5 Bad Stats: Buffalo Bills at San Diego Chargers

by John Gennaro on Dec 12, 2011 9:30 AM PST

Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers fumbles the ball while trying to throw the ball from the pocket. The fumble resulted in the touchdown for the Bills. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Stevie Johnson - 4 catches, 116 rec yards
I caught bits and pieces of this game on my iPhone (don't ask), and listened to a lot of Josh Lewin and Hank Bauer on 1360AM, and it seemed like Quentin Jammer was getting burned by Stevie Johnson once per quarter. Also, with Stevie getting a reputation for being a top-notch WR with fairly average size and a penchant for mental mistakes (like dancing so long after a TD that he gets a penalty that costs his team the game), can I finally label him the next Chad Johnson? Maybe that should be the next Stevie Unotres.

Nick Novak - 1/1 FGs, 4/5 XPs
This is both a reach and a misrepresentation. I don't believe the blocked FG was Novak's fault, but have no idea whose fault it was. Still, it was one of the few missteps in the game for San Diego and one that had Hank Bauer worried about a humiliating Chargers 1-point loss for half of the game (which was humorous).

1 Sack (Antwan Barnes)
You want to know why the Chargers struggle to beat good teams? It's the total lack of a pass-rush. The Bills' offensive line is nothing special, and yet the only player able to get to Fitzpatrick in the backfield was Barnes (who apparently made a rookie OT look really bad with an inside swim move). It looks like the Bills' QB ran a bunch (5 times), so maybe there was pressure and just missed tackles. I'll update this after I watch the game if it needs to be updated.

Turnover, Defensive Points for the Bills
For those that couldn't follow the game, the Chargers came out after halftime desperate to let the Bills back into it. With a 16-0 lead at the half, the Chargers let the Bills drive down the field easily for a FG. Then, from their own 16, Philip Rivers simply had the ball slip out of his hands when trying to throw a screen pass and it was picked up by Buffalo and run in for a touchdown.

Donald Butler - 2 assisted tackles
Where the heck was Donald Butler all game? After being in a boot for most of the week, I feel like the "rookie" might not have been good to play but forced his way on the field. Prior to yesterday's game, he had only had 1 game with less 4 tackles. Yes, it's another reach.

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Butler was not tested.

Buffalo ran away from him at all costs.

Dielman on Rivers: "I've tried to get him to say s--- or f--- and all he'll ever do is say, 'Golly gee, I can't do that."
Bolts from the Blue
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by Superduperboltman on Dec 12, 2011 9:45 AM PST reply actions

This^

At first I really thought he was either not playing, or just not playing well, then it appeared that they were running their offense away from him.

by UTBoltFan on Dec 12, 2011 10:26 AM PST up reply actions

This This /\

Teams Game Planning aroung Butler? That’s a good sign for the future. Means he’s playaing well and being noticed.

by Fouts of Rage! on Dec 12, 2011 12:51 PM PST up reply actions

It's only a good sign for the future

If someone other than Bront Bird is playing on the other side.

You see this all the time with good corners, and there is nothing wrong with being so good the opponents scheme away from you. But if running away from Donald Butler means running at Bront Bird, you run away from Donald Butler every time.

After watching the Jax game, Bird should be the number one target on this defense for any opposing offense.

by Alex Bourque on Dec 12, 2011 1:25 PM PST up reply actions

It won't be Bront Bird

James Mouton will be next to him.

by Fouts of Rage! on Dec 12, 2011 2:53 PM PST up reply actions

*Jonas

"Were such things here as we do speak about?
Or have we eaten on the insane root
That takes the reason prisoner?"

by aesimpleton on Dec 12, 2011 5:46 PM PST up reply actions

Mouton plays football now?

Follow @RichardWade

Bolts from the Blue // "At least when Wade is spewing vitriol he does so with an intellectual flair." - insanebolt21
Bloody Elbow // "I think we're poking fun at Leland's 'boner.'" - Michael Fagan

by Richard Wade on Dec 12, 2011 8:06 PM PST up reply actions

The missed PAT

proves we have turned a corner. For the last 2 months, this would have cost us the game. Somehow. Not contriving a tie or 1 point loss means we are back, Baby!. Well, you know, kinda.

by The Land Of Real Beer on Dec 12, 2011 9:48 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

totally agree on butler

i was at the game and i kept telling my brother “is butler even playing?” i literally wasnt sure if he was even active

by cameronm on Dec 12, 2011 10:00 AM PST reply actions

Rivers' fumble

It seems like he’s more prone to that particular type of fumble than most QBs in the league, for some reason. Is it his shotput throwing motion? I’ve seen him do that a few times before.

"The biggest thing..." - Norv Turner

by Cake or Death on Dec 12, 2011 10:02 AM PST reply actions

He doesn't grip the ball the same way

It all goes back to why he throws that way in the first place. He wanted to throw the ball before his hands were big enough to grip the ball, so I guess it probably sits on top of his hand rather than being secured in his hand. That would be why he’s more prone to it.

Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.

by John Gennaro on Dec 12, 2011 11:38 AM PST up reply actions

by John Gennaro on Dec 12, 2011 3:19 PM PST up reply actions

Bad: Another injury

I was watching in a bar and couldn’t tell. Was it Cam Thomas getting carted off?

by BFDC on Dec 12, 2011 11:09 AM PST reply actions

ceasar

by cameronm on Dec 12, 2011 11:20 AM PST up reply actions

Oh thanks, I thought it was one of the two but couldn’t tell.

by BFDC on Dec 12, 2011 11:22 AM PST up reply actions

Jacques Cesaire

Dielman on Rivers: "I've tried to get him to say s--- or f--- and all he'll ever do is say, 'Golly gee, I can't do that."
Bolts from the Blue
Join my 4,554 other followers on twitter. @poyzinous

by Superduperboltman on Dec 12, 2011 1:36 PM PST up reply actions