Game Preview: Chargers at Texans, Chargers on Offense
by John Gennaro on Nov 4, 2010 4:00 PM PDT
in San Diego Chargers Game Previews
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Chargers Running the Ball
- 15th in Yards/Game (111.6), up from 17th last week.
- 10th in Yards/Carry (4.2), up from 14th last week.
- 2nd in Rush TDs (9), up from 5th last week.
- 19th in Runs for 1st downs (21.5%), down from 14th last week.
- 9th in Runs for 20+ Yards (7), up from 10th last week.
- 29th in Fumbles (7), up from 30th last week.
You want to know how many teams have as many, or more, fumbles than the Chargers this season? Three. The 1-6 Carolina Panthers, the 2-6 Denver Broncos and the 5-2 New York Giants. Wait, what? The Chargers and Giants also share the same home record (3-1) in 2010. So, how did they end up in such different places in terms of records? Well, here's one reason:
The logical point to make is "The Giants Special Teams is not as bad as the Chargers!" Well, you're right. In terms of Special Teams, I like to go by Football Outsiders' figures. Those figures say that the Giants have played the 2nd worst ST next to the Chargers this season, but San Diego's -16.2% weighted DVOA against New York's -7.1% says that the Chargers are still about twice as bad as the Giants.
Do you want another reason that the Chargers are 3-5 against the Giants' 5-2?
Chargers' opponents: 35-25 (only one team under .500)
Giants' opponents: 22-28 (three teams under .500)
Texans Stopping the Run
- 14th in Yards/Game allowed (104.7)
- 15th in Yards/Carry allowed (4.1)
- 21st in Rush TDs allowed (6)
- 28th in Runs for 1st downs against (26.0%)
- 8th in Runs for 20+ Yards allowed (4)
- 32nd in Fumbles recovered (0)
Statistically, it's not the worst run defense in the league. However, Chargers fans should be ecstatic to see that last bullet point. So far this season, the Texans have forced nor recovered any fumbles. Let's hope that continues this Sunday.
The Chargers rushing game looked pretty good last week against Tennessee, who is much better at stopping the run than the Texans, and should hopefully continue to improve each week as Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert get more experience carrying the ball.
Advantage: Chargers.
Chargers Throwing the Ball
- 1st in Yards/Game (315.2), same as last week.
- 1st in Yards/Attempt (8.7), same as last week.
- 2nd in TDs (15), up from 3rd last week.
- 1st in Passes for 1st down (42.3%), same as last week.
- 1st in Passes for 20+ yards (43), same as last week.
- 24th in Sacks taken (21), up from 28th last week.
- 13th in Interceptions thrown (7), down from 12th last week.
It's almost as if the stars are aligning to destroy any decent receiver Philip Rivers might've had with the purpose of winning him an MVP award. It looks like on Sunday the Chargers top receivers will be Patrick Crayton, Seyi Ajirotutu and Gary Banks. Neither Seyi nor Banks was good enough to make the team out of camp, so the fact that they're being asked to be major parts of the offense tells you there's a problem here.
The other issue is at the TE position, where the team thought they had good depth heading into the season. Randy McMichael has been a disappointment and Kris Wilson has taken a step back from a good second-half to the 2009 season. With the TE spot being such a big part of this offense, I expect both of these guys to get chances to catch the ball on Sunday and I hope they play better than they've played so far in 2010.
Texans Defending the Pass
- 32nd in Yards/Game allowed (299.4)
- 29th in Yards/Attempt (7.8)
- 31st in TDs allowed (16)
- 27th in Passes for 1st downs allowed (37.9%)
- 16th in Passes for 20+ yards allowed (23)
- 25th in Sacks (11)
- 30th in Interceptions (4)
Yikes. Depending on who you talk to the Texans have either the worst or second-worst passing defense this season. Based off these numbers I'd say that they play a lot of deep coverage and soft zone to prevent big plays but, because of a mediocre pass rush, opposing QBs have all day to find holes in their defense (and there are many, this secondary/defense is young) and tear them to shreds.
Ever since Marcus McNeill has come back, ignoring his first game where he was still a little rusty, the offensive line has done an excellent job of protecting El Capitan. As long as that continues (Mario Williams could really go nuts at any moment), Rivers should have enough time to let his WRs get open and hit them with one of those side-arm lasers.
Advantage: Chargers.
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Despite my distaste for your team...
I do have a lot of respect for Rivers and I want to see what happens with this match-up. The Texans secondary is the only thing that got Matt Cassel out of the doghouse here in KC. If the rest of the team does what they are supposed to do, Rivers embarrasses these guys. I smell a rout.
Well...we'll see what Rivers can do with his practice squad WRs
I don’t expect anything crazy, but maybe a mid 2000s NE Patriots type passing game- short to intermediate routes that Crayton, Tutu and Banks can handle. Emphasis on the run.
Can’t change the playbook in one week.
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Nov 4, 2010 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Someone who hates the Chargers loves Rivers?
When did that start being allowed by the gods?!
The word was respect, not like.
I think more and more people are being forced to respect him, regardless of how they feel about him. To me, Rivers is a stud. He’s the kind of guy you want on your side in a street fight. People who watch Rivers torch their team, or at least fight like crazy to get back into a game the rest of the team screwed up, end up respecting him. His success was not a flash in the pan and he doesn’t appear to be going anywhere any time soon. He demands respect just by his play. Either that or they just have him on their fantasy team.
by SDreal on Nov 5, 2010 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm doubtfull about the Chargers passing game right now
Its green all the way through. This Washington kid isn’t going to even know the routes. The timing is gonna suck. And this group of WR (sans Crayton) is probably well below average (not that they can’t grow and become better in the future).
Just how good is Philip Rivers to put up all that yardage using so many different receivers?
I think the Chargers Running game needs to step up this week.
I dunno.
I don’t think it matters who Rivers is throwing to. I believe Rivers has made the receivers over the years, sans-Gates. Vincent Jackson and Malcolm Floyd, imho, are direct products of Philip. If they were such great players to begin with, why was one not picked in the 1st rd, and the other not picked at all? Now onto the game…
I like Crayton on the team. He was definitely a sleeper pickup before the season. I remember asking my friend, who’s a Cowboys fan, about the trade. He told me he would be a great addition. I don’t think he predicted the loss of our top-3 receivers, but I’m sure he knew that he had the potential to play how he’s been playing these past few weeks.
Without Gates this Sunday, it should be harder to pass seeing as Gates normally commands a double team, and a specific game-plan to defend against him (which really never really works does it?). With the Texans having one of the worst statistical defenses this year, I think it will be back and forth scoring, until our D gets some stops, maybe some turnovers? Most importantly a Charger Victory.
Go Bolts!
by Itsonlyspencer on Nov 4, 2010 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Establishing the run
That will take a lot of pressure off the green WRs, as the play-action will be in full effect. We all know Norv wants to pass off play-action. It will be particularly important this Sunday.
Can Tutu run the deep routes VJ and Floyd typically handle?
Washington isn't a kid
he’s been in the league since 03. and He’s a Go route specialist. If he takes any snaps at receiver, he might just stretch the defense. Maybe even get a touchdown
The sports team from my geographical area is superior to the sports team from your geographical area and will emerge victorious due to its very superiority.
by Superduperboltman on Nov 5, 2010 5:54 AM PDT up reply actions
This
^^
I don’t expect miracles from the guy by any means, but he’s hardly a kid or a rookie.
We need to see some real production out of our pre-season pick OROY RB this week.
If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!
Robert Hunter
by Buck Melanoma on Nov 5, 2010 7:22 AM PDT up reply actions
Yeah I wrote that before I had red much about Washington
He’s a new fish in our pond though. Who do you think is better?? Washington or Banks?
That go route bit sound promissing with the Texans secondary problems I’ve been reading about.
by Trendsearcher on Nov 5, 2010 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions
That's all Moss did in his first week with the Vikings against the Jets
Cromartie did a decent job on him, but that’s because all he had to do was run in one direction the entire game. From what all the Texans fans are saying, their secondary sucks. Hopefully, that works in our favor and we can get to the bye week with another W.
Philip will get at least 250 yards
This group is basically the same that played in the second half against the rams, and it worked well enough for around 150 yards passing in that half. Its basically switching Tutu for Buster, which at worst is a wash and maybe an upgrade. Lets not forget that the Texans are 32nd against the pass.
the texans are the best at least in that specific category.
The sports team from my geographical area is superior to the sports team from your geographical area and will emerge victorious due to its very superiority.
by Superduperboltman on Nov 5, 2010 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Actually, the Texans have forced and recovered fumbles
They’ve forced four fumbles (with another apparently unforced; bad shotgun snap from center) and recovered two. Collie lost a fumble in the opener, and Gradkowski lost a fumble also. But the Texans have not forced or recovered a running back fumble.
Are Marlon McCree and Antonio Cromartie the same person? Just askin'.
by QLFixBoy on Nov 5, 2010 2:00 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Important (and obvious) Preview Item Not Mentioned
Texans Home Record: 2-2
Chargers Away Record: 0-4
AAdvantage Texans
Update!
Texans Home Record: 2-3
Chargers Away Record: 1-4
Bolts from the Blue // "It is what it is." - A.J. Smith
Bloody Elbow // "Richard is a jewel." - Kid Nate
by Richard Wade on Nov 8, 2010 1:40 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
lol
total rec
The sports team from my geographical area is superior to the sports team from your geographical area and will emerge victorious due to its very superiority.
by Superduperboltman on Nov 8, 2010 2:10 PM PST reply actions
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