Chargers Shoulder Weight of High ExpectationsA.J. Smith has often fretted over Chargers players "reading their own press clippings." Now, with the team coming off a season in which it won four straight games to reach the playoffs -- leading to a big upset over the red-hot Indianapolis Colts -- Smith has to hope history won't repeat itself.
The Chargers have finally learned how to win games when it matters, posting an excellent winning percentage in the month of December and winning playoff games in each of the last two seasons. Now, can the team find a way to treat every game like it matters? Another slow start could be too much of a hindrance in today's competitive AFC landscape, where nearly every team is a legitimate playoff contender.
