Chargers Game Ball of the Week: Curtis Brinkley

In the comments of the San Diego Chargers offensive game preview yesterday, someone said that they expected Curtis Brinkley to get about 8 carries and Jacob Hester to get 3. I told him that I expected the opposite of that, especially after Hester's showing against the Broncos earlier this year. 

As much as Curtis Brinkley has been around, signed by the Chargers as an undrafted free agent rookie before the 2009 season, I had the feeling that Norv Turner and Co. wouldn't trust Curtis to carry, catch and block in an important game in primetime.

Apparently, they knew better than I, and when Ryan Mathews left the game with an injury Brinkley stepped in without missing a single beat. He finished the game with 14 touches for 79 total yards, including a kick return, and the Chargers' only touchdown and 2-point conversion on the night.

Unfortunately, the big game from Curtis was not enough to propel the Bolts to victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football.