Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers' Passing Game Sharp in Loss to Atlanta Falcons

(Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

It was deja-vu all over again, as they say. The San Diego Chargers found themselves in a similar position: defending a fourth-and-goal up by more than a field goal in the closing seconds of the game. 

So when the Falcons scored the game winning touchdown on a five yard pass with nine seconds to play, you couldn't help but think about how Week One ended last season.

Losing in the final seconds to the Carolina Panthers on opening day got the Chargers' season off to a heartbreaking start. Just the kind of start they're hoping to avoid this year. 

The 27-24, loss to the Falcons Saturday night underscored how crucial every play is, even if it's just the preseason. The second half collapse overshadowed an otherwise stellar performance that saw the Chargers take a 21-13, lead into the half.  

The offense was without Antonio Gates and LaDainian Tomlinson but didn't miss a beat while the defense held it's own despite not creating any turnovers or getting any, and I mean any, pressure on Atlanta passers. 

Having to be relatively pleased, Coach Turner pull most of the starters by halftime giving some other players a gook look. And with no injuries of note, the game has to be seen as a success. 

Having Dan Fouts in the booth for first of five nationally televised Chargers games was a nice touch. He had some sweet Chargers trivia  questions that Gumbel, whichever one it was, had no clue on. 

Here's how I saw the Chargers grading out by position tonight: 

Quarterbacks: A

Another ridiculous performance showcasing the riches the Bolts have at the position. In the first half the Chargers were seven-for-eight on third down conversions and I'm not talking third and short situations. 

These were third and 13, third and 24, third and 17 conversions on the same drive. Too many get out of jail free cards if you ask me. There are only so many times you can pull the rabbit out of the hat. Let's just hope they don't think it's always going to be this easy.

That said, There aren't a lot of down and distances this offense can't convert, they're that good. Rivers and Billy Volek both averaged over 11 yards per attempt, a huge number, in another example of the down the field mentality. The two QBs also spread the ball around, connecting with nine different receivers in the first half. 

Receivers: A

Was there a catch they didn't make? Vincent Jackson's 32-yard, one-handed, pirouette-catch down the left sideline was masterful. He's going to have a big year. 

Malcom Floyd had a very strong game catching everything thrown his way. Got slammed, but that's going to happen the way he plays. 

Buster Davis also made some nice catches in what is looking like the deepest receiving corps the Chargers have had in years. 

Running Backs: B+

A very productive night for this group, who combined for 118 yards rushing on 30 carries, a touchdown and no fumbles. It was also screen pass madness out there with backs catching 11 balls for 149 yards and a touchdown.

Have the Falcons ever seen a screen pass? It didn't look like it. 

Darren Sproles makes people miss like few others running it or catching it. I do worry about him getting overworked, but there's no doubt he's the best change of pace back in the NFL. 

Michael Bennett is underrated big time. Still has the speed too, taking a screen pass 48 yards to the house. It was clear in last season's playoffs that Bennett was valuable, but I don't think a whole lot of people saw him being this good.

Rookie Gartrell Johnson ran hard, hitting the hole with conviction. He took some shots and delivered some as well. Caught the ball well and broke off a 48 yard run late. If Johnson looks this good next week it could be interesting at the back-up running back position.

And it may be Jacob Hester who is the odd man out. He looked slow and tentative running the ball against Atlanta's second team. He wasn't exactly blowing people up at fullback either. 

Offensive Line: C+

After the sack-fest debacle last the line's pass protection improved greatly. The only sack which came off a corner blitz which the Chargers had trouble with throughout the night.

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