Chargers dominate Seahawks and claim second in AFC West

Sep 14, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; [San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) pulls touchdown pass in front of Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker K.J. Wright (50) during third period action at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY SportsOne word: WOW!  When the Chargers announced that Sunday’s game was going to be “White Hot Sunday” they were not kidding.  Aside from the 120 degree temperature on the field the Bolts showed up and dominated the World Champion Seahawks, winning 21-30.  This game was called by football analysts around the league as a sure win for the Seahawks.  Only the Bolt faithful knew that the Bolts could pull out the win and we believed.  So did the Chargers.

On both sides of the ball and the sideline everyone was invested, paying attention and gave it their all.  I can’t even complain about Reich’s play calling.  I almost felt like he was listening to what fans were saying all week and he made the adjustments needed to keep the lead.  Rivers and Gates by far were the MVP’s of the game.  Watching them get three touchdowns was just like old times and quite honestly, I hope it’s a sign of new times.  The best of the three was Gates’ 21-yarder (two were from 8 yards), Gates was double covered, split two defenders and extended for the pass, reaching out with his left hand to gather it in. Flat on his back in the end zone, he held up the ball to show the referee. That gave San Diego a 27-14 lead late in the third quarter.  This puts the Rivers/Gates record at 65 touchdown passes, the most in NFL history between a quarterback and a tight end.

Per Russell Wilson “They did a real good job on third down when they had the ball,” and I will gladly agree with him there.  The Chargers offense kept the Seahawks offense off the field by hogging the ball for 42:15 football minutes, leaving Wilson with only 17:45 to get the job done.  Bolts third down efficiency was 10 of 17, whereas the Hawks were 3 of 8.  Wilson did not get enough time, because the Chargers defense showed up to win.  The Seahawks were only able to get 14 first downs the entire game, stack that up to the Chargers 26 and all of a sudden the Chargers have the best defense in the NFL.  Ok, maybe not statistically, but part of me wonders if yesterdays game is what the Super Bowl would have looked like.

With both the Chiefs and Raiders losing and the Broncos winning the standings in the AFC West stack up like this:

Broncos 2-0

Chargers 1-1

Raiders 0-2

Chiefs 0-2

Not too shabby San Diego!  Let’s keep that Bolt Pride turned up to high for this weekends game in Buffalo.  Boltup!