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Lessons from Chargers Week 3 home loss to Texans

By William Struthers

CARSON, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Kenny Stills #12 of the Houston Texans and defensive back Roderic Teamer #36 of the Los Angeles Chargers fall after a pass play at Dignity Health Sports Park on September 22, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
CARSON, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Kenny Stills #12 of the Houston Texans and defensive back Roderic Teamer #36 of the Los Angeles Chargers fall after a pass play at Dignity Health Sports Park on September 22, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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Chargers Offense: Continued

CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Houston Texans at Dignity Health Sports Park on September 22, 2019, in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Houston Texans at Dignity Health Sports Park on September 22, 2019, in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Quarterback/Wide receivers/Tight ends

Rivers had a good game on Sunday, especially considering the constant pressure he had to deal with. Rivers finished 31 of 46 (ten more pass attempts than last week) for 318 yards and two touchdowns.

Philip was hit 12 times and sacked five, which is never good for possibly the least-mobile quarterback in the NFL. Rivers seemed to hold on to the ball for too long on certain plays and uncharacteristically missed a couple of check downs.

Point being, the pressure from the Texans defensive line was non stop and seemed to throw Philip off his game in certain situations. Sunday against winless Miami is a good chance for Rivers to get into a great rhythm and stay in that groove all game.

The biggest positive from this game was the play of Keenan Allen. The under-appreciated star brought in 13 receptions for 183 yards (career-high) and two touchdowns. Keenan has been a bright spot through three games, showing why he belongs in the top five conversation for receivers. Allen currently leads the league in receptions (29), targets and yards (404).

The Chargers need other receivers to step up.  Williams has been good while nursing his knee injury (nothing serious), but that is really about it. The passing game right now seems to be either Keenan, Williams, or a designed screen to Ekeler or Jackson. With Hunter Henry down for a few weeks, the Bolts need another guy they can rely on. Travis Benjamin doesn’t seem to be that guy, he dropped a couple of balls on Sunday, including a drop late in the fourth quarter on a perfect ball from Rivers that could have tied the game up.

The Chargers need to find ways to utilize Dontrelle Inman and Virgil Green more, which could spread out the defense and give Rivers more consistent options.

For now, all fans can do is truly appreciate the play of Allen, who is on pace for a historic year.

keenan appreciation tweet@Keenan13Allen | #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/QsZ4OZiKlt

— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) September 23, 2019

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