Charger's OL--best in NFL--against Patriots' DL--best in the NFL

[richpjr]

It will be strength against strength. From a scouting report on the Chargers:

The Chargers offense was the NFL's best this season inside "The Gold Zone" (20-yard line). They led the NFL in Gold Zone touchdowns (42) and TD percentage (.677) and tied for the NFL lead in Gold Zone possessions (62).

A key reason for the Bolts' success inside the Gold Zone was the play of quarterback Philip Rivers, the NFL's second-highest rated passer inside the 20 (113.4). The only player ranked higher was Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback Jeff Garcia (115.2). Inside the Gold Zone, Rivers was 29-of-45 (.644) for 195 yards with 12 touchdowns and no interceptions. His completion percentage inside the 20 was also second in the NFL to Garcia.

The Chargers were successful in coming away with points 59 of the 62 times this season that they moved inside the 20-yard line, scoring 42 touchdowns and 17 field goals Their Gold Zone conversion percentage (.952) was second in the NFL behind Denver (.977). The Broncos, however, only traveled inside the 20-yard line 44 times, scoring on 43 of those trips, including 24 touchdowns and 19 field goals.

On Dec. 3 in Buffalo, the Bolts had a remarkable streak of touchdowns on 15-straight Gold Zone possessions come to an end. It had been the longest such streak in the NFL since they started keeping Gold Zone statistics in 1992. The previous high (14) was set by Indianapolis in 2004.

 

[sanvara]

Feel free to go to footballoutsiders.com and check out their numbers for OL play. New England is better than San Diego in short yardage situations on 3rd and 4th down, for example. Nobody disputes the #1 rb matchup going to SD, so the yards per is a lot less impressive for the O-line of the Chargers.

LT's backup is averaging 6.3 yards a carry. That says a lot about the Chargers OL.

 

[Flying Fungi]

LT's backup is averaging 6.3 yards a carry. That says a lot about the Chargers OL.

I think it says a lot about Michael Turner actually--he is that good. And probably to some degree teams were mistakenly keying on pass when LT came out.

 

[sanvara]

I think it says a lot about Michael Turner actually--he is that good. And probably to some degree teams were mistakenly keying on pass when LT came out.

Do you understand that these backs can't get any yards without the horses up front blocking? The Chargers have a great OL. The numbers don't lie. Lorenzo Neal is not a great runner yet he is averaging 4.8 yards a carry running behind this line.

 

[Flying Fungi]

Do you understand that these backs can't get any yards without the horses up front blocking? The Chargers have a great OL. The numbers don't lie. Lorenzo Neal is not a great runner yet he is averaging 4.8 yards a carry running behind this line.

I do indeed understand this. I understand that SD has a very good team.

Do you understand that I am not interested in dropping to my knees for every aspect of this SD team? That I believe that NE will beat SD in spite of the aura of invincibility and the views of the hordes of SD fans?

NE is every bit as good as SD this season. SD has a bye week and home field advantage. NE is on a tear and is peaking and has Brady and Belichick.

I like our chances.

 

[sanvara]

NE is every bit as good as SD this season.

You state this like it's a fact. The regular season performance advantage goes to San Diego so there is not yet any evidence that NE is every bit as good. You can't live off past glories.

 

[Flying Fungi]

You state this like it's a fact. The regular season performance advantage goes to San Diego so there is not yet any evidence that NE is every bit as good. You can't live off past glories.

you guys are funny

what are you scared of?

12-4 with a 7-1 road record, the #2 scoring defense, Brady and Belichick is sufficient proof for all but the ignorant rookie fans of SD apparently

yeah--it is a fact

 

[DagoTom]

There is another part of the red zone defense seldom mentioned. Our admitted "bend don't break" seldom allows many teams to get TO the Red zone, in the first place.

Second fewest opponent's opportunities in the League. Opponents drives usually peter out even before the Red zone is reached. Its called F-U-N-D-A-M-E-N-T-A-L Defense.

Once there, however, the Red Zone Defensive stats are then still spectacular.

Well, then there's another strength vs. strength matchup. Because the Bolts are great at not settling for FG's in the red-zone.

 

[RayClay]

The Charger D-line of Olshansky, Williams and Castillo is as good as any in the league.

I've gotta call bullsh*t on this one. I googled and found a bunch of sites saying how great the chargers DLine is. Every one was a Charger site.

Despite the fact Seymour is a perennial all pro our line is underrated. Warren should have easily made it and Wilfork hasn't scratched the surface of his potential.

Green and White are healthy and I don't see how there is a better rotation of five guys in a 3 man line.

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"The Chargers' defensive line is in but of a flux, but there's good news with the return of Luis Castillo.

An ankle sprain cost Castillo four games in the middle of the season, then he sat out the final two games to rest it. Castillo has seven sacks, but more than that he's a force at the point of attack, seldom losing his feet and getting plowed.

With Jacques Cesaire (knee) looking doubtful and Derreck Robinson ailing with a sore foot -- although he will go Sunday -- it's imperative Castillo plays.

But the question is how long he can go without becoming fatigued or having the ankle start to restrict him.

What has made the defensive line so tough is it is able to use a rotation which keeps everyone fresh. But with an uncertainly on how long Castillo can go and the injuries issues to Cesaire and Robinson, this is a part of the Chargers' defense that is worth watching.

PLAYER NOTES

-- DE Jacques Cesaire (knee) didn't practice again on Thursday and appears to be out for Sunday, despite him being upgraded to questionable."

 

[tssd888]

I can admit that the Pats have the edge on the DL. I will say though that ,assuming he's close to full strength, with Castillo back it's not that huge of a gap. Still is definitely advantage Pats but not by a mile as some might say.

 

[RayClay]

I can admit that the Pats have the edge on the DL. I will say though that ,assuming he's close to full strength, with Castillo back it's not that huge of a gap. Still is definitely advantage Pats but not by a mile as some might say.

We have a great DLine. We've got by with problems elsewhere, but the line is going to be legendary barring problems.

It should be a great game. Here's how I'd break it down.

QB Patriots------Rivers might be great someday, but
RB/FB Chargers-----But not by a lot.

Tomlinson is the only all time great in his prime today and Neal is a fine fullback Dillon Maroney Faulk and Evans give us great versatility to run inside outside and pass and a decent running FB.

San Diego has no WRs in the top 30 in catches. This isn't a research paper, so I'll say I know McCardell and he used to be good and I know he's old.

Suffice it to say, the Patriots have a receiver with 61 catches another who leads the playoffs. LOL advantage Patriots! Take that Deion.
San Diego has a great RB who can catch. We have a decent RB who is a great receiver.

Diego has a great tight end. Pats have 3 good ones.

Receiving in general is a wash, though Pats have more different weapons.

OL San Diego? I guess. I think our OLine is quality and better at screens and stuff, I'm guessing. Bottom line is I don't know so I'll concede based on the board consensus.

DLine Pats. They're awesome IMO and fairly healthy. Diego's is also very good I'm told.

LBs I guess Diego based on athleticism, but when it comes to crunch time, I like Bruschi and Vrabel to make thew clutch plays.

Secondary is supposed to be a weakness of Diego. Haven't seen anyone argue the point.

I go Pats because, whether it's the coaching or whatwver, they are effective and that's without Harrison.

Rodneys had 3 major injuries in 2 years and they've only had a full speed Harrison for a couple games.

Coach in the playoffs, .....Duh. Pats

Not as lopsided as you thought, eh?

 

[italia44]

The Chargers front three are terrific,especially Jamal Williams on the nose,they're the equal or close to the Patriots front three.(despite both playing 3-4,SD doesn't play a true 2-gap system,so there is a difference between the two teams.

Since San Diego plays more of a "run bltz" style of 3-4,similar to Pittsburgh and Baltimore,to accomplish stopping the Patriots "run game",you must also consider:

1.Screen passes to running backs,Te's,and flankers.
2.Short hitch passes to HB's and flankers(2-5 yds).
These are an integral part of NE's running game and if you just consider YPC as a barometer of their success,you're making a mistake.

This is the "flaw" in the 3-4,where the OLB's are "pinched" in to blitz.If your corner backs don't react well,this type of "run",will be very successful

 

[sanvara]

Not as lopsided as you thought, eh?

It's not a lopsided matchup by any means. The point is the Chargers have the advantage in this one but not by alot. As Bill said it will take the Pats best game to win on Sunday.