Charger Fan Perspective on the game

[RBI90]

As a Charger fan for over 30 years, I wanted to give an opposing view on this game and why it worries me.

I know all about the ranking and where SD's offense is ranked versus Buffalo's defense. I understand the "weak" schedule argument of the Chargers. Obvioulsy none of that matters on gameday as any team can win on any given Sunday.

Here's what worries me about the game.

• It's now week 13 of the NFL. Teams are starting to plan more effectively against the Chargers.
• Bills are playing inspired football these past 2 weeks. SD has a tendency to give up too many "big" plays.
• The weather can limit the offensive production of the Chargers.
• Marty. Although Cam is calling the plays, Marty is still the head coach and has the right to make changes at any time.
• History. Other than the 94 season, the Chargers have yet to truly learn how to close out a season.

Now, here's what I see as positives for the Chargers.

• Having a healthy team and Merriman back forms what is arguably the best front 7 in football. Applying pressure on JP to disrupt the offensive flow of the Bills.
• LT, even when teams "slow" him down, he still kills you and chews up clock time.
• Gates. If you stuff the box, you're forced to play man-to-man at the corners. That tends to leave a LB covering Gates which is a mismatch in the Chargers favor.
• The Chargers may not have a superstar wideout, but have 4 servicable WR's in McCardell, Parker, Jackson & Floyd. When teams focus on shutting down LT or Gates, one of these guys are good for the mid range 8-12 yard catch. If nothing else, Jackson & Floyd are tall enough for the jump ball thrown to the corners of the end zone.

All that being said, my honest opinion is that the Bills score enough to keep it close, but not enough to win the game. I actually think a tough hard fought close game will help more to strenghten the Chargers than a lopsided blowout.

And as always, here's to a good game with NO injuries!

[Bufftp]

Re: Charger Fan Perspective on the game

Great post RBI90, some good obsverations.

[justasportsfan]

Re: Charger Fan Perspective on the game

As a Charger fan for over 30 years, I wanted to give an opposing view on this game and why it worries me.

I know all about the ranking and where SD's offense is ranked versus Buffalo's defense. I understand the "weak" schedule argument of the Chargers. Obvioulsy none of that matters on gameday as any team can win on any given Sunday.

Here's what worries me about the game.

• It's now week 13 of the NFL. Teams are starting to plan more effectively against the Chargers.
• Bills are playing inspired football these past 2 weeks. SD has a tendency to give up too many "big" plays.
• The weather can limit the offensive production of the Chargers.
• Marty. Although Cam is calling the plays, Marty is still the head coach and has the right to make changes at any time.
• History. Other than the 94 season, the Chargers have yet to truly learn how to close out a season.

Now, here's what I see as positives for the Chargers.

• Having a healthy team and Merriman back forms what is arguably the best front 7 in football. Applying pressure on JP to disrupt the offensive flow of the Bills.
• LT, even when teams "slow" him down, he still kills you and chews up clock time.
• Gates. If you stuff the box, you're forced to play man-to-man at the corners. That tends to leave a LB covering Gates which is a mismatch in the Chargers favor.
• The Chargers may not have a superstar wideout, but have 4 servicable WR's in McCardell, Parker, Jackson & Floyd. When teams focus on shutting down LT or Gates, one of these guys are good for the mid range 8-12 yard catch. If nothing else, Jackson & Floyd are tall enough for the jump ball thrown to the corners of the end zone.

All that being said, my honest opinion is that the Bills score enough to keep it close, but not enough to win the game. I actually think a tough hard fought close game will help more to strenghten the Chargers than a lopsided blowout.

And as always, here's to a good game with NO injuries!

If the Willis from last Sunday or the one against the jets shows up, we have a chance.

[mysticsoto]

Re: Charger Fan Perspective on the game

If the Willis from last Sunday or the one against the jets shows up, we have a chance.

I think the key to this game is the Oline. If JP is harassed all day, we lose. If he gets time to set up some passes (since we are not likely to be able to run all over them) we may squeek out a win. LT is going to get 200 yds easily. But runs take time and if we can keep up with them with some bombs from JP to Evans, we might be able to stay in the game.

Also, I noticed that lately the Bills secondary has been concentrating on ripping balls out and generating turnovers. We may need a few of those to keep the ball out of LT's hands and possibly have a chance to win the game...

The Bills have been playing better as of late, but this is a BIG test...

[jamze132]

Re: Charger Fan Perspective on the game

It will be a good game. I think if Buffalo can force Rivers to rush some throws, we might be able to get some turnovers.

I am also hoping that the SD offense takes us for granted and just goes through the motions during practice!

[BillsNick]

Re: Charger Fan Perspective on the game

I think the key for us will come down to Jauron's Gameplan. If Jauron can structure an effective plan to exploit the Chargers weakness, and accentuate the Bills Strengths, we can win this game. We have already proved that we can play with anybody in this league.

[Patti120]

Re: Charger Fan Perspective on the game

Great post! For Buffalo, our ability to stay in the game or even win the game hinges obviously on the o-line and the run D as previously stated. This will be a big test for our o-line, d-line and linebackers. LT is so damn good though which worries me and the return of Merriman (even if he's kicked "the juice") does make their front 7 on D quite dominant.

Anyway, here's hoping for a good game and no injuries! Go Bills!

[justasportsfan]

Re: Charger Fan Perspective on the game

I think the key to this game is the Oline. If JP is harassed all day, we lose. If he gets time to set up some passes (since we are not likely to be able to run all over them) we may squeek out a win. LT is going to get 200 yds easily. But runs take time and if we can keep up with them with some bombs from JP to Evans, we might be able to stay in the game.

Also, I noticed that lately the Bills secondary has been concentrating on ripping balls out and generating turnovers. We may need a few of those to keep the ball out of LT's hands and possibly have a chance to win the game...

The Bills have been playing better as of late, but this is a BIG test...

run the ball and JP doesn't get harrassed. I'd rather we run the ball til' all of our 3 rb's puke because passing will give their O more time on the field and it gives them more chances to beat up on our run D.It'll also keeps the game close and our D fresh for crunch time.

The SD running game is not just a ball control type of O, it's potent and can easily score tons of TD's.

[mchurchfie]

Re: Charger Fan Perspective on the game

I think that JP and Willis are going to have to have a really big day to keep this one close. Are defense has been getting chewed up all year by lower rated running attacks we now are facing arguably the best running attack and rb iin the league. We are also facing probably one of the best tightends in the league. Our defense has been very weak against both. A good tightend can tear up a cover two defense.

[TacklingDummy]

Re: Charger Fan Perspective on the game

If the Willis from last Sunday or the one against the jets shows up, we have a chance.

If the JP that showed up against Houston in the 1st half shows up, we have a chance.

[justasportsfan]

Re: Charger Fan Perspective on the game

If the JP that showed up against Houston in the 1st half shows up, we have a chance.

I'd rather the Willis from Jets shows up to keep the game close and then the JP of the last drive from the last 2 games shows up to steal another win

[THATHURMANATOR]

Re: Charger Fan Perspective on the game

As a Charger fan for over 30 years, I wanted to give an opposing view on this game and why it worries me.

I know all about the ranking and where SD's offense is ranked versus Buffalo's defense. I understand the "weak" schedule argument of the Chargers. Obvioulsy none of that matters on gameday as any team can win on any given Sunday.

Here's what worries me about the game.

• It's now week 13 of the NFL. Teams are starting to plan more effectively against the Chargers.
• Bills are playing inspired football these past 2 weeks. SD has a tendency to give up too many "big" plays.
• The weather can limit the offensive production of the Chargers.
• Marty. Although Cam is calling the plays, Marty is still the head coach and has the right to make changes at any time.
• History. Other than the 94 season, the Chargers have yet to truly learn how to close out a season.

Now, here's what I see as positives for the Chargers.

• Having a healthy team and Merriman back forms what is arguably the best front 7 in football. Applying pressure on JP to disrupt the offensive flow of the Bills.
• LT, even when teams "slow" him down, he still kills you and chews up clock time.
• Gates. If you stuff the box, you're forced to play man-to-man at the corners. That tends to leave a LB covering Gates which is a mismatch in the Chargers favor.
• The Chargers may not have a superstar wideout, but have 4 servicable WR's in McCardell, Parker, Jackson & Floyd. When teams focus on shutting down LT or Gates, one of these guys are good for the mid range 8-12 yard catch. If nothing else, Jackson & Floyd are tall enough for the jump ball thrown to the corners of the end zone.

All that being said, my honest opinion is that the Bills score enough to keep it close, but not enough to win the game. I actually think a tough hard fought close game will help more to strenghten the Chargers than a lopsided blowout.

And as always, here's to a good game with NO injuries!

Great analysis. Good luck to both teams!

[Mitchy moo]

Re: Charger Fan Perspective on the game

As a Charger fan for over 30 years, I wanted to give an opposing view on this game and why it worries me.

I know all about the ranking and where SD's offense is ranked versus Buffalo's defense. I understand the "weak" schedule argument of the Chargers. Obvioulsy none of that matters on gameday as any team can win on any given Sunday.

Here's what worries me about the game.

• It's now week 13 of the NFL. Teams are starting to plan more effectively against the Chargers.
• Bills are playing inspired football these past 2 weeks. SD has a tendency to give up too many "big" plays.
• The weather can limit the offensive production of the Chargers.
• Marty. Although Cam is calling the plays, Marty is still the head coach and has the right to make changes at any time.
• History. Other than the 94 season, the Chargers have yet to truly learn how to close out a season.

Now, here's what I see as positives for the Chargers.

• Having a healthy team and Merriman back forms what is arguably the best front 7 in football. Applying pressure on JP to disrupt the offensive flow of the Bills.
• LT, even when teams "slow" him down, he still kills you and chews up clock time.
• Gates. If you stuff the box, you're forced to play man-to-man at the corners. That tends to leave a LB covering Gates which is a mismatch in the Chargers favor.
• The Chargers may not have a superstar wideout, but have 4 servicable WR's in McCardell, Parker, Jackson & Floyd. When teams focus on shutting down LT or Gates, one of these guys are good for the mid range 8-12 yard catch. If nothing else, Jackson & Floyd are tall enough for the jump ball thrown to the corners of the end zone.

All that being said, my honest opinion is that the Bills score enough to keep it close, but not enough to win the game. I actually think a tough hard fought close game will help more to strenghten the Chargers than a lopsided blowout.

And as always, here's to a good game with NO injuries!

It's the NFL, good teams that are going to make any noise need to do it near the end of the season and gain momentum. The Bills have played some tough games and taken some tough losses. The real determining factor will be the game planning of our coaching staff and execution by our players. If we load the Box at the right time and force River's to move, he effectively will become neutralized. JP is used to moving and running so throws on the fly and stepping up are becoming second nature to him.

I personally think that the Bills will win outright because we have more than a few players that are ready to become free agents and with winning comes bigger pay days for them. They are on the phone with their agents getting the advice that they need to showcase themselves for their new team and step up right now. The Jets game was moved & I feel if we win a few in a row we get even better time slots and attention. This flexible schedule not only benefits ratings, it also benefits players playing well. It's time for our big boys to step it up, they will.

[HHURRICANE]

Re: Charger Fan Perspective on the game

I think there is one key here that everyone is overlooking. This Bills have one of the wrost run D's in the league. Maybe the worst. This has been to our advantage as of late. Let LT run all day as it still takes time off of the clock. The lower the score the better. If Rivers comes out throwing we are dead!!! Quick scores will put this game away early. JP and the offense is not going to win an offensive battle through the air. If McGahee can run and keep the clock moving and San Diego keeps the ball on the ground as well than we can win this game.

[RedEyE]

Re: Charger Fan Perspective on the game

The Bills have struggled against the run this year and slowing down LT doesn't seem likely. Also, typically, the Bills blow large donkey nuts when trying to defend big receiveing TEs. Gates might just have a field day.