

I agree that Indy is going to be a hell of a tough matchup and I dont mind saying I hope they get upset before they get to Pittsburgh.

If/When they meet, we can make a friendly wager Ice. I don't particularly care for Indy, but I hate both Pitt and NE so by default I'm rooting for the Colts. I also like the Chargers this year but I don't see them making it through the playoffs.

The Chargers are a fun team to root for just because theyve been doormats for so long. I also like Brees. I think theyre still in a little over their heads with the powerhouse teams though. Without looking at their schedue to verify, I think its failry soft.

I just checked, & the Chargers have had a reasonably tough schedule actually. Their losses are (in reverse chronological order):

Colts by 3 (OT) - in Indy
Falcons by 1 - in Atlanta
Broncos by 10 - in Denver
Jets by 6 (@ SD)

All very good teams.

Before the Colts game, SD had won 8 in a row! They weren't playing any great teams during that run, though. The best teams they beat are Jacksonville & Denver.

Anyway, I agree that SD is a longshot but it'd be fun to see them surprise people.

Does anyone remember that SD had the absolute worst record of any team last year which of course gave them the #1 pick in the draft?
How they turned it around that fast I dont know but I know its the biggest turn around (record wise) in NFL history.
They'll lose in the playoffs, but still its amazing what theyve done.

Marty opened the offence up, they went and got McCardell and play good defence and run the ball well. Thats why they went from worst to first

McCardell was a good move, but Schottenhiemmer doesnt know the first thing about offense. His teams have always been boring on offense. He mustve stopped massing with the offense and let them play.
SD's defense isnt great. Its 14th which is just above average.
Brees is in a contract year and is playing his ass off
Gates was a great find
McCardell was a great pick up
Thomlinson is a freak
and theyve got a few good young WRs

I think SD has a chance in the playoffs. They outplayed Indy and should have come away with the win I think. Their D is solid and when you look at their losses they were 4 losses to good teams by small margins. They could be 14-1 right now if a couple little things had gone their way. Not having home field advantage after the first round is gonna hurt a lot no doubt but I think they would battle NE and Pitt tough and give them a run for their money.

The Bills probably will make it because Pittsburgh has several knicked up guys who Im sure wont play much, if at all.