Chargers vs. Patriots: 5 Second-Half Adjustments San Diego Must Make

The New England Patriots currently lead the San Diego Chargers 20-7.

Tom Brady is performing just as well as he did last week in his record-breaking performance against the Miami Dolphins. 

The Chargers offense has looked good, but they couldn't get any points when they failed to score on 4th and goal from the half-yard line.

Here are five adjustments that the Chargers must make in the second half to win.

Put More Pressure on Tom Brady

The Chargers must put constant pressure on Tom Brady. Whenever Brady has time to sit in the pocket, he tears the defense apart. The Chargers have to devise different blitzes and keep from rushing only three linemen. 

Every time pressure has been put on Brady, the Chargers defense has played well. When they have rushed three, they have gotten beat terribly.

If Brady isn't flustered in the second half, then there is absolutely no way that the Chargers can come back in this game. 

The Safeties Need to Step Up

On the first touchdown of the game, Bob Sanders was outmuscled by Aaron Hernandez in the end zone.

On the second touchdown of the game for the Patriots, Eric Weddle let Rob Gronkowski score in the end zone.

The supposedly very good safety tandem for the Chargers have gotten schooled in the first half. They need to step up big time in the second half for the Chargers to have a chance to win.

Stop the Patriots' Tight Ends

The linebackers and safeties for the Chargers have gotten schooled by Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski. 

Greg Manusky must come up with a scheme at halftime that will slow down the two talented tight ends. If the Chargers cannot figure out a way to stop Hernandez and Gronkowski, then Brady will continue to find the two for big plays.

There's no way the Chargers can win if the Patriots' tight ends aren't stopped. Manusky should use a combination of cornerbacks, safeties, and linebackers to cover Gronkowski and Hernandez because they are far too talented to be covered just by the same person over and over.

Get Antonio Gates Involved

Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd are playing excellent so far, but the Chargers have to bring Antonio Gates into the offense.

Gates is one of the best tight ends in the history of football. He has been open on several plays, but Rivers hasn't found him. Even Randy McMichael has more catches than Gates. 

If Rivers works Gates into the offense, then the Patriots will have a very hard time guarding him, Jackson, and Floyd at the same time. The three players are far too big for the Patriots' defensive backs.

Utilize Ryan Mathews More

Ryan Mathews has looked very fast and elusive when carrying the ball. However, he hasn't touched the ball enough. 

Mike Tolbert is a very good player, but the Chargers use him too much in some situations. Mathews has to be given the ball more and if he does get the ball more, he will be very effective.