No, it’s true.  Seriously, I swear, it’s true—the Chargers, who were 4-8 just four weeks ago, are not only in the playoffs, but will be hosting the Indianapolis Colts next Saturday at 5pm.  From 4-8 to hosting the Colts.  We have seen the face of the NFL in 2008, and it is glorious, if a little confusing.  I’ll try and do my best to capture one of the best environments I’ve ever seen a game in, and maybe try to explain just how exactly THE CHARGERS ARE HOSTING THE COLTS in the playoffs this week.  As always, View From The Q contains uncredited and unappreciated wit and insight from Ryan “Leaky Pipes” Thies, Shar “My Wife” Higa, and JJ “Dumping The Show To Sally” Fiddler.  Let’s proceed.

1. So on Tuesday, I was at the Q for the Boise State vs. TCU game, at the conclusion of which, LT was standing on the Chargers’ sideline, smiling as his alma mater beat the Broncos.  We were rooting for BSU, but I took this as a good sign.

2. Before we get going, let’s clear this up: this wasn’t a week 17 game as much as it was the first game of the postseason.  As the Sunday night game, it was technically the final game of the regular season—but it was, as Faith Hill announced via BoltVision, “Win or go home.”  The atmosphere, the noise, the camera flashes, and the excitement all screamed January, in a good way.

3. Random jersey spot: Bolts jersey, number “1,” with the name reading “A.J. Smith.”  That’s a man who knows his football.  That or it’s A.J., and he has a bigger ego than I thought.

4. The Bolts stall on the first drive, as usual.  Then the Broncos march right down the field and score a TD.  Whuh-whoa. 

5. The playcalling on this game is much more aggressive than we’ve seen this Chargers’ O look before—the reverse to start, a good mix of play actions and runs, throwing to Manumaleuna, mixing Darren in.  Can’t remember the last time Pipes and I were actually kept guessing on what play we’d be running—usually you just follow Manumaleuna, and assume we’re running to whichever side he motions to.

6. DID LT JUST MAKE TWO GUYS MISS?!  What year is this?

7. Halftime: Well.  Okay then.  We’re up 24-6, the crowd is quite possibly the best crowd we’ve seen here in three years, including playoff games, and the place is jumping right now.  The air is actually a little electric.  But it’s a three-score game with thirty minutes to play, and if the very fact that we’re in a game with playoff implications right now has proven anything, it’s that anything is possible.

8. And sure enough, a Broncs TD to start the second half.  Honestly, I don’t think our D looks good, even with the pick at the end of the half—if they were running the ball (which they’re doing to the tune of nearly ten yards per-carry on the five times they’ve done it), I get the feeling this would be a lot closer than 24-13.

9. And, displaying the grit we’d been looking for all season, the Bolts take it right back down the field and punch it in, on a nice Sproles scamper.  The game is back under control, and this stadium is literally shaking.  Texts to Shar and my mom and aunt in St. Louis confirm that the vibrations are forcing their way through America’s televisions. 

10. The Cutler diabetes jokes have begun to rain down, as the QB has visibly shrunken under the pressure.  I think I see people throwing sugar packets.  You stay classy, San Diego.

11.  End of the game—52-21, Rivers has now had the best season of any QB in Bolts history, LT looks healthy, Sproles has proven why he needs to be a 15-touch back, and, somehow, we’re hosting the Colts next week.  I overhear no less than five people on their phones figuring out how much money they can borrow to make sure they’re here next week.

12. Before I go screaming and losing my voice again, consider this numerology.  We were looking for our 8th win, to put us in the playoffs.  We scored on 8 drives (of ten total, with only one punt), and the first two TD drives, which gave us the lead we never lost, both took 8 plays.  I don’t know what the lesson there is, but it’s something.

13. Check back later this week for a slightly less delirious preview of the upcoming Colts/Bolts matchup.  Hint: I think we should use Sproles.  A lot.