Chargers vs Patriots: Final thoughts
For those keeping score at home, that’s 23 total plays on offense, where only four featured positive play from the entire offensive line. The tally for the culprits along the line is as folllows:
- LT Russell Okung: Three
- LG Dan Feeney: Five
- C Mike Pouncey: Three
- RG Michael Schofield: Three
- RT Sam Tevi: Eight
Not included are positive plays or plays where it was the entire unit.
Unsurprisingly, Feeney and Tevi are the main men at fault here, with either one or both being a problem 13 different times in 23 plays. Again, that’s just the first half. These are two potential starters heading into 2019, though Forrest Lamp may find himself occupying one of three spots this season.
It’s baffling, and concerning. Rivers is the best quarterback most fans have ever seen play for the Chargers, and one of the three most important players in franchise history. The thought that the front office and coaching staff believes an upgrade at one position via Lamp is enough to fix the disaster of a line from the Divisional Round is insulting. Tevi is not the right tackle this quarterback deserves, nor are Feeney and Schofield the kind of guards that should be protecting an immobile player. There are fans who will turn against other fans who say these players are not of Super Bowl quality, stating that they are doubters, disbelievers, even haters; but maybe they’re just game film-watchers? No fan wants this team to fail and get blown out in the playoffs (again); they just want the best for their team, and certainly for their favorite quarterback. And if that is the offensive line the Chargers decide to field in January, don’t be surprised to see them fall short again.