Chargers/Patriots...

[pao]

1.) Brady's inconsistent play, and Moss' as well

2.) Lack of a WR3

3.) Mankins/Koppen against a strong push up the middle

4.) Neal's health

5.) Lack of a fullback

6.) Questionable game planning and play calling on offense

7.) Poor usage of the running backs

8.) D-line play against good opponents

9.) Inability to get consistent pressure against decent offenses

10.) Guyton against the run

11.) CB play when left in single coverage

12.) Inconsistent safety play prior to the re-insertion of Sanders as starter

All of which can be fixed or overcome, as long as item #1 becomes a non-issue

It looks to me, after that Jville game, like #1 is a non issue. White hot.

 

[shmessy]

one thing everyone is forgetting. the chargers will resort to Turner Ball in the playoffs.

Do you think our OC or DC playcalling strategies (particularly in the second halves of games) have been any better this year?

 

[Boots Electric]

The San Diego Chagers are a better team than the New England Patriots at this point in time

Thier record is better,they have been more consistent and have beaten a team twice that we lost to,the Broncos

Injuries or not the Chargers have won 10 in a row and are far more consistent than this years Patriots after a rough start.

Its if or when the SDC play the NEP whoever plays better that day will win but lets get real about who is better right now an put the homer glasses off for a minute.

They only beat the Broncos once. Just wanted to point that out.

The Chargers have a weak running game and rely on their passing game but they have such tall athletic receivers that they are hard to cover.

 

[shmessy]

What do you think the Patriots' issues are, if any?

The fact that OC O'Brien and DC Pees tend to down several bottles of scotch during the halftime intermission and come out three sheets to the wind for the second half every week.

 

[makoute]

It looks to me, after that Jville game, like #1 is a non issue. White hot.

It's one game, you can't base consistency on 1 game versus the other 14 they have played so far.

 

[pao]

The fact that their OC O'Brien and DC Pees tend to down several bottles of scotch during the halftime intermission and come out three sheets to the wind for the second half.

LOL. Excellent.

 

[pao]

It's on game, you can't base consistency on 1 game versus the other 14 they have played so far.

LOL. Good point. Though, to me, they look pretty dang good.

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

Also - the Dallas game wasn't as close as the score looked. The Cowboys got next to nil pressure on Rivers, the Chargers controlled the LOS, and the Boys scored a garbage TD at the end to narrow the gap.

And however you look at it, the Giants win was HUGE for them - emotions being runned at the Meadowlands over the 2004 draft of Eli vs. Rivers, the Giants trying to bounce back from a 3 game losing streak, etc. They ended up getting the job done in a very hostile environment.

 

[Deus Irae]

It looks to me, after that Jville game, like #1 is a non issue. White hot.

But that was against a team that couldn't generate any pressure on the QB at all. Brady had time to build Homes for Humanity back there.

But I think that game goes a long way towards demonstrating my basic point. If Brady's playing like that, the Patriots can beat any team in the league.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Also - the Dallas game wasn't as close as the score looked. The Cowboys got next to nil pressure on Rivers, the Chargers controlled the LOS, and the Boys scored a garbage TD at the end to narrow the gap.

And however you look at it, the Giants win was HUGE for them - emotions being runned at the Meadowlands over the 2004 draft of Eli vs. Rivers, the Giants trying to bounce back from a 3 game losing streak, etc. They ended up getting the job done in a very hostile environment.

I would put the Chargers list of victories as the most impressive this year.

 

[MassPats38]

I actually would agree with Peter King's assessment right now. The Chargers have owned the Colts in recent years and have shown they can win this year. Close wins or not really doesn't matter. Closing games out matters in the end, regardless of the score.

The 2006 defense was scary good. The front seven could punish opposing offenses, and the corners were opportunistic and fed off the pressure created by the front. In comparison, I thought the offense was limited to the LT/Gates show, so take away them and the offense went with them.

The 2009 Chargers seem more balanced in comparison. Vincent Jackson, dubbed "scissorhands" by Cris Carter after his frequent drops in 2006, has developed into a good receiver. Rivers is much better, and you still have Gates. LT is not as big a factor, but I do not know if that is a plus or minus. The defense isn't great, but it is talented and athletic enough to balance out the offense and get the wins.

Given the recent performances by the Vikings and Saints, major injuries to the Iggles and the schizophrenic nature of the Cowboys, and the fact the Colts are not a balanced team and have frequently relied on the last minute drives to win games (thus one slow offensive performance and color them gone), I would have to give the Chargers the top spot.

 

[BradyMossWelker]

THEY ARE OVERATED!!!
rivers is just a kid who thinks he's a baller and all that, and is going to win the superbowl!!!
IN THE PLAYOFFS, YOU'RE MESSING WITH THE BIG DOGS!!
And that defense is just terrible, I'm not afraid at all

 

[SoCalPatsfan90]

Well, if it comes down to that game in SD... I'll have to find some damn money somewhere to go to the game... Just like I was there in '06 season divisional round

 

[SoCalPatsfan90]

THEY ARE OVERATED!!!
rivers is just a kid who thinks he's a baller and all that, and is going to win the superbowl!!!
IN THE PLAYOFFS, YOU'RE MESSING WITH THE BIG DOGS!!
And that defense is just terrible, I'm not afraid at all

I bet you weren't afraid going into the '07 superbowl either huh?

 

[pao]

But that was against a team that couldn't generate any pressure on the QB at all. Brady had time to build Homes for Humanity back there.

Didn't see the game but I get your point. One thing, the Chargers HAVE had trouble geneating much of a pass rush. If the same happens in the Divisional Playoff it could be a long day for the Chargers. I have to give props to Rivera, he has dialed it up more lately with creative blitzes. We'll see.

But I think that game goes a long way towards demonstrating my basic point. If Brady's playing like that, the Patriots can beat any team in the league.

I agree. That group, Brady/Moss/Welker, is right up there with the best in history. I can't believe that Welker can even walk the next week after a game, let alone play. Dude takes a lot of hits, brutal ones, every game it seems.

 

[pao]

Also - the Dallas game wasn't as close as the score looked. The Cowboys got next to nil pressure on Rivers, the Chargers controlled the LOS, and the Boys scored a garbage TD at the end to narrow the gap.

Same with Philly.

And however you look at it, the Giants win was HUGE for them - emotions being runned at the Meadowlands over the 2004 draft of Eli vs. Rivers, the Giants trying to bounce back from a 3 game losing streak, etc. They ended up getting the job done in a very hostile environment.

That was a huge win for the Chargers. Sometimes the difference between a 10 game winning streak and 7-3/6-4 record is nothing more than confidence. That NYG victory gave the Chargers confidence, imo.

 

[pao]

I actually would agree with Peter King's assessment right now. The Chargers have owned the Colts in recent years and have shown they can win this year. Close wins or not really doesn't matter. Closing games out matters in the end, regardless of the score.

The 2006 defense was scary good. The front seven could punish opposing offenses, and the corners were opportunistic and fed off the pressure created by the front. In comparison, I thought the offense was limited to the LT/Gates show, so take away them and the offense went with them.

The 2009 Chargers seem more balanced in comparison. Vincent Jackson, dubbed "scissorhands" by Cris Carter after his frequent drops in 2006, has developed into a good receiver. Rivers is much better, and you still have Gates. LT is not as big a factor, but I do not know if that is a plus or minus. The defense isn't great, but it is talented and athletic enough to balance out the offense and get the wins.

Given the recent performances by the Vikings and Saints, major injuries to the Iggles and the schizophrenic nature of the Cowboys, and the fact the Colts are not a balanced team and have frequently relied on the last minute drives to win games (thus one slow offensive performance and color them gone), I would have to give the Chargers the top spot.

Great post. Still, have to go with the Colts as #1. They'd be 15-0 if they hadn't pulled PM. Do I think the Chargers can beat them if they meet in the POffs (if they both make it to the AFCCG)? Yes, but it's not a gimme and they won't be favored. We'll see.

 

[pao]

Well, if it comes down to that game in SD... I'll have to find some damn money somewhere to go to the game... Just like I was there in '06 season divisional round

How did SD fans treat you? I remember the week before that game. There was an Italian fair here in SD I went to and there were a lot of Patriot fans walking around in Patriot gear (some in retro, very cool). I was wearing Charger gear and got in a few conversations with Pat fans. Very nice and knowledgeable. Hope your experience was a good one.

 

[SoCalPatsfan90]

How did SD fans treat you? I remember the week before that game. There was an Italian fair here in SD I went to and there were a lot of Patriot fans walking around in Patriot gear (some in retro, very cool). I was wearing Charger gear and got in a few conversations with Pat fans. Very nice and knowledgeable. Hope your experience was a good one.

Notice my Screen name I've lived in San Diego for 20 years... and ironically been a Pats fan for about 20 years HAHA. My history as a pats fan has to do with being born in Groton CT. Even though I've spend 66% of my life in San Diego.

I get crap daily @ work, but I still have my 3'x5' patriots flag hanging proudly in my cubicle, and I took Spygate pretty well considering the trash that was talked to me.

At the game was a different story, I was pissed off to learn that someone had dumped a beer on my dads jacket, just because they were upset at the surge of NE to get back into it.

Overall it was a great experience, I recall being interviewed by a east coast radio station, dunno if it ever went anywhere... but I've only had 1 other emotional high like that, and that was the birth of my first son 2 years ago.

 

[pao]

Notice my Screen name I've lived in San Diego for 20 years... and ironically been a Pats fan for about 20 years HAHA. My history as a pats fan has to do with being born in Groton CT. Even though I've spend 66% of my life in San Diego.

Oops, missed the screen name. So we're neighbors! Pretty nice here, eh? I'll pm you.

At the game was a different story, I was pissed off to learn that someone had dumped a beer on my dads jacket, just because they were upset at the surge of NE to get back into it.

That kind of stuff really p*sses me off. I had some friends that went to the World Series when the Padres played the Yankees. People did all kinds of stuff to them including smearing mustard on their seats and pouring beer on them. Pretty pathetic, there's no place for that kind of crap.