Chargers Back Guarantee with Blank Check : Pro football: Oilers cash in on Jefferson’s deal and win, 27-0. The Chargers fall to 0-4.

HOUSTON — Latest prediction from Charger wide receiver Shawn Jefferson: “We’re going to be a great team.”

Smelling salts, please, for Shawn Jefferson.

This past week Jefferson guaranteed a victory in Houston over his former teammates, and the Houston Oilers responded by steamrolling the Chargers, 27-0, in front of 57,491 in the Astrodome.

“I know Joe Namath,” said Oilers defensive end Sean Jones, “and Shawn Jefferson is no Joe Namath.”

Oilers linebacker Lamar Lathon added, “You shouldn’t shoot your gun off if you only got blanks. It was an insult to everyone on our defense. He challenged us and we took the challenge.”

The Oilers (3-1), pumped up by Jefferson’s guarantee, went on to record the 11th shutout in franchise history and their first since beating Pittsburgh, 27-0, Oct. 22, 1989.

“When Jefferson guaranteed the win that picked us up and we talked about it all week,” said Oilers safety Bubba McDowell. “Even though Jefferson never caught a pass for us, he finally helped out the Oilers today.”

The Chargers (0-4) would appear to be in no position to guarantee anything until they locate the end zone. They have not scored a touchdown in the last 10 quarters. In that time they have been outscored 64-9. Anyone remember Air Coryell?

Indianapolis’ 16-0 victory Oct. 23, 1988, marked the last time the Chargers were shut out.

“We just came out and just didn’t do the little things that get us over the hump,” Jefferson said.

That hump is looking more and more like Mt. Everest. The Chargers have lost 19 of their last 23 games and in the past two years they have gone 0-for-September with nine defeats.

“We’re just not a lucky team,” said Charger center Courtney Hall.

The Chargers continued to misfire on offense, falter on special teams, and failed to keep the opposition off the scoreboard on defense.

The Oilers went 80 yards in nine plays on their opening drive, and quarterback Warren Moon passed three yards to wide receiver Haywood Jeffires for a 7-0 lead.

Poor field position, the result of inept play on special teams, handicapped the Chargers and contributed to Houston’s second scoring drive moments later in the first quarter.

Kicker Al Del Greco hit from 49 yards for a 10-0 lead after John Kidd’s punt traveled 32 yards to give Houston possession at the Chargers’ 42-yard line.

“It’s 10-0 at halftime and anybody can come back from 10-0 at halftime,” said Charger quarterback Stan Humphries, who completed 22 of 38 for 219 yards with three interceptions.

Wrong. This season the Chargers have been outscored in the second half, 61-10, and although they made it as far as the Houston four-yard line in the fourth quarter, they were unable to score.

First down at the Oilers’ four--Humphries hits the fans in the stands instead of Jefferson.

Second down at the Oilers’ four--Ronnie Harmon runs left for no gain.

Third down at the Oilers’ four--Humphries overthrows Harmon.

Fourth down at the Oilers’ four--Humphries takes aim at tight end Derrick Walker, but Houston cornerback Steve Jackson steps in front for the interception.

“I honestly felt at halftime that we were going to win the football game,” said Charger Coach Bobby Ross. “I felt like some of the things were doing in the first half, although they weren’t spectacular, they were good solid things that needed to be done for us to get to that level. I felt really really good about it.”

Wrong. The Chargers failed to muster an attack in the third quarter. On their initial possession following halftime they stalled out at the 50 and punted.

The Oilers went 86 yards in 12 plays and increased their lead to 17 points with running back Lorenzo White covering the final five yards for the score.

The Chargers were forced to punt on their next possession, too, but this time Houston safety Mike Dumas got a hand on Kidd’s kick.

After the ball rolled four yards to the Chargers’ 37, Houston needed seven plays and a five-yard touchdown scramble from Moon to up their advantage to 24-0 with 12:24 remaining in the game.

“It seems like all the time that we’re a football team that needs something to spark us,” Ross said. “We need a play, something to happen that’s going to be good. We’re never getting that.

“I told our football team afterward that I honestly feel like we can still get better and still be competitive. I know there are a lot of people that would second guess that, but I look at the video afterward, and I see it all. I see us playing hard, I see us playing pretty physically, but I just don’t see us getting that play.”

The Chargers thought they had that play, a first down and some momentum early in the second quarter. Running back Marion Butts had been stopped for no gain on third and one at the Houston 30-yard line, but on fourth down, running back Rod Bernstine plowed right for the first down.

The Chargers thought he had it, and then contended later that they received a poor spot of the ball from the officials. After measuring, the officials ruled the Chargers short and Houston took over.

“It was definitely a momentum-buster for us,” said Bernstine, who ran nine times for 22 yards.

The Chargers’ defense, ranked second coming into the game, held Moon to 175 yards in a little more than three quarters of play--Moon’s lowest passing total since being held to 171 yards against Miami on Oct. 20, 1991.

“Our defense hangs in there and keeps us in the football game,” Ross said. “But there comes a time when you have to get points.”

Better days might be ahead, however. Seattle (1-3) comes to town, and the Seahawks, like the Chargers, are struggling on offense.

“I think we’re going to win,” said Jefferson, who led all Charger receivers with five catches for 39 yards. “I go into every game thinking we’re going to win. But I’m not going to guarantee anything. I’m not God.”

Or Jeanne Dixon.