Chargers closing out season against Redskins

There won’t be much at stake for the Chargers when they host the Redskins in the final game of the season this Sunday. San Diego has already clinched the AFC west and the number two seed in the conference, which will give them a bye week for the first round of the playoffs. Probably the most important aspect of the Chargers game plan will be when to pull their starters out although they would like to end the season on an eleven game winning streak if they could.

For the Redskins it’s been a long and disappointing season. Washington will enter Qualcomm Stadium with a record of 4-11 and likely will play their last game under head coach Jim Zorn who has been heavily criticized all year. Zorn’s play calling and coaching style was certainly part of the problem for the Skins, but the team proved to be lacking in many areas, especially at quarterback. Jason Campbell has not developed into the starter Washington had hoped for as he struggled once again under center with only 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He was also sacked 42 times, which doesn’t say much for the Redskins offensive line.

The Redskins have been embarrassed in each of their last two games, getting blown out by the Giants 45-12 and shut out by the Cowboys 17-0. Both games were at home, but home field advantage seemed to do little to inspire the Skins. Some guys may play hard this Sunday because their jobs are on the line, but the Chargers have to like their chances even with most of their own starters getting limited playing time. It’s an opportunity to win their 13 game this year, but it’s also an opportunity to rest up players who are nursing injuries to get ready for the post season.

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The Chargers will send five players to the Pro Bowl this year with Phillip Rivers headlining the pack. Rivers had a superb season a year ago but was snubbed from the Pro Bowl selection. In 2009 Rivers threw for over 4100 yards, 27 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. He’ll have a chance to pad some of those stats, but it’s not likely that he’ll play beyond halftime. The Chargers can’t risk injury to their star quarterback if they want to go deep into the playoffs.

This is the fourth season in a row that the Chargers have won their division. They have had some memorable playoff victories over that span, but ultimately have fallen short of their goal of winning a Super Bowl. This could finally be their year, but the road to the Super Bowl could go through Indianapolis, who has home field throughout the playoffs. However, the Chargers have had success against Peyton Manning and the Colts, eliminating them in each of the last two postseasons. Sunday’s game against the Redskins will be more or less a meaningless tune up, but as soon as the final whistle blows the Chargers focus will be on one goal, the Super Bowl.

By Steven Mondelli
ProFootball-fans.com San Diego Chargers Correspondent