Los Angeles Chargers: The good, the bad and the ugh from win over Browns
By Dennis J. Hassell
Los Angeles Chargers 38, Cleveland Browns 14. The Chargers took care of business on the road.
The Good
A Roaring Rushing Game: Quick, when did the Bolts run game last exceed 246 yards with average yards per carry of 6.8?
Chargers Run Defense: For the second game in a row, stopped, slapped and squished a very strong running game. 103 yards total surrendered, and a lot of that was in the garbage time (late fourth quarter with the game out of reach.) Corey Liuget made a big, mean, powerful difference up front.
Give Gus Bradley and assistants a game ball.
Tyrell Williams Woke Up: Better late than never. Three huge catches and all were contested. He fought off THREE Cleveland DBs for possession on one of his two touchdown catches. 118 yards. Thinking he will be quiet this week having earned the attention of the Tennessee Titans –someone else will be featured with Dr. Strange, Philip Rivers.
The Sack Attack is Back: Despite the huge absence of Joey Bosa, the Chargers got five sacks. That’s a lot more than in early games this season.
Pass Defense: Not the strongest opponent, but still, more intelligent choices overall. Late in the game they got dumber. Jahleel Addae played better – maybe.
‘Flash’ Gordon had probably his best game as a Bolt. Not just 3 TDs and 100+ yards rushing: he ran over them, through them, around them. He broke SO many tackles. Melvin Gordon is inspiring his team.
The Bad
TD turns into INT: Melvin Gordon turned what would have been another touchdown on a routine catch into an interception. But it’s the record of Rivers that gets dinged.
Sloppy tackling: Players were standing around watching at plays just a yard or two away. I wonder what their stats are when they are up by three scores, compared with earlier in the game.
The Ugh-ly
Penalties: Including TWO personal fouls on J.J. Jones, the team earned 10 penalties for 72 yards. Imagine having 72 yards taken away from the Chargers’ offense, or given to the other team’s offense. That’s a huge stat differential. That’s giving extra plays to the opponent, and taking away opportunities for the Chargers.
PENALTIES ARE MAKING A PATTERN.
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This is an expensive habit. It is costing them points and if it continues, it will cost them a game.
Jet Lag: Looking ahead to next week’s game in London, England:
A 1 pm start in England is 6 am back home.
I hope head coach Anthony Lynn was going to bed about 45 minutes earlier, progressively, each night they stayed in Cleveland. The Titans, residing in eastern standard time, have a three-hour head start — which is why the Bolts stayed in Cleveland this past week.
Chargers’ GAME GRADES:
Turnovers: B+ Run Defense: B+ Pass Defense: A Rushing Offense: A+. Passing Offense: B- Offense: A.
IN COMMENTS BELOW give your prediction for the next game, NFL London, against Tennessee: Give us a spoiler ending for this epic.
The Fall of the Titans? Or London has Fallen?