State Of The Union: San Diego Chargers Offense Week 14
The New England Patriots head to San Diego for a matchup of two teams battling for the playoffs. The Patriots defense showed holes in a battered defense last week at Green Bay and they are vulnerable. The Chargers offense played a perfect game last week at Baltimore and they will need it against the Patriots defense.
Phillip Rivers had a near perfect game last week against the Ravens. He had 383 yards and 3 touchdowns but the key stat was 9-11 on 3rd down. Aaron Rodgers shredded the Patriots for 368 passing yards because he exploited the mismatches by the Patriots weaker corners. It will be important for Rivers to get the ball to the mismatches then take the shots to his go to guys when the Patriots let up.
The Chargers weapons in the passing offense are Antonio Gates, Keenan Allen, Malcolm Floyd, Eddie Royal, and Ladarius Green. Allen is expected to be on Revis Island and Gates will get the double team from a linebacker and Devin McCourty. Watch the matchups on Floyd and Royal to be exploited by Rivers. The Patriots 2nd and 3rd corners do not have the size to stop Floyd or the speed to catch Royal therefore both players have a chance for a big game.
Ryan Matthews has got the call 30% of the offenses plays. That is important because it has been enough running to give Rivers and the passing offense a chance to bring in the defense and get a read. Matthews has also played well in pass blocking situations and helping out the offensive line. If Matthews can shoulder enough of the load that the passing offense can succeed then that is the role he can excel in.
The Chargers offensive line stepped up last week in Baltimore. They only allowed Rivers to be sacked twice and were making the last second blocks on key plays. Injuries have plagued the line this week for D.J. Fluker and Chris Watt. Fluker suffered a concussion Wednesday in practice but was cleared for non contact on Friday so hopefully he’ll be 100% for the game. Chris Watt had a calf injury at Baltimore and tested out his leg in Friday practice. If Watt is unable to play at center then Trevor Robinson will start, the Chargers 5th center this season.
The Chargers have momentum on their side and can exploit the Patriots for success. The defense cannot match up against the Chargers offensive weapons therefore it will be a shoot out. The defense that forces a key turnover that the offense turns into a touchdown will be the game changer. The Chargers will play the Patriots at 5:30 p.m. Pacific on NBC.