North County Times from Oceanside, California • 17

Chargers lose shot at playoffs, then fall to Seattle JAY PARIS Stm Whiter SAN DIEGO When Atlantas Warrick Dunn couldnt score a potential tying touchdown against the Browns on Sunday, the Chargers playoffs hopes were officially done. Some three hours later, the Charg- Seahawks 31 ers put an exclamation mark on Chargers their frus- 28 gating sea-son by dropping their fourth straight game. The Chargers collapsed again in the fourth quarter, then fell to the Seattle Seahawks, 31-28, in overtime before 52,159 at Qualcomm Stadium. Rian Lindells 24-yard field goal with 5:02 showing was the difference. Its hard to comprehend or swallow because we have the effort and the guys really wanted it, defensive end Marcellus Wiley said.

But we didnt close out the deal, and thats something we have to figure out. Coach Marty Schotten-heimer, the self-proclaimed teacher, stressed his need to educate the Chargers about winning. Its obvious the pupils didnt grasp his numerous lessons, as the team dropped seven of its last nine games. The biggest disappointment that I have is that we still havent learned how to win, Schottenheimer said. Maybe it's out of the players hands.

Could a team which started 6-1, won three games in overtime and coidd-nt make the playoffs be jinxed? BILL WECHTER Sr-vn Puonx mi Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck pulls the Seahawks within 28-27 on a touchdown run with one second remaining. The Seahawks beat the Chargers 31-28 in overtime. Chargers ineptitude continues in finale CHARGERS, C-3 iritis Sundays Scores I I The muddled NFL playoff picture is Finally settled Here a look at the participants and matchups as teams vie for a trip to San Diego for the Super Bowl: AFC WILDCARD PLAYOFFS Saturday I Indianapolis (10-6) at Y. Jets (9 7), 130pm (Ch.10) Sunday I Cleveland (97) at Pittsburgh (105-1), 10 a (Ch 8) First-round byes I Oakland (11 5), Tennessee (11 5) NFC WILDCARD PLAYOFFS Saturday I Atlanta (9-6 1) at Green Bay (12 4), 5 (Ch. 10) Sunday NY.

Giants (106) at San Francisco (105), 130 pm (Ch 6) First-round byes I Philadelphia (12 4), Tampa Bay (124) DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS Jan. 11 and 12 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS Jan 19 SUPER BOWL XXXVII At Qualcomm Stadium Jan 26,318 pm field goal. Last year Lindell drilled a 54-yarder to sink the Bolts. The more things change, the more they stay the same. The Chargers went from 6-2 to 2-6 finishing the year at 8-8 and out of the playoff picture.

Right now they have more questions than answers. They dont appear to be in any better shape than they were when Alike Riley coached the team to nine consecutive losses at the end of last season. Under Marty Schotten-heirner, the Chargers lost their final four. Had it not been for two missed field goals by the opposition in overtime wins against San Francisco and Denver, the Chargers could have lost nine straight again. SCHOLFIELD, C-2 SAN DIEGO A season of hope and frustration was defined by one game Sunday when the Chargers fell to Seattle.

The Chargers started fast and folded like an old suitcase in the end, losing 31-28 in overtime. The more things change, the more they stay the same. In the season finale last year, the Chargers blew a 13-point lead in the first half. But they tied the game with 16 seconds left only to watch Seattle return a kickoff to set up a game-winning field goal on the last play of the game. This time the Chargers blew a 14-point advantage with 8:37 left.

Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck directed TD drives of 58 and 88 yards to tie the game, then the Seahawks won it in overtime on Rian Lindells 24-yard STEVE SCHOLFIELD Minnesota 38, Detroit 36 Washington 20, Dallas 14 Tennessee 13, Houston 3 New England 27, Miami 24, 0T I Pittsburgh 34, Baltimore 31 Buffalo 27, Cincinnati 9 Cleveland 24, Atlanta 16 I Carolina 10, New Orleans 6 Indianapolis 20, Jacksonville 13 NY. Jets 42, Green Bay 17 Denver 37, Arizona 7 Tampa Bay 15, Chicago 0 BILL WECHTER Sun Photix Coverage on Pages C-2 to C-5. Chargers quarterbacks Drew Brees and Doug Flutie watch from the sideline during overtime. PBBBBBS Tackling Hurricanes offense wont be easy Cougars receiver plays in honor of fallen brother GABE LACQUES 8 M'RiH. VAi i Ft Trim m- 01113 died Feb.

26, 2001, during a grueling offseason RICHARD ROSENBLATT A-mx utipPri-" Wash. St. (10-2) vs. Okla. (11-2) WHEN 1.30 pm Wednesday WHERE Pasadena TV Ch.

10(7 LA) tain them. Ohio State (13-0) has until Friday night to fine tune its strategy before taking on No. 1 Mia- mi (12-0) for the national championship. Well need to play with great toughness, great effort and well have to know what to do, said Dantonio, whose defense allowed just 12.2 9 CE Miami (12-0) vs. Ohio St.

(134)) WHEN 5pm Friday WHERE Tempe, Ariz TV Ch 10 (7 A workout at Florida State. Wednesday, when Darling takes the field for Washington State in the 89th Rose Bowd, it will be the next step in what Darling sees as the fulfillment of two dreams his own and Devaughns. This is part of my journey, part of my life, he said. The journey has been anything but easy. The Darlings came to Florida State as PHOENIX Mike Doss hopes it can be done.

Matt Wilhelm and Kenny Peterson do, too. And so does Mark Dantonio, Ohio States defensive coordinator, whose task is to devise a plan to derail Miamis high-powered offense in the Fiesta Bowl. Theyre big, fast, athletic and they put up a lot of points, said Doss, the Buckeyes All-American strong safety. This is the big challenge to see if we can con i LOS ANGELES Its a simple gesture, one that dozens of athletes perform after scoring a touchdown or hitting a home run. But its different when Devard Darling does it.

Touch the heart twice, point to the sky, said Darling, Washington States gifted sophomore receiver. Its two hearts beating as one. Im playing for him. Twelve times this season, Darling crossed the goal line, stared toward the rim of the stadium and pointed skyward. He was celebrating not just for himself but for his twin brother, Devaughn, who A-'MX UTloPMss Devard Darling, center, is a crucial component of Washington State's offense.

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