Chargers vs. Colts: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly for the Bolts
The San Diego Chargers have put another win in their books after bringing down the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football.
There was a lot to like in the Chargers' win. Great defense and big plays were showcased early and often in this one.
However, there was also a lot not to like in the course of this game.
So let''s get a little more detailed. Here is the good, the bad, and the ugly from San Diego's Sunday night win over the Indianapolis Colts.
The Good: Antonio Garay
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I feel like I bring up Antonio Garay every week. He has turned out to be one of the best acquisitions for the San Diego Chargers this year, and he really proved his worth this week.
I wonder, then, why it is so hard to find photos and news items about this guy.
Garay had a lot of great plays Sunday night, including a play that should have been a sack for him, where he backed the Colts' right guard all the way back into Peyton Manning so hard that the quarterback was knocked over.
Garay is playing out of his mind football this year, he is a leading reason as to why the Chargers have been able to cover the run and pressure the quarterback so well, and it is time to recognize that.
Congratulations Antonio Garay, you are playing high quality football.
The Good: San Diego Chargers Defense
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The San Diego Chargers didn't score an offensive touchdown until the fourth quarter, and yet they managed to put together a fairly comfortable win.
How?
Defense. Arguably the best defense the Chargers have played all season.
Four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.
One sack (coupled with countless knockdowns).
303 total yards allowed.
The Colts haven't lost by this big of a point margin in 13 seasons. That should say it all.
The Good: Mike Tolbert
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As those of you who have read some of my articles know, I love Mike Tolbert. He brings a physicality to every game that is just plain fun to watch.
With another great performance Sunday night, I was starting to wonder: would it almost have been better for the Chargers to move Tolbert to the starting spot and use the draft pick they used on Ryan Mathews on another player?
Of course, that's ridiculous thinking, but you have to admit, 103 yards and one touchdown would be a great game for any featured back.
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The Bad: The Chargers' Opening Drive Defense
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The Chargers played great defense Sunday night, that much is clear.
However, there was one thing that seemed like it was going to cost them, and that was another slow start on defense to open the game.
Last week, the Chargers looked like they couldn't stop anything in the first drive of the Denver Broncos.
The same thing happened this week. The Colts drove all the way down the field seemingly effortlessly to post the game's first touchdown.
The Chargers don't really seem to need to worry about fixing this, considering the fact that they seem perfectly capable of playing defense after this, but it does get worrisome sometimes.
The Bad: Antoine Cason
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Before the angry comments start coming my way, let me concede some ground here.
If I could have a middle ground between the good and the bad, Cason would be in it. However, there is not, so here Cason sits.
Antoine Cason confuses me.
Some weeks he plays at a relatively high level. He seems to be in the right place at the right time, he comes up with big plays, and generally takes care of business.
This week was not quite one of those weeks. Sure, the receiving numbers against him weren't massive, but he got caught making some big mistakes that seemed due to lack of concentration, and it continues to make me wonder about his status as a draft bust or not.
The Bad: Marcus McNeill
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Something tells me Marcus McNeill is still working himself back into the routine.
Perhaps it was the fact that he was continually muscled back by Dwight Freeney (which isn't all that bad consider that it is, after all, Dwight Freeney).
Perhaps it was all the times he got turned around while blocking tonight.
Perhaps it was about some of the obvious penalties that he got away with.
Who knows, but something seems off to me about him...
Of course this is all sarcasm. McNeill is looking a little vulnerable every game, but we'll just chalk that up to the long holdout period.
For now.
The Ugly: The Officiating
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This really should be mentioned in an article being written for Colts fans, but I have to let them all know that everyone acknowledges what went on Sunday night.
The men in stripes really let it slip, especially in crucial situations.
Peyton Manning had two interceptions returned for interceptions. The first was legitimate. The second was created by Eric Weddle, who got away with a pretty obvious case of pass interference en route to six points.
Wins are great, but when points get handed to you like that, it doesn't really feel right, does it?
The Ugly: The Big Debut of Vincent Jackson
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Today was supposed to be the big, heroic return for receiver Vincent Jackson after holding out for ten games and spending three games on the roster exempt list.
So much for that.
Vincent Jackson was in for exactly one play before exiting for the rest of the night due to a calf injury.
For a guy who has a lot to prove, he really didn't make much of a statement in his first game back.
The Ugly: Offensive Playcalling
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Philip Rivers did not throw a single touchdown pass in the game. He was 19 for 23 for 185 yards and zero interceptions, but there was still a big goose egg in the touchdown column. Why?
Simply put, the offensive play calling Sunday night was boring at best.
The Chargers relied on defense and power running to win the game for them, which is all good and fine, but when you have Philip Rivers under center, you have to give him the opportunity to make some plays with his arm. They did not go deep, and they hardly did anything to establish a good rhythm on offense.
This needs to be fixed, because the Chargers aren't going to be able to rely on their defense for everything.
Questions? Comments? Concerns?
10 of 10Comments are more than just welcome, they're encouraged! (But seriously, let's have those opinions people.)
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