NFL Week 7 Thoughts

Thought the Chargers moved away from their identity last week versus the Chiefs. The majority of Rivers passes were down the field instead of the short passing game that has made this offense a success. Maybe it was the way the Chiefs played defense (I haven't watched the game on Rewind yet), but if that's the case it's an issue also. That would mean that the Chargers' future opponents are going to play them the same way and dare the Chargers to beat them deep. 

With Jason Varett out and Branden Flowers playing hurt, the Chargers' defense isn't the same. Still, the Chargers were able to win last year without those guys. More than any other game this season the offense needed to protect the defense, but it was the Chiefs who dominated the time of possession. Also, the last two drives into Chiefs territory resulted in FGs. Rivers wasn't sharp, missing Floyd on a couple end zone throws. A TD in either of those drives and the Chargers had a decent chance of escaping with a win. 

How in the world did the Seahawks get fooled on that punt? If you haven't seen it the Rams duped the Seahawks punt coverage team by pretending to receive the punt on one side of the field, while the punt was actually fielded on the other side. Wouldn't it be called in the huddle which side of the field their punter is kicking the ball so they can set the coverage? They tried to explain it in this article on Business Insider, but that even makes it worse for the Seahawks. According to the article, Seahawk punter Jon Ryan almost always punts to his left when he's trying to pin teams deep. 

The Broncos victory over the 49ers was the best game I've seen a team play in quite a while. As a Charger fan I'm hoping that's an anomaly and not who the Broncos really are. If that's who the Broncos really are, give them the Super Bowl trophy now, because if they play like that every week no one is going to beat them. Oh and congratulations to Peyton Manning for the career TD record. It's crazy to know that he could realistically push the record close to 600 before he retires.

Speaking of records, DeMarco Murray broke Jim Brown's record for consecutive 100 yard games to start a season, going for 100+ in his 7th straight game. A lot of football people consider Brown a running back god, so breaking one of his records is a really big deal. Those same people may diminish the accomplishment by saying it's easier to run now with spread offenses, but there's always two sides to a coin. With spread offenses, less and less backs have the opportunity to carry the ball enough times to get to 100. Many teams are protecting the health of their RBs by platooning, also leading to less opportunities. In today's NFL a back has to pass protect and catch passes or he isn't going to stay in the game, again leading to less RBs with an opportunity to go for 100 yards a game.  Finally, if it was so easy, why hasn't anyone done it before Murray?

Are Green Bay Packers fans relaxing now?

What happened to the Legend of Doom? Russell Wilson becomes the first QB to throw for 300+ and rush for 100+ in the same game...and the Seahawks lose.

The Saints are in trouble. Maybe the anomaly wasn't when they missed the playoffs two years ago, but when they made the playoffs last year.

I still believe the Patriots are a declining club, but with a 5-2 record they keep finding ways to win. They still needed a blocked FG to get pass the lowly Jets.

Will the Jaguars winning (and convincingly over the Browns 24-6), the Raiders are the remaining winless club. Coincidently, they play the Browns next week. The Raiders remaining schedule includes only 2 teams with records currently below .500 (at St. Louis, home vs the Bills). Not saying they won't win a game, but the thought did cross my mind.