Those standings look a little strange don't they? First of all, it's kind of funny that the top two and the bottom two teams have the same records. Second of all, it's starting to resemble last year's standings more and more. For the second year in a row, it looks like the division will come down to the second match-up between the Chargers and Broncos. The game will be played in Denver this season but the momentum of the teams in certainly the same. The Chargers have won 4 in a row and the Broncos have lost 3 in a row. This season there will still be games to be played but the losing team will essentially have to win out to win the division. The Raiders and the Chiefs will actually play a big part as potential spoilers; the Broncos play the Chiefs twice and the Raiders once more. If the Broncos lose on Sunday they will have to sweep those three games and I don't expect those two teams to roll over with a big chance to play spoiler against a division opponent. The Chargers play the Chiefs once more at Qualcomm after the Broncos game which will be their last divisional game.

Click the jump to see where all the teams are at

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More photos » by Lenny Ignelzi - AP

"I put my left foot in, I put my right foot in....what do I shake all about?" (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

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from ProFootballTalk.com

As expected, the woman whom Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman allegedly battered and falsely imprisoned has filed suit as a result of an incident occurring in early September.

Per TMZ.com, Tila Tequila Nguyen claims that Merriman has a bad temper and a drug problem, that he grabbed her, "shook her like a rag doll," choked her, and threw her down.  She also claims that Merriman "humiliated" her because of the fact that she's bisexual.

I'm not taking this seriously. Considering the police decided not to press charges, I think Tila's legal team is going to have a hard time getting a verdict in their favor.

However, I doubt that's the point. This seems like a PR move (good for her, bad for him). It's just another way for Tila to keep her name in the papers.

More photos » by Denis Poroy - AP

5 days ago: San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson slips through the Philadelphia Eagles defense while scoring on a 20-yard run during the third quarter of a NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

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Whew, that was an odd game.  The offense looked great, even the rushing offense, but the defense played soft all game.  It was almost a copy of the team that went 2-2 to start the season instead of the Chargers squad that has won it's last 4 games.

Either way, the San Diego Chargers coaching staff went into this game with a plan to stop the big plays, hold the Eagles to FGs and score TDs with Philip Rivers and LaDainian Tomlinson.  That plan worked, and the Broncos losing to the Redskins was just icing on the cake.  The winner of next week's mega-huge game will not only be alone in 1st, but they'll have a full game lead and the Chargers' next two opponents are the Chiefs and Browns.  This has huge, huge, HUGE potential.

Although I have some clear people in my mind for Bolts & Dolts tomorrow, your input in the comments is more than welcome.  Help to make sure I don't leave anybody out.

More photos » by Julie Jacobson - AP

San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) shows off the result of a surgical procedure in which his hand was replaced by a magnet that attracts footballs. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

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NFL Rumors - Rumor Central - ESPN
On pace for their third-lowest seasonal total for running back carries ever -- and going for a league-worst 3.1 yards for each of those carries -- the San Diego Chargers have clearly de-emphasized the ground game this season. Whenever an offense has that big of a disparity, one must wonder if it's the coach's scheme or the players.

In the previous two years under Norv Turner, the Chargers still relied on the running game. Last season, they were middle of the pack in total yardage, carries and yards-per-carry; furthermore, in 2007, the team was seventh in both yardage and attempts, and eighth in YPC.

In other words, it's personnel, and the player on the chopping block appears to be LaDainian Tomlinson, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. After a bizarrely public feud with GM A.J. Smith this offseason, LT returned to the team, but with much smaller checks being deposited in his bank account. As the paper's Kevin Acee opines, LT "can no longer win games for [San Diego]."

Chargers passing game is coming through - AFC West - ESPN
Some interesting stats from Bill WIlliamson. Among them, Vincent Jackson has been targeted 15+ yards downfield 34 times this season and caught 18 of those passes. Both of those are good for tops in the league.

Norv knows emotion
Does he get used to the detractors? "No," he said, once again showing his human side. "I don't think anybody can say that. But you have to have the ability to tune things out, to separate yourself from it, or you can't function.

Phillips shrugs at piling up of sacks
His return will infuse the line with savvy and, eventually, after he shakes off the inevitable rust, Hardwick's rare athleticism. But one positive to arise out of Hardwick's absence has been the experience gained by Scott Mruczkowski in his first season as a center.

"I think with Scott we found out that he is a center," head coach Norv Turner said. "When Nick's ready, he'll be back in there, but we don't have to put Nick in before he's ready."

Bolts in better focus
"I'm very proud of the players," A.J. Smith said. "They understand it's a long, hard, physical season. They are a resilient bunch with great character. I'm happy their focus and hard work has been rewarded the last three weeks. During the first half of the season we had our share of tough times. But letting go of the rope during tough times is not an option around here.

"A great deal of the credit goes to Coach Turner and his staff. Coach's message always has been let's stay together, get better each week, keep your focus and always understand the big picture."

It's a tall task slowing Jackson
"A lot of big guys have a hard time against press and jam coverage," Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said yesterday at Giants Stadium. "They're slower-moving, (and cornerbacks) can get up in their chest. But Vincent is as strong and quick and powerful as they come."

I'll be around here later, as I'm getting together a post of mid-season awards and grades for everyone.  I just wanted to point out, to all of those people who didn't watch the game last night, that the Chargers are definitely in the picture for the division championship.

Chargers

Out

Nick Hardwick (ankle)

Doubtful

Tim Dobbins (knee)

Questionable

Kevin Burnett (ankle)

Ogemdi Nwagbuo (ankle)

Probable

Antonio Gates (foot)

Steve Gregory (ankle)

Travis Johnson (groin)

Shawne Merriman (foot)

Mike Scifres (groin)

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Good afternoon BFTBers, it's your old pal 'tec. We have 3 of the 4 AFC West teams in action during week 8, including the one inter-division game between the Raiders and our Chargers. The Chiefs had their bye this week, and the Broncos traveled to the east coast to take on Joe Flacco and the Ravens. Of course, we beat the Raiders 24-16, the Chiefs managed not to lose during their bye, and the Broncos are undefeated no more as the Ravens solved the Broncos enigma with a 30-7 beat-down. Let's take a look at the current standings.

The Chargers are now 2 games back of the Broncos with 9 game to go. As we know, the remaining schedules for both teams favors the Chargers in terms of difficulty. The Chargers are 3-1 in division games (the one loss vs. Broncos) with 2 division games left (vs. Chiefs and @ Broncos). We travel to New York this week to face the Giants. The Broncos are 2-0 in division games with 4 left (vs. Chargers, @ Chiefs, vs. Chiefs, vs. Oakland). The Broncos stay at home to face the Steelers.

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Chris Chambers

#89 / Wide Receiver / San Diego Chargers

Height: 5-11

Weight: 210

Born: Aug 12, 1978

College: Wisconsin

I understand his play has been poor, but after making arguably the best play of the game Chris Chambers is out on the streets. 

Chris Chamber was the catalyst for the 2007 Chargers' run to the playoffs.  His production has declined since then, but he's always been fairly reliable in clutch situations and in playoff games.  Against the Raiders, Malcom Floyd took his spot as the starting WR opposite Vincent Jackson.

This makes Legedu Naanee, who has disappeared since having a good start to the season, the Bolts' new slot receiver.

Chambers' 2009 stats: