Chargers strike down depleted Patriots 41-17

0 Comments | USA TODAY, October, 2005 | by Jarrett Bell

FOXBORO, Mass. -- Lightning struck at Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon, but it had nothing to do with the weather. On a warm and sunny day perfect for a cookout, the New England Patriots finally lost a game in their backyard.

And there were no ifs, ands or buts about it.

The San Diego Chargers thrashed the two-time defending Super Bowl champions 41-17, snapping the Patriots' NFL-best 21-game home winning streak and pouring salt into the wounds of a battered team trying to survive another round of injury-induced adversity.

"I'll have to be honest," Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer said after his squad rolled up 431 yards, had nearly 37 minutes of possession and pummeled the champs with a 24-0 second half. "During the course of the week, I wondered, 'Is...