The Chargers’ slim playoff hopes will be all but extinguished with a loss and they’re doing everything they can to avoid one against the Giants on Sunday.
San Diego leads 24-0 after the first half thanks to an overwhelming performance on both sides of the ball. Philip Rivers has completed 16-of-21 passes for 177 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to Keenan Allen. Allen returned from a shoulder injury to catch his second touchdown of the game in the second quarter. Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead have combined to run for 77 yards on 17 carries as the Giants defense appears to have very little ability to compete and/or interest in competing this week.
The same could be said of the Giants offense. They’ve punted three times, been intercepted and lost a fumble in another ineffectual performance in a season filled with them. The Giants haven’t officially been eliminated from playoff contention, but they’re playing like they’ve accepted their fate as something that can’t be changed.
The Chargers have made no such concession, which may not get them to the playoffs but at least they’re going down with a fight.