Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory...

They had them. This was the year. Brady was held in check, the Chargers defense intercepting him 3 times and holding him to some gawd-awful passer rating (if you believe those things). LT had nearly 100 yards rushing in the *first half*.

Up 21-10 in the third quarter, the REAL Chargers showed up. I hate it when history rears its ugly head.

Chargers defense is playing well. Hold Pats to a punt. Erik Parker muffs it and, instead of just falling on the ball, tries to pick it up and run. SMASH! There goes the ball. Thankfully, Chargers defense steps up and holds the Pats to a field goal.

Chargers ahead 21-13.

Chargers just can't seem to put a drive together. Defense has already missed one interception and...OH THEY JUST PICKED OFF BRADY AGAIN! WAIT! MARLON MCREE JUST HAD IT STRIPPED AND RECOVERED BY THE PATS! NOOOOOOO!!!

New England--actually, Tom Brady and Jabar Gaffney (no relation to the folks at Gaffney's Wine Bar, BTW)--worked its way down the field for a score (thrown to Reche Caldwell, another former Charger player who came back to haunt them). Down by two, they go for the two-point conversion and score.

Tied at 21. Here we go again.

Chargers can't put anything together for what seems like the 10th drive in a row. Punt away.

Time running out, Brady works the Pats down the field for the go-ahead field goal. Under 1:00 to play.

Chargers return the kickoff to their own 35 or so. Haphazardly work their way down the field and into field goal range. 54-yarder--Kaeding's longest of his career.

For all the marbles and a chance to play the Manning Family.

Snap is good. Kick is...

Wide right.

Again.

The irony is that the last time Kaeding missed a kick was *two years ago*.

In the playoffs against the Jets. To win in OT. Wide right.

I'm to pissed to watch any of the replays or post-game stuff. Perhaps in another day or so I'll bring myself to check them out.

Oh well, at least the Padres got Greg Maddux...