Around the AFC West: Chiefs clinch playoffs, Raiders survive Jets
By Ellen Mathis
Los Angeles Chargers
Unlike the Raiders, the Los Angeles Chargers game was anything but exciting. If you were looking for something to nap to, this was the game for you. The Chargers hosted the New England Patriots on Sunday. The Chargers are clearly out of the playoffs while New England is still battling for first place in their division. It showed. The Patriots marched into Los Angeles and laid a whopping on the sad Chargers.
I’m not sure there is anything positive that can be said about the Chargers. Nothing.
WOW.
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 7, 2020
The Chargers' 45-0 loss to the Pats is the WORST home shutout loss suffered by an NFL team since the Steelers lost 51-0 to the Browns in 1989. pic.twitter.com/HbQnr8ETjm
That pretty much speaks for itself. This loss officially eliminated the Chargers from the playoffs and what a way to go out: 45-0. Unbelievably spectacular loss by the Chargers. The front office, including head coach Anthony Lynn, is on the hot seat and they should be. I mean, mistakes like this can’t happen on a professional football team:
The Patriots lined up to punt 5 times in this game. The #Chargers had the wrong number of players on the field for 3 of those plays. On one series, they lined for a punt with 12, got flagged and gave up the first down, then lined up with 10 four snaps later. pic.twitter.com/DOum0vObiZ
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) December 7, 2020
#Sad
At least the Chargers escaped relatively healthy! While Sam Tevi did not play this game, it was not due to injury. His wife gave birth so he (smartly) missed the game. The only injury appeared to be to rookie running back Joshua Kelley who left with an ankle injury.
Having officially been eliminated, the Chargers are now just pushing to the end of the season and a new influx of rookies – maybe even a new head coach. But first, they must host the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons under their interim coach Raheem Morris have looked like an ok team, but they certainly aren’t the cream of the crop. This is a winnable game for either team and frankly a toss-up in my mind. I’ll give it to the Falcons, though, because they seem to be playing slightly more inspired football than the Chargers.
Game time is 3:25 p.m.