Don't Pack Up the Playbook Till the Game Is Over

After watching the first three Cleveland offensive drives last Sunday, I thought for sure I'd be writing about how much the Chargers were missing Merriman and Weddle on defense. Watching the last three Cleveland offensive drives, I was beginning to think I'd be writing a tirade about why you don't start packing up to go home before the game is over.

It never ceases to amaze me how NFL teams will dominate another team for most of the game, then go into a prevent defense in the fourth quarter and lose the game.

Obviously, changes need to be made when a team is sending five potential receivers down field, but too often teams put in passive defensive packages that let their opponents walk all the way down into the red zone. 

Bring in the nickel back, hey, bring in the dime if you need to, but leave the 20-cent defense on the bench. Dropping eight into coverage, and only rushing three gives a solid NFL quarterback too much time to either find something happening down field or to make something happen.

When a defense has been successfully putting pressure on an opposing quarterback all day long, it makes no sense to me to stop putting pressure on him down the stretch.

Case in point was the Chargers game against the Browns on Sunday. 

While the Bolts struggled early to put pressure on Brady Quinn, Cleveland marched commandingly down the field on its first three possessions. Then Ron Rivera made some adjustments, and the Chargers consistently harassed Quinn through the second, third, and most of the fourth quarter with obvious results—they shut down Cleveland's offense.

It appeared the game was in hand early in the fourth quarter when the Charger passing game handed the ball over to the less-than-potent running game. The pass-rush portion of the playbook was then packed up with about five minutes left to play, and a 20-point lead. 

Enter the infamous prevent defense.

Unfortunately, the Browns didn't get the memo that the game was over, and quickly hacked apart that lead with a meat cleaver. Fortunately, San Diego was able to heat the fryers back up just in time to finish them off.

What was really a dominant outing for the Chargers looked like they squeaked past one of the worst teams in the league according to the box score.

And maybe they did. 

With the Broncos only a game back, and the playoffs looming ahead, now is the time to build the habit of finishing off games with ruthless efficiency. 

Never forget the 2007 playoff game against the Patriots.

On another note, the game against the Browns on Sunday could be a metaphor for the Chargers' season. A slow start, followed by a stretch of dominating play, and ending with a reminder that you need to get up for every team down the stretch, and stay up for all four quarters.

Many of San Diego's strengths were embodied by the game against the Browns, as well as many of its weaknesses.

The passing game continues to perform at a high level, while the running game continues to be lackluster.

One highlight of the running game that must be mentioned is that it's been very successful in the red zone as of late. 

What would seem to be counter intuitive, is the effectiveness with which the line has been opening holes inside the five yard line against nine-plus in the box when they seem to have trouble against seven or eight everywhere else on the field.

If you are a Bolts fan, this trend is very encouraging.

The defense did not put the same kind of pressure on the quarterback against the Browns as it had during the previous five games. This was most likely due to the absence of Merriman and Weddle. They are both probable to play against Dallas, so we'll see.

Still, a tip of the hat is due the defensive coaching staff for making solid adjustments after getting clobbered on the first three drives. Cleveland's offense was largely ineffective after that till the very end of the game.

Did I mention I hate prevent defenses?

Overall, there are very encouraging things happening in San Diego right now. Adjusting to counter opponents, success in the red zone, and winning despite injuries are all very good signs.

Let's just hope that the Chargers continue to play their game, their dominating game, for all four quarters regardless of the opponent, or the score.