San Diego Chargers: Game Awards For The Bolts in Loss Vs St Louis Rams
The San Diego Chargers suffered another disappointing loss as they fell to the St. Louis Rams 20-17.
The Chargers are looking worse and worse as the weeks go by, seeming to fix one problem only to develop more.
There were things to like in this game, but there were certainly things that Chargers fans will want to forget.
So, here are this weeks awards for the 2-4 San Diego Chargers.
It Was Over When...
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The Chargers failed to stop Steven Jackson on the Ram's final drive.
Ron Rivera and the Chargers defense had to see this coming. Sam Bradford has played very well, but, when the game is on the line, the Rams were always going to go with their workhorse running back.
Despite this apparently obvious nugget of information, the Chargers failed to stop Steven Jackson from converting a key third-and-long play in the last two and a half minutes of the game.
The San Diego Chargers were rolling on offense, but the defense just couldn't find a solution to No. 39.
The Man Of The Match
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Eric Weddle
I don't think anyone on the San Diego Chargers played a better game and played with more intensity than FS Eric Weddle.
Weddle had 11 tackles, one assisted tackle, and one pass deflection, and was all over the place, especially on run defense.
Weddle had phenomenal timing when playing on the line, and was leading the charge in keeping Steven Jackson contained.
Even though the Chargers lost this one, Eric Weddle should head back to San Diego with his head held high, because he left it all out on the football field.
The LVP (Least Valuable Player) Award
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Nate Kaeding
For the casual fan, it may be hard to believe that the most accurate kicker in NFL history misses all too often, especially in clutch situations.
Even then, they can understand that sometimes he's being asked to kick from out of his range, or containment breaks down, or the hold is off, or something.
No one would believe what happened today.
The Chargers needed Kaeding's second field goal badly, as it would tie the game and could help send it into overtime.
Instead, Nate Kaeding lost his footing as he was moving in to kick the ball and ended up line-driving it way right.
San Diego Chargers players and fans will be having Vietnam-esque flashbacks of last years playoff loss to the New York Jets tonight.
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The Most Missed Player Award
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Antonio Gates
Antonio Gates left the game after halftime after being rolled up on by a Rams defensive lineman.
The Chargers clearly missed him on the field.
While Philip Rivers had no trouble stringing together a touchdown drive in the waning minutes of the football game, it was clear that he was struggling without his best target on the field.
The Chargers offense looked off today, and losing Gates made things even worse.
The Underperformer Award
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Antoine Cason
Getting a read on Cason this season has been near impossible. He has played some games really well, and others he has looked more like a backup than a starter.
Today was one of the latter days.
Cason missed a lot of tackles, had zero pass deflections, and simply looked lost on the field.
Expect draft bust talks to start up once again.
The (Lack Of) Job Security Award
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Darren Sproles
To make this clear right off the bat, Darren Sproles' position in the running back rotation is not in jeopardy.
His role as return man, as well as his future with the Chargers, most certainly is.
He is averaging 7.2 yards per return on punts and 22.2 yards per return on kicks and has not returned one to the house yet.
This looks like it could be an issue with special teams, but, ultimately, it isn't.
Sproles simply doesn't seem like the player of old, failing to display the shiftiness and breakaway speed that made him so deadly in the past.
After the Chargers signed rookie receiver Richard Goodman from the practice squad last week, Sproles could be headed towards the bench in favor of the former practice squader who was very effective on returns during the preseason.
The Message From The Commissioner Award
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Kevin Burnett
Kevin Burnett can expect to hear from the Commissioner really soon concerning a hit he put on Rams quarterback Sam Bradford.
While there was no penalty called on the field, Burnett most certainly made helmet-to-helmet contact with Bradford, and it will cost him.
A suspension is doubtful, but a hefty fine could be in order.
Stat Of The Game
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7 sacks
The San Diego Chargers may have fixed their special teams play (for the most part), but something new is breaking down.
The Chargers offensive line gave up a whopping seven sacks against a Rams defense that had three in their previous five games.
If the offensive line continues to let Philip Rivers take this kind of beating, the Chargers may lose their star quarterback before the season is out.
Player to Watch in Week 7
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Patrick Crayton
Crayton had a breakout game this week filling in for the injured Legedu Naanee, and could possibly get some solid playing time against the New England Patriots next week.
Considering that the Patriots are currently ranked 28th against the pass (and allowed Joe Flacco to complete 25 of 33 for 275 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions), Philip Rivers should have a field day next week in San Diego, and Patrick Crayton looks to be a huge target now that the Chargers seem to have a banged up receiving corps.
The Tough Pill to Swallow
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The playoffs may already be out of sight
While crazier things have happened, the San Diego Chargers do not look at all like a playoff team right now, and they continue to shoot themselves in the foot week after week after week.
The Chargers are now down two games from first place in the AFC West, and they don't seem to want to change that.
They will also have a hard time locking up a wild card spot, since they would likely need to win 9-10 of their remaining games to lock up the spot.
Questions? Comments? Concerns?
11 of 11Bring on the comments, I'm here to answer your questions.
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