Chargers at Buffalo Bills - Pick Em (Pre Game week discussion thread)

[blueman]

If the D keeps them under 18 points, the O needs to win it.

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

Chargers' confidence high after big win
By Nick Canepa 04:21p.m. Sep 15, 2014


It was a triumph of execution.

And whenever that word pops up involving a football game, it’s remindful of what John McKay, the Mark Twain of coaches, said when asked after another miserable Sunday for his Tampa Bay Bucs: “What did you think of your team’s execution?”

“I’m in favor of it.”

But, as John knew from his winning days at USC, it can travel both ways. You either can be executed, or be the executioner. Sunday afternoon, the Chargers were the latter, Seattle the former.

Despite all of its modern complexities, football remains a game of four things: Blocking, tackling, real estate and execution.

Without checking off these four elements, rare is the day when a team wins an NFL game -- unless the opponent does the same, which happens more often than it should.

The Chargers completed their checklist Sunday afternoon, following through on a superb game plan and jabbing the bruiser to score enough points to win a unanimous decision. It was a form of football rope-a-dope, forcing the Seahawks to punch themselves out in the withering heat.

Without question, proficiency was the difference between the Chargers vs. Arizona in the opener and the Chargers vs. Seattle in Week 2. They were better than the Cardinals and should have won the game, but they didn’t deserve to because they couldn’t execute; they couldn’t make big plays when they had to, on either side of the ball.

Just having better players and a deeper roster isn’t enough. The Chargers had the best rosters of the past decade and didn’t win squat. Sunday they did many things they didn’t in the desert, like blocking and tackling and holding onto the ball for huge periods of time -- and, well, executing, making plays.

Chargers coach Mike McCoy spoke the day after his huntsmen shot down the mighty Seahawks, and he talked about striving for perfection but never -- that’s never -- achieving it.

His team played so well in its 30-21 boat racing of the birds, did so many things right -- as they had to -- it was easy to forget mistakes were made, errors that must be corrected as it heads for Buffalo and the 2-0 Bills, winners at Chicago and at home to Miami. The defense played well, but it also allowed the visitors two easy touchdowns.

“Give the coaches credit for the plan they put in and to the players going out and executing it,” said McCoy, using that word again, and not forgetting to add that “we had two breakdowns for touchdowns.”

Achieving what they wanted offensively -- 10-of-17 on third downs, no turnovers (despite three fumbles, one leading to the knee injury of tailback Ryan Mathews, the fumbler) -- they kept the ball away from Seattle’s highly efficient offense for 42:15. Extraordinary.

“The shortest drive we had was six plays,” said McCoy, whose team’s first punt didn’t come until 11:32 remained in the third quarter after scoring on its first five possessions against The League’s stoutest defense. “We opened the game with a 14-play drive. That’s the way we had to play this football team -- pound the football, be efficient and score points.”

It was an outstanding performance and a terrific game, one of the best played here in quite some time. But players and coaches will say you can’t dwell on it. The Chargers have lost their bellwether running back in Mathews, who gained 1,255 yards last year, probably for at least a month with a sprained knee ligament he probably wouldn’t have if he hadn’t muffed a perfect handoff.

“Next man up” is what coaches say. I often have my doubts Mathews can be completely trusted, but Donald Brown, Danny Woodhead and rookie Branden Oliver will have to “step up.”

The offensive line played well enough to win, allowing just one sack, but Philip Rivers got some heat, and the right side of that line wasn’t brilliant Sunday. Center Nick Hardwick is out for the year. Rich Ohrnberger has experience and replaces Nick, but the Chargers are finding themselves having to supplant Pro Bowlers, and the only way to truly replace one is with another.

Still, the Chargers will need a hefty excuse to get trampled by the Buffalos. If they execute, the Bills will be 2-1

[bonehead]

We are the better team, but I am concerned. We are coming off of a big emotional win against the SB champs and are traveling to the East coast to play an early game. Everything points to this being a mental letdown game. Still, if we are not flat, I think we have a good chance to win.

I agree, this Looks like a 31-10 walkover but it's so hard to regroup after such a huge emotional win and travel to theEast Coast......then again what are the odds of Buffalo starting 3-0?

[bonehead]

Chargers' confidence high after big win
By Nick Canepa 04:21p.m. Sep 15, 2014


It was a triumph of execution.

And whenever that word pops up involving a football game, it’s remindful of what John McKay, the Mark Twain of coaches, said when asked after another miserable Sunday for his Tampa Bay Bucs: “What did you think of your team’s execution?”

“I’m in favor of it.”

But, as John knew from his winning days at USC, it can travel both ways. You either can be executed, or be the executioner. Sunday afternoon, the Chargers were the latter, Seattle the former.

Despite all of its modern complexities, football remains a game of four things: Blocking, tackling, real estate and execution.

Without checking off these four elements, rare is the day when a team wins an NFL game -- unless the opponent does the same, which happens more often than it should.

The Chargers completed their checklist Sunday afternoon, following through on a superb game plan and jabbing the bruiser to score enough points to win a unanimous decision. It was a form of football rope-a-dope, forcing the Seahawks to punch themselves out in the withering heat.

Without question, proficiency was the difference between the Chargers vs. Arizona in the opener and the Chargers vs. Seattle in Week 2. They were better than the Cardinals and should have won the game, but they didn’t deserve to because they couldn’t execute; they couldn’t make big plays when they had to, on either side of the ball.

Just having better players and a deeper roster isn’t enough. The Chargers had the best rosters of the past decade and didn’t win squat. Sunday they did many things they didn’t in the desert, like blocking and tackling and holding onto the ball for huge periods of time -- and, well, executing, making plays.

Chargers coach Mike McCoy spoke the day after his huntsmen shot down the mighty Seahawks, and he talked about striving for perfection but never -- that’s never -- achieving it.

His team played so well in its 30-21 boat racing of the birds, did so many things right -- as they had to -- it was easy to forget mistakes were made, errors that must be corrected as it heads for Buffalo and the 2-0 Bills, winners at Chicago and at home to Miami. The defense played well, but it also allowed the visitors two easy touchdowns.

“Give the coaches credit for the plan they put in and to the players going out and executing it,” said McCoy, using that word again, and not forgetting to add that “we had two breakdowns for touchdowns.”

Achieving what they wanted offensively -- 10-of-17 on third downs, no turnovers (despite three fumbles, one leading to the knee injury of tailback Ryan Mathews, the fumbler) -- they kept the ball away from Seattle’s highly efficient offense for 42:15. Extraordinary.

“The shortest drive we had was six plays,” said McCoy, whose team’s first punt didn’t come until 11:32 remained in the third quarter after scoring on its first five possessions against The League’s stoutest defense. “We opened the game with a 14-play drive. That’s the way we had to play this football team -- pound the football, be efficient and score points.”

It was an outstanding performance and a terrific game, one of the best played here in quite some time. But players and coaches will say you can’t dwell on it. The Chargers have lost their bellwether running back in Mathews, who gained 1,255 yards last year, probably for at least a month with a sprained knee ligament he probably wouldn’t have if he hadn’t muffed a perfect handoff.

“Next man up” is what coaches say. I often have my doubts Mathews can be completely trusted, but Donald Brown, Danny Woodhead and rookie Branden Oliver will have to “step up.”

The offensive line played well enough to win, allowing just one sack, but Philip Rivers got some heat, and the right side of that line wasn’t brilliant Sunday. Center Nick Hardwick is out for the year. Rich Ohrnberger has experience and replaces Nick, but the Chargers are finding themselves having to supplant Pro Bowlers, and the only way to truly replace one is with another.

Still, the Chargers will need a hefty excuse to get trampled by the Buffalos. If they execute, the Bills will be 2-1

Another steaming pile of crap from Canepa....is he saying Mathews and Hardwick are Pro Bowlers?

[thelightningwill]

Another steaming pile of crap from Canepa....is he saying Mathews and Hardwick are Pro Bowlers?

Canepa is a lazy journalist, but he's a talented writer. It's been hard for me to hate on him.

[richpjr]

Canepa is a lazy journalist, but he's a talented writer. It's been hard for me to hate on him.

Now that is definitely a subjective thing because I find Canepa boring and his anecdotes and phrasing are something clearly coming from a fading old timer who has lost touch with the modern world.

BTW, the line is now Buffalo as a 2 point favorite.

[thelightningwill]

Now that is definitely a subjective thing because I find Canepa boring and his anecdotes and phrasing are something clearly coming from a fading old timer who has lost touch with the modern world.

BTW, the line is now Buffalo as a 2 point favorite.

I've lost touch with the modern world too. And I like old-school anecdotes. So, yea, subjective.
I used to think Acee was a good writer/shitty journalist too, but he turned into an I-columnist, which is not his forte.

[richpjr]

I've lost touch with the modern world too. And I like old-school anecdotes. So, yea, subjective.
I used to think Acee was a good writer/shitty journalist too, but he turned into an I-columnist, which is not his forte.

Completely agree on Acee. He was actually decent as the Charger beat writer and clearly had connections with Norv and AJ. But man, when he because a columnist he turned into a whiny little bitch that I can't stand.

[Panamamike]

The Chargers are following the form they started last year. Big wins against the best teams, struggle some against the weaker teams.

Manuel is still not going to be the kind of guy to beat us, but with Spiller and Jackson running the ball, and our D not doing a good job of tackling or attacking the line, we may well allow them to stay in the game. Plus, their front 7 is pretty good on D.

We have yet to play a weak team.

[oneinchpunch]

We have yet to play a weak team.

Arizona

[Panamamike]

Arizona

Az is a good team, especially at home. Pls elaborate on how you see them as a weak team.

[Panama]

Another steaming pile of crap from Canepa....is he saying Mathews and Hardwick are Pro Bowlers?

Well, they have both been to the Pro Bowl, so technically he would be correct.