From: kprashan@sdcc3.ucsd.edu (hyderabadi)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: Chargers win the AFC West
Date: 28 Dec 92 19:26:32 GMT
Organization: what.. me.. organized?



SAN DIEGO 31  SEAHAWKS 14


Aaaaaahh!! The ecstasy! The drama! The division!

SD won it's the AFC West title beating Seattle for the 2nd time this
season. SD has 11 of 12 games, 7 in a row. Their last loss was a 
heart-breaker 16-14 loss in KC on a last minute FG. 

SD got no help from Denver, who got blasted 42-20 by KC. SD went into the
game needing to win to win the division or lose and finish with the worst
wild-card spot. 

And they started out slow. Seattle took the opening kickoff and ran the ball
down their throats. Warren ran it in from 30 yds out (0-7). After that the SD 
defense made the adjustments and stopped the run. The Sea def line was giving
them problems all through the 1st half. A 25 yd pass to Lewis set up a FG
(3-7). Another long pass to Lweis for 55 yds set up another FG (6-7) but
SD lost QB Humphries on a sandwich sack with a separated left shoulder.

****INJURY-Note*****
Humphries is listed day-to-day. He may play next Sat vs. KC.
A decision will probably be made on Thurs/Fri.

Gagliano was rusty [expected], but after a half-time tongue-lashing from
Ross, SD came out firing. They took the kickoff and went 80 yds to take
the lead (13-7). The key play was a 19 yd pass to Miller on a 4th and 3 
from the Sea 37 yd line. Butts then took the Sea secondary for a 7 yd
TD ride. Sea came right back with some short passes and retook the lead
on a 2yd pass (14-13). Once again, Arnsbarger made his adjustments and
shut out Sea for the rest of the game. 

Carney kicked a long 47 yd FG with 5:17 left in the 4th to give SD
the lead for good (16-14). The defense then took over the game. Sea
QB, Stan Gelbaugh, who had played well without making mistakes self-
destructed. He looked at his receiver all the way and SD ILB Plumer  
stepped in front to make an INT and return it to the 5 yd line. Harmon
ran it in untouched for the game-killer with 3:06 left (23-14). 

****Betting-Note*****
SD is on a record run against the Las Vegas spread. Till the Sea
game, they had covered 11 straight games against the line, as favorites
or underdogs. SD was 9.5 fav, and was leading by 9 pts at this time with 
3 mins to go. Only a miracle could save the bettors who bet on SD
[including yours truly who was watching the game in Las Vegas]. 

And they got the miracle. Grossman sacked Gelbaugh in the end-zone on a
3rd and long to raise the margin to 11 (25-14). A late Carrington INT
return for a TD finished off the game (31-14, botched PT).

Game-notes:

o As mentioned earlier, Humphried 'might' play next week. He is
  listed as day-to-day.

o QB lines: Humphries: 8 of 14, 138 yds, 0 TDs, 0 INTs.
            Gagliano: 9 of 15, 125 yds, 0 TDs, 0 INTs.

o Butts: 13 carries for 68 yds.
  Bernstine: 9 for 16 yds. (short-yd sits.)

o Miller: 6 catches for 96 yds.
  Lewis: 2 for 80 yds. (two long bombs)
  Jefferson: 2 for 30. (one critical 3rd down catch on the winning drive.)
  Harmon: 3 for 27.

o Seau lead the defense with 8 tackles and 2 assists.

o INTs: Plummer (crucial!), Carrington.

o Plug: The Stardust Race and Sports Book is the best place to watch 
        football games in Las Vegas. The crowd is large, and the  
        atmosphere is perfect for football fans.


Playoff Picture:

SD wins the AFC West. 3rd best div winner. no bye week.

KC at SD: Saturday 3rd Jan. 

*IF* SD wins and Buffalo beats Houston, SD plays in Miami (Buff @ Pitt).
If things fall correctly (SD beats KC and Mia, + Buf beats Hou and Pitt),
SD could even host the AFC Championship game (vs. Buff). 

I'll post a regular season report-card in the next couple of days. 

_______________________________________________________
| Prashanth                    |                      |
| U. of California @ San Diego | prash@raman.ucsd.edu |
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Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro