Chargers came out hot scoring on their first two drives, then suddenly went flat. Opposite of the last two games, where they came out flat and then woke up. Chargers gained 150 yards and scored two TDs in those first two drives. They didn't score another TD the rest of the game and ended with 288 total yards. Statistically, it was Phillip Rivers worse game of the season.
Kicker Michael Badgley saved the game for the Chargers. Yes, you read that right, a kicker was the Chargers savior instead of the goat. Badgley went 4-4 in FGs for the Chargers last 12 points including a 49 yarder and francise record 59 yarder in the last play of the first half.
It's encouraging to see the Chargers win in different ways each week, it's discouraging that they weren't able to put together a complete game this late in the season against a team that was missing their starting QB and #1 WR.
It would be tough to prepare for everything the Chiefs can/will throw at you offensively in a full week. Chargers have to do it in a short week plus losing a day to travel.
Ravens played the Chiefs the best I've seen so far. Raven's are unique in that they play a lot of 3 safety with two of the three often lining up on the line of scrimmage. They make the offense try to figure out who's rushing and who's dropping back into coverage. They blitz a lot, sending a LB or one of the Safeties (or a combination of both). Saw Mahomes get happy feet for the first time, running out of the pocket even though everyone was blocked. Raven's held the Chiefs to 17 points up until the last drive. Mahomes still led the Chiefs to a game tying TD and eventual win in OT. He converted two 4th downs including a 4th and 9th with a 48 yard strike to Tyrek Hill scrambling to the right and throwing deep back over the middle...something you are never supposed to do in the NFL.
Chargers Safety Derwin James has lined up in every defensive position except Middle Linebacker and Nose Tackle. S Adrian Phillips lines up as the weak side LB on Nickle and Dime packages. But the Chargers don't blitz very often. 22.5 of their 32 sacks have come from the D-line. Joey Bosa's return has helped immensely in that area, recording 4 sacks in 4 games.
Everyone is acting like this is a game for the #1 seed, but in reality the Chiefs will still remain a on top of the Division even if they lose. The Chiefs have the divisional tie-breaker because the Chargers loss to Denver. Chargers also still have the possibility of not making the playoffs. With a10-3 record and games @KC, vs. Ravens, @ Denver remaining, there is a possibility the Chargers could lose all 3 and end up 10-6. The Dolphins, Ravens, Colts, and Titans are currently 7-6. What if two or more of those teams win their 3 remaining games and the Chargers end up in a 3-5 team tie at 10-6? Not sure how the tie-breakers would shake out in each scenario.
Thoughts on the rest of Week 14
Another sign this isn't the same Patriots. Yes I know about the Pats struggles in Miami, but the Pats don't lose games like this. They are too well coached, too disciplined. Always in the right place to make plays. They don't make crucial mistakes and seem to always come up with the big play when they need it. Well not this game. Steve Gronkoski missed an extra point. Pats have 1st and goal at the Miami 2 with 21 seconds left in the half. Two incomplete passes and a sack later, the clock runs out and the Pats come away with no points. You've probably already seen how it ended, but what was Rob Gronkowski doing in the game with the Dolphins on their own 31? No way Ryan Tannehill could reach the end zone on a Hail Mary from there. Tannehill hits Kenny Stills just short of midfield, he avoids a tackle, and two pitches later RB Kenyan Drake breaks into the open with only Gronkowski to beat. I really can't say that a defensive player would have made the tackle, but Gronk, being a TE, takes a bad angle and doesn't even lay a finger on Drake.
Saints have been shut down. The Rams have been shut down. The only offense that hasn't been shut down are the Chiefs, with their only losses coming on 40-43 and 51-54 shoot outs. Barring a complete collapse, in the AFC, the road to the Super Bowl will go through Kansas City. It's a tough place to get a road win, but I also wonder how the Chiefs will fair if the weather does what no defense has done so far...limit their passing game.
That Thursday game was big. Sure the Chiefs still have the upper hand, but one nothing is set in stone and two, this has to give them even more confidence. Hopefully Allen's injury isn't too bad and he'll back soon but they beat the Chiefs in KC, without their starting RB and Allen for most of the game. And Rivers didn't have that great a game either with some questionable throws and bad interceptions. Great win. Wish I had stayed up for it. Alas I fell asleep at the end of the third quarter...just when everything got good.
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