Technical Difficulties

Much like the electricity at Ralph Wilson Stadium, the Chargers are off and on.

Just when you think the Bolts might be on the verge of building some momentum, they come up with another dud, losing to the Buffalo Bills 23-14 on Sunday in a game marred by several power failures at the Bills' stadium.

It was probably a good thing that the lack of electricity prevented CBS from televising much of the game.

After Philip Rivers' big game against New England last week, some were starting to mention the Chargers' quarterback as one of the elite quarterbacks in the league. In fact, Rivers entered the game with the NFL's No. 1 passer rating, and it seems Opie might have fallen in love with his press clippings this week. Rivers turned the ball over three times -- two fumbles and an interception -- Sunday and the Bolts offense never clicked.

And then there's LaDainian Tomlinson, who once again had a less-than-MVP-type performance. LT managed just 41 yards on 14 carries. It's the third time this season that LT has rushed for under 50 yards and the sixth time in seven games he's been under 100 yards.

At some point, the Chargers have to start playing with a sense of urgency, right?

Well, at least one player thinks so.

"This isn't a slow start anymore," defensive end Luis Castillo said. "We're seven games into this thing. We've got to find a way sooner or later, because there's not that much time left."

While it was a thoroughly forgettable day for Charger fans, no doubt the late, great Tim Russert [left] was looking down on it all with a big smile.

The day began with former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell choosing Russert's old show, "Meet the Press," as the venue to announce his endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama for president. Then, a few hours later, Russert's beloved Buffalo Bills vetoed the Chargers.

And the Bolts were an easy accomplice on this day.

The San Diego Chargers ... making opposing fans (dead or alive) happy since 1961.