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Franklinnoble · 01-22-2004, 04:07 PM

San Diego
January, 2010

Nobody expected the last game at Qualcomm Stadium to be the AFC title game. Even when the Chargers had managed to win the AFC West with an 11-5 regular season record, they didn't have home field advantage or a bye week, and nobody figured that they'd win two games AND face another underdog in the championship game.

But that was exactly what had happened. The Chargers had dispatched the Raiders in the Wild Card round by a score of 27-19. That set up a divisional game at New Jersey, which they narrowly won by a score of 24-21. Cincinnati won at Pittsburgh, and while they had the same record as the Chargers, they weren't division champs, so the Bengals were visiting San Diego.

Franklin sat in his owner's box, looking out over the first sell-out game he'd ever seen as the owner of the Chargers. Even the Wild Card game had plenty of empty seats - people were still skeptical of the Chargers chances. But they were now one win from the Super Bowl.

Alvin Lane hadn't even been all that great. While throwing for 3,500 yards, his passing rating was a modest 78.5, and many fans still wanted Derek Williams to get a shot. But Lane had taken them this far - he would get the start today. Ricky Williams was the centerpiece of the offense. Even though he was getting old for a running back, he had managed a career high 1344 yards this season.

The stadium had been mostly empty all season. Would a run deep into the playoffs win back the fans and improve the team's fortunes?

01-22-2004, 04:07 PM	#26
Franklinnoble Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Placerville, CA	San Diego January, 2010 Nobody expected the last game at Qualcomm Stadium to be the AFC title game. Even when the Chargers had managed to win the AFC West with an 11-5 regular season record, they didn't have home field advantage or a bye week, and nobody figured that they'd win two games AND face another underdog in the championship game. But that was exactly what had happened. The Chargers had dispatched the Raiders in the Wild Card round by a score of 27-19. That set up a divisional game at New Jersey, which they narrowly won by a score of 24-21. Cincinnati won at Pittsburgh, and while they had the same record as the Chargers, they weren't division champs, so the Bengals were visiting San Diego. Franklin sat in his owner's box, looking out over the first sell-out game he'd ever seen as the owner of the Chargers. Even the Wild Card game had plenty of empty seats - people were still skeptical of the Chargers chances. But they were now one win from the Super Bowl. Alvin Lane hadn't even been all that great. While throwing for 3,500 yards, his passing rating was a modest 78.5, and many fans still wanted Derek Williams to get a shot. But Lane had taken them this far - he would get the start today. Ricky Williams was the centerpiece of the offense. Even though he was getting old for a running back, he had managed a career high 1344 yards this season. The stadium had been mostly empty all season. Would a run deep into the playoffs win back the fans and improve the team's fortunes?