Tonight the 3-8 Jacksonville Jaguars will host the 4-7 San Diego Chargers. To say the least, this is a matchup that was supposed to have post-season implications, but that just hasn’t panned out. When the NFL scheduled these two teams, they were likely hopeful both teams would have 7 wins, not a combined 7 wins. Even so, there’s still reasons to watch this game.
1) Norv Turner’s butt is hotter than the inside of a Taco John’s spicy taco.
If watching a guy fight for his job isn’t compelling TV, I don’t know what is. Even with a win, the Chargers’ head coach is likely to be dismissed following the end of the season. Should the Chargers lose to Jacksonville tonight, the end could come much sooner.
2) A new era may be beginning in Jacksonville with Mel Tucker.
As one team likely writes the final few chapters of its history with its current coach, the Jaguars may be writing the introduction to their history with Mel Tucker as their head coach. He has a 5 game trial run, and if it goes well, he could be the man in Jacksonville.
3) Philip Rivers really needs to do something right as the Chargers look towards the future.
This season has been abysmal for the Chargers’ normally great quarterback. He has a great opportunity to make a statement against a Jaguars secondary that is desperate for players at cornerback. Both of the Jaguars’ starters are on IR at CB, and that could make for easy pickings by the Chargers.
4) Blaine Gabbert would like to get things moving now.
After a slow, to say the least, start in 2011, Blaine Gabbert needs to start putting quality starts together. There’s no better time to start doing so than against the Chargers, who have lost 6 straight games. A quick start could force the Chargers to give up once again, leading to an easy “W.”
5) There’s still cheerleaders on the sideline.
Hey, this game is being played in Florida. That means there’s sure to be some great pictures of the Jaguars’ cheerleaders on the sidelines. Who knows, ESPN may just film them the entire game if the on-field game isn’t very enticing. I’ve always wanted Gruden and Jaws’ thoughts on those NFL caliber cheerleading squads…