The heavy weight of disappointment is tangible. Glassy-eyed looks of despair brought on by an irreversible loss are with everyone associated with the San Diego Chargers. Players, coaches, fans, and even the supposed impartial media are in a state of shock over the Chargers 17-14 Divisional Playoff loss to the New York Jets. “You want to play your best game when you get to this point, and we obviously didn’t do it,” says Philip Rivers. “It’s disappointing because you want to make enough plays and play well enough to win the game. We fell three points short but fought like crazy to try to overcome some of those mistakes, but we just didn’t get it done.”

Ultimately, the Chargers lost because they didn’t play the same style of well-coached and highly focused football that guided them to an 11-game winning streak.

“That’s how I describe it, ‘uncharacteristic,’” says head coach Norv Turner. “Obviously, it’s disappointing.”

Nate Kaeding (center) walks off thefield

after one of three missed field goals.

^Chargers.com

No one had a worse night than Nate Kaeding. In a game that the Chargers lost by 3 points, Kaeding, the NFL’s most accurate field goal kicker, missed all three of his attempts from 36, 57, and 40 yards.

“As I’ve said about Nate many times, we get in that range, and I expect him to make the kick,” says Turner. “He expects, too.”

“Professionally, it’s a tough thing to get through,” saya Kaeding. “But I never feel sorry for myself. I feel sorry for my teammates, my coaches, and the support staff for letting them down. It’s going to be a tough few months, but I have to get through it.”

Kaeding does not shoulder the blame alone. “I’m not going to put it all on Nate,” says Turner. “We’ve had a lot of guys that have had career years that have plays that they would like to have the outcome different…We’ve been one of the least-penalized teams in the league. Obviously, we had numerous penalties that slowed us down.”

During the regular season, the Chargers committed the fourth fewest penalties in the league. Yesterday, the Chargers were penalized 10 times for 87 yards. That included a mindless unsportsmanlike conduct call against Vincent Jackson for kicking a challenge flag after he made a spectacular catch to give the Chargers some hope late in the game.

Ultimately, the Chargers would score a touchdown on that drive to bring the score to 17-14, giving them a small chance of a late miracle rally. However, the penalty had done its damage by taking valuable time off the clock and was symbolic of the team’s lack of focus throughout the day.

It was also one play that particularly bothered Turner: “As I said, the Vincent Jackson play, we haven’t made those kinds of mistakes.”

The Chargers did have some positives in their defense and special teams that were, at times, exceptional. The Jets went three and out in each of the first four possessions of the game.

If the Chargers had won the game, the play of the Chargers defense would be the toast of the town. However, with the loss, the focus is now on the uncertainties that come with it.

LaDainian Tomlinson was asked after the game whether his desire for a Super Bowl ring will motivate him to come back next year.

“I can’t even think about that right now,” says Tomlinson. “It’s very disappointing to think about the future.”

Tomlinson was pushed by a reporter: “Do you want to come back?”

Tomlinson paused and looked away, apparently holding back a flood of emotions. Humbly, he regained his composure: “I can’t tell you that right now.”

Further prodded, he was asked: “Do you think you played your last game with the Chargers?”

“I don’t know,” says Tomlinson. “I’m not sure. I’ve heard all the speculation. But, I’ll tell you what, I’ve had a heck of a time here, and if it is, I’ve enjoyed the ride…Obviously, I have the passion in me. But when this happens, it takes a lot out of you, mentally and physically. It has a toll on you to lose like this.”

The loss will bring other questions for the franchise. Will the Chargers ever win a Super Bowl? Will Shawne Merriman be re-signed? Did Jackson’s mental errors put his future in question? Will the loss hurt the Chargers chances of passing a future ballot measure for a new stadium? Ultimately, could San Diego lose the Chargers franchise?

It’s all on the table now.