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Los Angeles Chargers: How they have a shot to upset the Rams
by Tyler Schoon
https://nflspinzone.com/2018/09/18/los-angeles-chargers-how-upset-rams-week-3/
.........The Rams haven’t faced true adversity this season
........"The Rams deserve all the credit for finishing games strong and annihilating teams on the score board. However, there is something to be said about the lack of difficult opponents they’ve faced, having beaten two (now) 0-2 teams with severely depleted rosters.".......
....."Everyone’s picking them as the favorite (oddsmakers have them as seven-point favorites), they’re loved by every analyst, and they have no reason to believe they’ll fall to the Chargers this week. And that’s where the Bolts light them up.".......
........Attacking the linebackers
"For all the Rams’ strengths on the defensive line and corner groups, the linebacker position remains an overlooked area of need by the team. With starting linebacker Mark Barron either out or limited in Week 3, the Chargers have a chance to find quick-hitting mismatches against a soft middle."
......."This is an area where Hunter Henry would have shined, as his sure hands and crafty routes would move the chains quite a bit in this game. However, the Chargers have weapons to spare, and playmakers who are good across the middle":........
....."Against the Oakland Raiders, Goff looked a bit distressed when the Silver and Black came after him with different pass rushers. The Raiders, even without Khalil Mack, managed to keep the game 13-10 at the half and entered the locker room with a lead."......
......."it’ll be hard for the Ram’s high-intelligence offense to throw consistently against the Chargers’ strong group of corners."
Coleman - I never told you this, but my dad was born in Coleman, Alberta.A real pleasure for this Canuck reading about the US military backgrounds of some posters here. Thank you for your service!!
For a couple of reasons, you will never find a more pro-American Canadian than me:
1. My parents escaped from Stalin's Communist Hungary after WWII. So...I KNOW who threw Communism into the dust-bin of history where it belongs.....it wasn't the Brits, it sure wasn't the Frogs.....no, no....IT WAS THE GOOD OL' USA!!! Thank you Ronald Reagan...and thank you Cold War American Military Vets!!
2. As a Canadian Naval Officer during the Cold War, I had the privilege....and it really was A PRIVILEGE to exercise with USN Surface Units off San Diego back in the summer of 1977. I will never forget how gracious the American Officers (including some Admirals) were towards us, and how I was so glad we were on the same side with America against the Ruskies!
To all Americans, I say this:
The vast majority of Canadians truly value our strong relationship with the USA, and identify with Americans, with whom we share a Continent! If you ever hear any anti-American statements coming out of Canada, just remember to discard it....as it is probably coming from some uneducated, unemployed Frenchman in Quebec!!!
Cheers from Vancouver, BC!!!
Or one at a bar."I usually watch games at home but I think I want to go out for this one. Represent my bolts here locally."
Ok, that makes 15 Charger fans in the stands...
I get what you’re saying but I still like finally being a team that is talked about as a power. I would be surprised if we look past these next two in particular. And I just feel like this group wants to be great - not just good.I think I liked it more when we were playing under the radar. Every game is a trap game it seems. I just hope we don't look past any team. Chargers aren't as bad as they've looked thus far.
Or one at a bar.
Stole my thunder, Stu. Not belabor this point, but one of the first things they do in the military is to weed out the "easily triggered" types, and to teach calm in the storm.
Rangers and SEALS even more so. The brain and the training have to kick in when the sh!t hits the fan. Internet warriors probably don't even hurry their pulse. I'll take those guys all day long.
This. Fans act like they have all the answers. Teams haven’t stopped Tom Brady for 19 years. Yet there’s always a solution on how to do it from opposing fans.Chargers fan: As long as our offense scores points and our defense stops them from scoring points, we got a real good shot at winning this one!
This. Fans act like they have all the answers. Teams haven’t stopped Tom Brady for 19 years. Yet there’s always a solution on how to do it from opposing fans.
https://www.chargers.com/news/bolts-not-backing-down-against-top-ranked-rams-defense
Bolts Not Backing Down Against Top-Ranked Rams Defense
Ricky Henne
The Chargers offense knows it’s in for a test this week, facing a Rams defense that has not allowed a point in six quarters. In fact, they are allowing a league-low 6.5 points per game through two games.
As such, Philip Rivers knows he’s in for a challenge this week, sharing with the media on Wednesday how he broke it down to his young children at home.
“I was just telling my family, my little ones yesterday, (that) they don’t have rankings in the pros like they do in college,” Rivers said. “But they have those (media) power rankings, and this team’s ranked number one right now. So, I was just giving them an idea of the challenge this week. It’s a heck of an opponent and we’re looking forward to it.”
While the Rams have been at the top of their game to start the year defensively, the Bolts have been equally impressive on offense. Thus, while acknowledging it’s a tough test, they remain confident in their ability to put points on the board.
They simply will remain true to who they are.
“We have a horizontal passing attack,” Head Coach Anthony Lynn said earlier this week. “So we are going to spread the defense out and try to get the guys the ball who are in the right holes.”
“I feel like we've got a good plan,” added Offensive Coordinator Ken Whisenhunt. “We're still working on it, and it will be interesting and exciting to see how it plays out.”
When they take the field, Rivers and company will face a defense that will look familiar to many of them.
Rams Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips was Lynn’s first NFL coach when the pair was with the Broncos in 1993. Although more than 20 years have passed, Lynn knows Phillips’ traits will be on display this Sunday.
“I played for him during my rookie year in the league,” Lynn said. “I know what he's like on defense and know what he brings to that organization with leadership. That defense is going to be salty.”
Phillips also served as DC for the Bolts from 2004-2006, so Rivers went up against his scheme repeatedly at practice. Not only that, it’s also a similar defense that John Pagano ran for the Bolts when he served as defensive coordinator from 2012-2016.
While that familiarity can help, it will only do so to an extent.
At times, it can even be a detriment.
“It does help because you understand what they're trying to do,” Whisenhunt explained. “But it also hurts you because they know what you do and how you adjust to what they do. So, it's a constant chess match for lack of a better (phrase).”
Overall, the Rams don’t try to fool you with what they run. They believe they are going to out-execute you even though you know what’s coming.
“They don't try to trick you with their scheme,” Rivers said. “They just line up and say they're better than you. That works for them a lot of the time. So, it will be a heck of a challenge. You've seen what they've done the last two weeks, but the last six quarters really not giving up a score. They're a good defense.”
At the same time, the Bolts are equally confident in their offense, and for good reason.
The Chargers offense has been among the most potent in the league thus far, ranking third in total offense (445.0 yards per game), third in passing (329.0 ypg), 11th in rushing (116.0 ypg) and eighth in points (29.5).
Rivers has played against a Phillips’ coached defense many times, and both sides have come out on top.
Sunday will simply be the next chapter in their story.
“We've had so many games (against him),” he explained. “Some games were good (where) we've been on the winning end (and) plenty where we haven't. They’re putting the same ones away, too, in their memory banks. It's a little bit of that chess match that you play. But, again, I don't think we're going to fool them.
Just knowing Wade, I don't think he's over there drawing up ways to fool us. It's just going to be who can out execute (who). Not so much fool, but sprinkle in something we haven't seen in a while, just like we're trying to do. We're going to try to get first downs, score points and they’re trying to keep us off the field. Like I said, in the last six quarters, they've been very successful in doing that.”
It’s going to be a heck of a battle come Sunday, and it might all come down to playing smart and sound football.
“We've got to play smart football,” Rivers said. “Not (be) reckless, but be aggressive and take what they give (us). Be smart and move on. They're going to make some plays for sure. And it's a matter of (us) making more than them and do it more consistently.”
Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking. It's going to awfully difficult for the bills to pull out a win in Minny. Hopefully the viking takes them for granted.. they're going to have a fight on thier hands for sure. Wounded dog scenarioMeanwhile the Vikes get the hapless Bills in a home game. They'll be rested for Thursday.
I think I liked it more when we were playing under the radar.