This past week's contest with Tampa Bay has been described as the Chargers' first complete game of the season. I would only quibble with the description of it as the first. This Sunday's 17-point victory over the Buccaneers was most definitely a complete game.
Neither side of the ball was dominant for four quarters, but they were both in control. Even when the Bucs took their first lead of the day, I don't think anyone could seriously have thought they were going to win.
For one of the very few times this year, the offense was successful both running and passing the ball. The success rates don't really capture how good the offense was because it doesn't give any extra credit for big plays and the offense was full of big plays on Sunday.
Gates obviously had a big day, but I think one guy people are overlooking is Naanee. He only got two looks, but both were first down catches on third down. LT had his first successful day running the ball in I can't remember how long. Jackson continues to get a ton of looks and is still cashing in on them.
On the defensive side of the ball, the defense was dominant in the first half and the fourth quarter but was dominated in the third quarter. It didn't come back to bite them and their total numbers were solid, but you can't like seeing the other team come out looking that strong against them to open the second half. The adjustments made in the fourth quarter are rather promising, though.
Cooper again tied for the team lead in Stops, this time with Jamal, while also intercepting his fourth pass in three games. I think perhaps we missed him in the first four games of the season. Castillo, Phillips, and Weddle all had three stops. The defensive line combined for nine on the day (Olshansky and Cesaire had one each).
The entire team really does seem to be peaking right at the end of the year. I'm excited. Hopefully, they don't come out ant lay an egg on Sunday night. I don't see it happening, but as a San Diego sports fan I can't discount the possibility that it will.
Chargers Offensive Success Rates:
| Overall | 52.7% | 29/55 |
| Pass | 53.1% | 17/32 |
| Run | 52.2% | 12/23 |
| 1st Down | 53.8% | 14/26 |
| 2nd Down | 47.1% | 8/17 |
| 3rd Down | 58.3% | 7/12 |
| 1stPass | 64.3% | 9/14 |
| 1stRun | 41.7% | 5/12 |
| 2ndPass | 28.6% | 2/7 |
| 2ndRun | 60.0% | 6/10 |
| 3rdPass | 54.5% | 6/11 |
| 3rdRun | 100.0% | 1/1 |
| 1st Quarter | 68.8% | 11/16 |
| 2nd Quarter | 38.9% | 7/18 |
| 3rd Quarter | 53.8% | 7/13 |
| 4th Quarter | 50.0% | 4/8 |
| 1stPass | 66.7% | 6/9 |
| 1stRun | 71.4% | 5/7 |
| 2ndPass | 54.5% | 6/11 |
| 2ndRun | 14.3% | 1/7 |
| 3rdPass | 37.5% | 3/8 |
| 3rdRun | 80.0% | 4/5 |
| 4thPass | 50.0% | 2/4 |
| 4thRun | 50.0% | 2/4 |
| Chambers (Rec) | 66.7% | 2/3 |
| Gates (Rec) | 80.0% | 4/5 |
| Jackson (Rec) | 66.7% | 6/9 |
| Manumaleuna (Rec) | 50.0% | 1/2 |
| Naanee (Rec) | 100.0% | 2/2 |
| Sproles (Rec) | 33.3% | 1/3 |
| Tomlinson (Rec) | 25.0% | 1/4 |
| Sproles (Run) | 0.0% | 0/2 |
| Tomlinson (Run) | 57.1% | 12/21 |
Chargers Defensive Stop Rates:
| Overall | 56.3% | 36/64 |
| Pass | 56.8% | 21/37 |
| Run | 55.6% | 15/27 |
| 1st Down | 63.0% | 17/27 |
| 2nd Down | 47.6% | 10/21 |
| 3rd Down | 57.1% | 8/14 |
| 4th Down | 50.0% | 1/2 |
| 1stPass | 36.4% | 4/11 |
| 1stRun | 81.3% | 13/16 |
| 2ndPass | 56.3% | 9/16 |
| 2ndRun | 20.0% | 1/5 |
| 3rdPass | 87.5% | 7/8 |
| 3rdRun | 16.7% | 1/6 |
| 4th Pass | 50.0% | 1/2 |
| 1st Quarter | 54.5% | 6/11 |
| 2nd Quarter | 64.3% | 9/14 |
| 3rd Quarter | 31.3% | 5/16 |
| 4th Quarter | 69.6% | 16/23 |
| 1stPass | 75.0% | 3/4 |
| 1stRun | 42.9% | 3/7 |
| 2ndPass | 63.6% | 7/11 |
| 2ndRun | 66.7% | 2/3 |
| 3rdPass | 14.3% | 1/7 |
| 3rdRun | 44.4% | 4/9 |
| 4thPass | 66.7% | 10/15 |
| 4thRun | 75.0% | 6/8 |
| Askew (Rec) | 0.0% | 0/1 |
| Bryant (Rec) | 50.0% | 5/10 |
| Clayton (Rec) | 50.0% | 2/4 |
| Dunn (Rec) | 50.0% | 3/6 |
| Galloway (Rec) | 100.0% | 1/1 |
| Hilliard (Rec) | 57.1% | 4/7 |
| Smith (Rec) | 0.0% | 0/1 |
| Stevens (Rec) | 75.0% | 3/4 |
| Askew (Run) | 0.0% | 0/1 |
| Dunn (Run) | 88.9% | 8/9 |
| Garcia (Run) | 0.0% | 0/6 |
| McCown (Run) | 100.0% | 2/2 |
| Smith (Run) | 0.0% | 0/1 |
| Williams (Run) | 62.5% | 5/8 |