Division in hand, Bolts will still play to win

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Monday, Dec 17, 2007
By Tom Shanahan, Chargers.com

Just a few short weeks ago Chargers head coach Norv Turner heard a steady diet of questions that didn’t including looking ahead to the playoffs.

Fast forward to the Monday afternoon following Sunday’s 51-14 win over the Detroit Lions that clinched the AFC West title, and here’s what Turner was asked at Chargers Park:

“Will you rest your starters in the last two games to prepare for the playoffs?”

Turner couldn’t be blamed if he chuckled and refreshed reporters’ memories on their former line of questioning about what was wrong with the team, but he didn’t. In fact, he said not much has changed now that the division title is in hand.

Yes, the Chargers have clinched a playoff berth, but without two more wins, they haven’t clinched their best possible seed as the No. 3 team in the AFC bracket.

“There’s a reason they have the seeding system,” Turner said. “We want to win our next two football games.”

The Chargers’ two remaining games are against teams eliminated from the playoff hunt: the 6-8 Denver Broncos Dec. 24 at Qualcomm and the 4-10 Raiders Dec. 30 at Oakland.

Turner said starters such as LaDainian Tomlinson, quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates will play for the offense to maintain its momentum.

“That becomes a big issue outside of the locker room and our group,” Turner said of resting starters. “Our guys want to play and they want to win. If we have a guy who it’s in the best interest not to play, then we’ll protect him. But for the most part we’re going to play.”

A playoff berth allows the Chargers the luxury of resting outside linebacker Shawne Merriman (knee) or defensive end Luis Castillo (ankle), but the Chargers may need to win both games to prevent dropping to the No. 4 seed.

“We’re going to be smart with Shawne and Luis and anyone who has something that is iffy,” Turner said. “The thing is, we said all along we want to be playing our best and be healthy for the playoffs. If we had to win a game to get in the playoffs, we might push it a little more with a guy. But we’re going to do what’s best for the player and the team so we can be as healthy as we can be when the postseason starts.”

The difference between the No. 3 and 4 seeds could mean playing a team such as Jacksonville that the Chargers have already played and lost to or a team such as Cleveland that the Bolts haven’t faced. It could also mean second home game in the playoffs.

The Chargers will host a Wild Card team Jan. 5 or 6 at Qualcomm Stadium and be on the road for the next game week against one of two division champions with a first-round bye.

The No. 3 seed would travel to No. 2 seed Indianapolis and the No. 4 seed to No. 1 seed to New England.

But if the Chargers beat the No. 2 seed and the No. 4 seed beats the No. 1 seed, the No. 4 seed would travel to San Diego to play the No. 3 seeded Chargers.

The odds are against such a scenario unfolding, but it happened last year. No. 3 seed Indianapolis won at No. 2 seed Baltimore the same week that No. 4 seed New England upset No. 1 seed San Diego.

That gave No. 3 seed Indianapolis a home game against New England in the AFC Championship game. The Colts went on to win the Super Bowl.

But all those scenarios are getting ahead of the game as far as Turner is concerned. He only wants to talk about beating Denver and then next week talk about Oakland.

“My feeling is this: when you get in the playoffs you’re going to go play a good team,” Turner said. “Some people think it’s an advantage to play a team your familiar with that has beaten you. There are a lot of scenarios, and I’ not get caught up in that. To go through this regular schedule and be one of the teams in the playoffs, you’re a good football team.”

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