From: kprashan@sdcc3.ucsd.edu (hyderabadi)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: Chargers finish off the Ducks
Date: 21 Dec 92 17:29:39 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: what.. me.. organized?



SAN DIEGO 39  DUCKS 14


Wow! SD went out and manhandled the Ducks. It wasn't a pretty game from
the point of view of a competitive game. In front of the smallest crowd
for a Duck game [including ~3000 SD fans who made the trip North in a 
number of charter buses with name like "Seau Express", "Harmon express",
etc.], SD clinched a playoff berth. They are the first team ever to start
off a season 0-4, and make it to the playoffs. IF they win in Seattle
next week (they are 9.5 pt favorites), they win the division outright.

The Chargers scored first and scored often. They were up 3-0 after the 
1st Q after a Carney 42 yd FG. The next time they got as close as the 
6 yd line and kicked another FG (6-0). On their 3rd possession, they 
got their 1st TD. Humphries hung in the face of a blitz and found an
open Miller for the score. Meanwhile, the defense was sending LA in 
the reverse direction. The Ducks had a grand total of -5 yds in 3 
possessions. On their 1st play, Seau tackled Dickerson for a loss. Mims
batted down a pass on next play, and Schroeder was sacked on the 3rd
play.

The only time LA got going and was in SD territory, Gill Byrd picked off
a pass, and then SD struck the killer blow. On the 50 yd line, on a 3rd
and two, the LA FS Eddie Anderson bit on a play-action, and then went to
cover the wrong guy underneath. Humphries hit a wide open Nate Lewis
up top and the game was finished there and then (20-0).

SD got 3 more FGs and a TD set up by a sensational return by Seau after 
making an INT. LA got a couple of late TDs when the SD 2nd team defense 
was on the field.

Marcus Allen was given a standing ovation by Raiders [and Chargers'] fans
whenever he made a play in the 2nd half. Folks in the expensive seats right
under Al Davis' box were making obscene gestures in his general direction
towards the end of the game.

Game-Notes:

o Humphries is the MVP of this team. Harmon a close second. Humphries 
  was 17 of 32 for 228 yds, 2 TDs, 0 INTs. On top of that they dropped
  3 passes in the end-zone that ended up in FGs.

o If they [SD] had really tried, they could have scored 50 pts yesterday.

o Running game: 117 yds, Butts 52 yds, Bernstine 11 yds, 
  Harmon 20, Bienemy 29.

o Byrd, Seau, and Frank had INTs.

o If you were watching the game on TV, you must have noticed Seau, Bienemy
  and other Chargers point to the stand on the left after making big plays.
  The ~3000 Chargers fans who had made the bus trip were cheering in that 
  stand.

o The most memorable newspaper picture today morning is that of Humphries
  throwing a ball into that same stand after the game was over. 

o Approx 3500 fans showed up at Jack Murphy Sunday night to welcome home
  the players returning from LA in their buses.


Playoff Picture:

SD in *IN*!!

If SD wins next week in Seattle, they win the AFCWest and If Pittsburgh
loses to Cleveland, SD gets a first round bye. If Pitt, Buff and Mia
lose, SD wins the AFC home field advantage thro the playoffs (on the
basis of better conf winning %.)


_______________________________________________________
| Prashanth                    |                      |
| U. of California @ San Diego | prash@raman.ucsd.edu |
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