5 takeaways from a big Chargers’ road win over the Seahawks
The Los Angeles Chargers get to their best season start since 2006 at 6-2 with a big road win against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Chargers won their fifth straight game in Seattle. It ended up being closer than it should have been, and we’ll get to the one bad part, but a lot of it was good. Melvin Gordon kept violently rushing through defenses, and the offense kept up. The defense also played pretty well, getting enough pressure and playing great coverage.
1. Buh-Bye Sturgis (for real this time)
I wrote a few weeks ago, prior to his injury, that it was time to cut Caleb Sturgis. Didn’t happen. Drew Kaser was cut for veteran Donnie Jones for snap holding. Michael Badgley hits 100 percent of his field goals and PAT’s while Sturgis is out for two games. Surely, Sturgis is out now. Didn’t happen. But this time, Sturgis flew too close to the sun. Multiple missed extra points in addition to a short missed field goal was the end of him in LA, as he flew too close to the sun.
Sturgis should’ve been gone a while ago. I said it, everyone has pretty much agreed. Maybe that’s a referendum on coach Anthony Lynn. But, the team is also at 6-2. With, and without a kicker at various points, they’re four games over .500 regardless. You have to get a good kicker for the stretch run at the end of the season as well as the playoffs, but the Chargers are excited to be where they are, and excited to be rid of Sturgis.
2. Melvin Gordon comes back strong
Melvin Gordon missed the team’s game against the Tennessee Titans in London and got some rest over the bye week, but came back as good as he’s ever been. Gordon has been an efficient runner.
This game really brought out some of Gordon’s best strengths-violent, downhill running and great balance. It feels like Gordon has really blossomed into a 100-yard-a-game back, along with what he does in the passing game. He’s also been working with a better offensive line this year than in previous seasons.
And you bet Gordon will be a huge part of the team’s upcoming games. Oakland, Denver and Arizona rank 29th, 30th and 28th in run defense, respectively. Let Gordon keep feasting on opposing defenses.