If you are a Chargers fan, then tonight was rock bottom. After having a 24-0 lead at halftime against the Denver Broncos, only to lose 35-24 on their own field, it's hard to find words to describe the events witnessed when it feels like you were punched in the gut, kicked in the testicles, and then stabbed repeatedly in the heart. As promising as everything seemed after this team started 3-1 (with the exception of the Falcons game), the past two weeks have been an absolute embarrassment. It takes a total team effort to contribute to an epic failure like this.
Philip Rivers threw four interceptions and fumbled during the final drive, which has become as predicable as the sun rising in the east. The lack of a formidable offensive line and reliable receiving corps has seriously skewed Rivers' decision making. The Broncos made Rivers very uncomfortable in the 2nd half, forcing three interceptions, two of which were by Chris Harris, the last resulting in a pick-6 that would prove to be the nail in the coffin for San Diego. It has become painfully obvious that Rivers does not trust his line to give him more than 2-3 seconds to find a receiver. His feet are always moving, he's forcing passes into tight spaces, and, as seen with the horribly under-thrown pass to Robert Meachem, he's throwing off his back foot. Rivers is not a mobile QB and needs protection in the pocket to be effective, and he's not getting it.
Ryan Mathews did what he could on the ground today, carrying the ball 22 times for 74 yards, but a stingy Broncos defense never allowed him to break for a big scamper. It was the first time in four games against Denver that Mathews failed to break 120 yards rushing. Ronnie Brown added 3 carries for 13 yards, while Jackie Battle contributed 3 yards on 2 rushes. Overall, a very mediocre day for the running game.
Gates and Floyd, predictably, were the only real receiving threats for the Chargers. Eddie Royal and Robert Meachem were non-factors, as has been the case for most of the year. The two guys that were brought in to be leaders in the passing game appear confused and have little chemistry with Rivers. This team desperately needs a healthy Vincent Brown in the second half of the season.
As was feared by most Charger fans, Peyton Manning took advantage of our embarrassingly weak secondary and lit up Mission Valley with 309 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. The Broncos line did an excellent job protecting Manning, giving him all the time he needed to find the open receiver. Cason and Jammer were, again, confused and over-matched by strong and talented wideouts. Essentially, the rule of thumb for NFL quarterbacks has been to throw it wherever Eric Weddle isn't, and the results are usually devastating for the Bolts.
Finally, we come to Norv Turner and John Pagano. Seriously....WHAT THE FUCK? I am so damn sick and tired of watching our beloved Chargers get run out in the 2nd half like cattle headed to slaughter, all because Turner and Pagano are completely incapable of preparing this team for any adjustments made by the opposing staff. Did they seriously think that Manning and Fox were going to continue doing the same things that weren't working in the 1st half? If there's one thing that we know about a Norv Turner team, it's that it has one gameplan for four quarters of football. If that gameplan doesn't work, we're screwed. Giving up the lead is a death sentence. Limp Bizkit has a better chance of making a comeback than the Chargers do.
San Diego is now headed into a bye week. Plenty of time to review game film, get healthy, and prepare for a very winnable game in Cleveland. Playing against a team with a losing record might not seem like a big deal, but for the Chargers, it is. A convincing win would be a huge confidence boost for a team desperately trying to find themselves. Anything less than total domination is going to raise the same red flags that plagued this team today. After a humiliating loss against a division rival at the Q, you can't help but feel like this is the game that sets the tone for the rest of the season, and ultimately seals the fate of Turner, Pagano, and AJ Smith.
Philip Rivers threw four interceptions and fumbled during the final drive, which has become as predicable as the sun rising in the east. The lack of a formidable offensive line and reliable receiving corps has seriously skewed Rivers' decision making. The Broncos made Rivers very uncomfortable in the 2nd half, forcing three interceptions, two of which were by Chris Harris, the last resulting in a pick-6 that would prove to be the nail in the coffin for San Diego. It has become painfully obvious that Rivers does not trust his line to give him more than 2-3 seconds to find a receiver. His feet are always moving, he's forcing passes into tight spaces, and, as seen with the horribly under-thrown pass to Robert Meachem, he's throwing off his back foot. Rivers is not a mobile QB and needs protection in the pocket to be effective, and he's not getting it.
Ryan Mathews did what he could on the ground today, carrying the ball 22 times for 74 yards, but a stingy Broncos defense never allowed him to break for a big scamper. It was the first time in four games against Denver that Mathews failed to break 120 yards rushing. Ronnie Brown added 3 carries for 13 yards, while Jackie Battle contributed 3 yards on 2 rushes. Overall, a very mediocre day for the running game.
Gates and Floyd, predictably, were the only real receiving threats for the Chargers. Eddie Royal and Robert Meachem were non-factors, as has been the case for most of the year. The two guys that were brought in to be leaders in the passing game appear confused and have little chemistry with Rivers. This team desperately needs a healthy Vincent Brown in the second half of the season.
As was feared by most Charger fans, Peyton Manning took advantage of our embarrassingly weak secondary and lit up Mission Valley with 309 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. The Broncos line did an excellent job protecting Manning, giving him all the time he needed to find the open receiver. Cason and Jammer were, again, confused and over-matched by strong and talented wideouts. Essentially, the rule of thumb for NFL quarterbacks has been to throw it wherever Eric Weddle isn't, and the results are usually devastating for the Bolts.
Finally, we come to Norv Turner and John Pagano. Seriously....WHAT THE FUCK? I am so damn sick and tired of watching our beloved Chargers get run out in the 2nd half like cattle headed to slaughter, all because Turner and Pagano are completely incapable of preparing this team for any adjustments made by the opposing staff. Did they seriously think that Manning and Fox were going to continue doing the same things that weren't working in the 1st half? If there's one thing that we know about a Norv Turner team, it's that it has one gameplan for four quarters of football. If that gameplan doesn't work, we're screwed. Giving up the lead is a death sentence. Limp Bizkit has a better chance of making a comeback than the Chargers do.
San Diego is now headed into a bye week. Plenty of time to review game film, get healthy, and prepare for a very winnable game in Cleveland. Playing against a team with a losing record might not seem like a big deal, but for the Chargers, it is. A convincing win would be a huge confidence boost for a team desperately trying to find themselves. Anything less than total domination is going to raise the same red flags that plagued this team today. After a humiliating loss against a division rival at the Q, you can't help but feel like this is the game that sets the tone for the rest of the season, and ultimately seals the fate of Turner, Pagano, and AJ Smith.
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