Thanks San Diego!

Did you watch the New England Patriots vs. San Diego Chargers game this afternoon?

If so, you're asking yourself did the Pats win it, or Chargers turn it over? The Chargers had a total of 4 turnovers (3 "fumbles", 1 INT) and if not for such sloppy play, the Patriots may have never moved the ball in the first half. The Patriots had less then 40 total yards in the first half and yet still led 10-3 - lucky? Yea, that's just how bad the Chargers turning over the ball was. During the game, the Chargers had two "fumbles" that were simply lack of awareness.

I don't recall the names, and am too lazy to look them up, but here is the gist of it. First, guy catches the ball, goes to ground while never being touched. Rather then getting up and running for more yards he drops the ball - this would be a fumble - and soon became the Patriots ball. The second not heads-up play was a backwards lateral pass that was never caught. As the whistle was never blown, the Patriots picked up the live ball and took it inside San Diego's 10 yard line. Let me remind you, San Diego was ranked top in both offense and defense. If this teaches us anything, it is that stats aren't always everything. Coming into the game 2-4, San Diego had a lot to prove. And prove something they did... a team can pass for all the yards they want, and can hold the other team to as few yards as they can - but if you turnover the ball 4 times in a game you are bound to lose.

Since I'm ranting about this game, I have to question Belichick and his decision to go for it on 4th and 1 around midfield with a 3-point lead in the 4th quarter. Come on Bill! Did we not learn anything from the incident against the Colts? The entire world knows you have more faith in your offense then defense, but this offense converts on 3rd down less then 50% on the season. Odds aren't great, and you're giving the opponent great field position if you don't convert. Just be lucky the right upright isn't a few inches wider, otherwise we'd have to hear all week about how Bill has lost his mind.

At the end of the day, a win is a win. The Patriots are now 5-1, tied for first in the AFC East with the New York Jets. Let's enjoy the win for the night, and prepare for old man river next week.