It's Go Time!!!

It seems as if the Chargers are actually trying to escape the cellar they were once in after the loss to the Broncos at home giving them a 2-3 record and slim hope for the future. Now, after back to back wins against conference rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Oakland Raiders, the Chargers are now sitting with a fairly respectable 4-3 record.

Just as I hoped, the Ravens did what they needed to do for the Chargers, effectively ending Kyle Orton's hot (lucky) streak in a 30 to 7 domination of the Broncos in Baltimore, Sunday. The key to the Ravens defense was the pass rush presence that seemed to loom over Kyle Orton all day. The Ravens came running straight out of the gate by starting the game with an 8 yard sack by LB Jarret Johnson. From then on, the defense was constantly fired up eventually leaving Orton with a meager 152 yards passing and no touchdowns.

This is the time for the Chargers to capitalize. The Broncos face the 5-2 Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers whose gunslinger, QB Ben Roethlisberger has been nothing short of spectacular this season. The Steelers will come into Invesco Field in Denver and welcome the chance to sully the Broncos 6-1 record even more.

Next week, the Chargers head to East Rutherford, New Jersey to take on the New York Giants, a team who until these last few weeks looked like Super Bowl contenders. Luckily for the Chargers, the Giants are coming off three straight losses, but something tells me that the Giants will be playing to prove something this week. The Chargers have played well against two of the worst teams in the NFL the last two weeks, but this is nothing in comparison to Eli Manning and the Giants offense. The thing with Eli is that yes, he is a solid quarterback, but I personally feel like he is a bit overrated because of the Super Bowl ring that he has. Look at his track record this season, he has great numbers against mediocre teams, the Redskins, Buccaneers, Raiders, and Chiefs, but against significant teams, the undefeated New Orleans Saints and conference rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, Manning and his offense have fallen flat.

Now, that being said, there is no reason why the Chargers should treat Manning's offense nonchalantly, because in an environment like they have at Giants Stadium it's hard for any team to come in and get a victory, but I'm placing faith in the boys this week. These last two wins have been a booster for the Chargers and they should be firing on all cylinders at New York.

This next week is the defining point for the team. If they can get the tough road win, along with a little help from Steelers offense in Denver then they are right back in post-season consideration.