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Say the Chargers were lifeless, uninspired, flat.

That would be difficult to argue given the fact the Detroit Lions led by 24 points at halftime, the Chargers didn’t score until the third quarter and went on to lose 38-10 in a game they had to win for meaning to continue in their season.

“It’s hard to put into words,” tight end Antonio Gates said afterward. “Disappointment is an understatement.”

Said linebacker Takeo Spikes: “It’s very disappointing to know we had this much on the line, just as much as they did … They played better than us. They wanted it more than us. It showed out there on the field.”

Blame the head coach, blame the defensive coordinator.

The fact is, however, and more importantly going forward, the Chargers defense was exposed for what it is and what it doesn’t have.

No playmakers, no answers.

Criticizing defensive coordinator Greg Manusky might be too easy – not to mention irrelevant — even if it appeared he was once again outmaneuvered by his offensive counterpart on the other sideline. Spikes and safety Eric Weddle may or may not have been the only defenders to have showed up. Tough to tell.

“We’d been playing pretty well,” cornerback Quentin Jammer said. “Today, we got our asses handed to us … It’s embarrassing.”

Calling what the Chargers played Saturday a zone coverage implies there was coverage. To say they only rushed four players most of the time suggests they had a pass rush.

The Lions’ first play was a slap in the face, the bulk of their next few dozen plays was a collective knockout punch.

“It’s disappointing,” head coach Norv Turner said. “I expected us to play better. They have a lot of weapons … They took advantage of their weapons, spread the ball around. Their tight ends caught a lot of balls, and they made big plays up the field with their wideouts. They spread us out awfully well.

“We felt our best chance – we’ve been rushing the passer better – was to get some pressure. We really weren’t able to get pressure on the quarterback, and when we did he did a great job moving around, buying time and finding open guys down the field.”

The Lions came into Saturday with the league’s No.4 scoring offense and fifth-ranked passing offense. Saturday was the sixth time this season they scored 34 or more points.

But this was something else.

The Chargers’ pass rush was a whisper. Their coverage could not hold – not when it had to for eight seconds, almost never when it had to find a tight end in the middle of the field, rarely when Calvin Johnson was the intended target.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford completed nine of his first 10 passes and threw for 373 yards without connecting on his only fourth-quarter attempt. Brandon Pettigrew’s nine receptions were a team record for a tight end. Johnson caught just four passes — for 102 yards and a touchdown.

Go to Denver and ROLL the Tebows …

Outscore the Patsies 42-41 to go to the bowl!!!!

You know what …

You are right.

Especially if there is any chance in hell we get to play Denver if they happen to win too.

Certainly tried to do too much early in the game, but was MUCH better in the 2nd half.

Lakers will be slightly better than .500 the first 10 games or so but will go on a BIG surge once they get Brown’s system down and that damn triangle outta their system.

Lakers are playing defense. They held that team to under 90 pts. Never thought that could happen. Very encouraging!

I just think a road game against the Texans may be the easiest road playoff game in the history of the NFL.

They just lost to the Colts for Christ Sakes!!!

He did that last year as well. Incredibly careless with the ball at the end of games.

Still the Bungles.They don’t deserve the chance to go to the play-offs.