Chargers defense’s stout effort all for naught in loss to Chiefs

The Chargers defense forced Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to one of the worst performances of his career.

The Chargers knew that they would have their hands full facing a Chiefs team, who has one of the best offenses in the league.

Even without safeties Derwin James and Adrian Phillips, who were both key components to the success when the two teams met last season, the defense did what most teams haven’t been able to do.

The unit held quarterback Patrick Mahomes to 182 passing yards, which was his lowest in a full game so far in his career. Mahomes had a 72.7 passer rating, which was his second-lowest mark.

Mahomes was nearly a non-factor in the first half of the game, as he was held to less than 100 total yards.

Kansas City lost wide receiver Tyreek Hill early on to a hamstring injury, and he finished with no catches and zero yards. Running backs Damien Williams and LeSean McCoy were also banged up throughout the course of the game.

But they still limited the other handful of playmakers the Chiefs possess.

It all started up front with defensive ends Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. The two both did an excellent job against a stout offensive line by generating pressure, making Mahomes feel uncomfortable.

Ingram came in clutch in the fourth-quarter by stopping the Chiefs on three consecutive third-down plays, which all resulted in punts.

Defensive tackles Damion Square and Justin Jones, who returned from an injury, were solid against the run, recording a handful of stops at or behind the line of scrimmage.

The line’s efforts benefited the rest of the members on the defensive side of the ball as Mahomes, who was under constant duress, didn’t have much time to push the ball downfield and was forced to throw nearly everything underneath.

When Mahomes did try to go deep on one play, he was picked off by free safety Rayshawn Jenkins, who jumped in front of a ball on a pass intended to wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and came up with an interception.

Outside of a few crucial missed tackles and blow coverages, including tight end Travis Kelce’s touchdown in the third-quarter, the linebackers and cornerbacks stayed true to their assignments and kept everything in front of them.

Thomas Davis has really come into his own as a run stopper, leading the way with the team-high 12 tackles and Casey Hayward continues to show he’s one of the best corners in the league by not giving up a single reception.

The defense did what they needed to, but unfortunately, quarterback Philip Rivers and company were unable to pick them up in a must-win game on Monday night.

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Takeaways from first half of Chargers vs. Chiefs

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez gives his thoughts from the first half of the matchup between the Chargers and the Chiefs.

The Chargers trail the Chiefs 10-9 in a low scoring affair at the halfway mark.

Here are our takeaways from the first half:

The Chargers defense has been playing lights out against a Chiefs offense that ranks near the top of the league. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has yet to surpass 100 passing yards and the rushing attack has been held to less than 50 yards on the ground.
Linebacker Thomas Davis has been dominant against the run, but he’s made a couple key plays in coverage.
Cornerbacks Casey Hayward and Michael Davis are having great games, keeping the Chiefs wideouts in check. Safety Rayshawn Jenkins, who came up with the big-time interception in the first quarter, has done a nice job keeping everything in front of them.
The Chargers offense is in full control, but the two turnovers have killed them and that’s why the Chiefs have the lead.
Running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler have been awfully productive tonight. The two have combined for 199 yards from the line of scrimmage. They’re having success carrying the football and have been deadly in the short passing game.
Quarterback Philip Rivers’ first interception wasn’t his fault, but the second one was. It was a bad read from Rivers, attempting to go wide receiver Keenan Allen and safety Tyrann Mathieu made the perfect play on the ball.
Aside from the one sack given up, the offensive line has given Rivers a lot of time to distribute the football.

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9 Chargers players to watch vs. Chiefs in Week 11

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out the nine most important players to watch against the Chiefs in Week 11.

The Los Angeles Chargers (4-6) travel to Mexico City to face the Kansas City Chiefs (6-4) in a crucial Week 11 matchup.

Here are nine Chargers players to hone in on:

QB Philip Rivers

After his worst performance of the 2019 season, Rivers will look to have a bounce back game. But it won’t be an easy task facing one of the best passing defenses in the league.

RB Melvin Gordon

Gordon has been on a tear the past two games, and he will look to continue that dominance going up against one of the league’s worst run defenses.

WR Keenan Allen

Allen has been slowed as of late, failing to surpass 70 receiving yards the past seven contests. He wasn’t impressed by the Chiefs’ secondary this past offseason and now he will have to opportunity to get his words up, six months later.

OT Trent Scott

One of the reasons for Rivers’ struggles last week was the poor protection. Scott, who will start at right tackle again in place of Sam Tevi, will need to slow a Chiefs pass rush that ranks first in the NFL in sacks (52).

DE Joey Bosa & Melvin Ingram

If the Bolts want to slow quarterback Patrick Mahomes, they need to contain him and make him feel uncomfortable. That all starts up front with the pressure. Bosa and Ingram have combined for 13.5 sacks this season.

CB Casey Hayward

Hayward is set to be lined up across arguably the league’s fastest wideouts in Tyreek Hill.

FS Rayshawn Jenkins

With how fast the Chiefs position players are, Jenkins will be needed more than ever to assist from the single high role, whether that be as an open field tackler or eliminating passing plays over the top to avoid explosive plays.

S Jaylen Watkins

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is the best at his position, and will need to be eliminated. Last season, they limited him because Derwin James did a nice job against him, but he will not be playing.

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3 key matchups to watch in Chargers vs. Chiefs

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lists three key position matchups to watch when the Chargers take on the Chiefs in Week 11.

The Chargers and Chiefs are set to be featured in primetime on Monday Night Football.

Here are three key matchups to watch that could ultimately determine the outcome of the game:

CB Casey Hayward vs. WR Tyreek Hill

Hayward continues to shutdown the league’s most prolific wideouts on a weekly basis, but now, he will be tasked with limiting not only one of the best, but the fastest that he’s faced this season.

Since missing the first four games of the season due to suspension, Hill has come back and has been a headache for opposing secondaries. He has scored five touchdowns in the last four games. Over his last two performances, Hill is averaging 148.5 receiving per game.

Hayward will have to keep Hill in front of him and eliminate the dink and dunk plays turning into big plays. Safety Rayshawn Jenkins will have a bigger role as he needs to come up and make plays from the single high role, whether that be as an open-field tackler or breaking up deep passes.

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2020 Pro Bowl voting now open

It’s time to cast your vote to send your favorite Charger to the 2020 Pro Bowl.

Voting for the 2020 NFL Pro Bowl is officially open.

Fans can vote on NFL.com/ProBowlVote from Tuesday, Nov. 12 until Sunday Dec. 12. The rosters for the AFC and NFC will be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 17 on NFL Network.

During the final two weeks of 2020 Pro Bowl voting — November 28-December 12 — fans will also be able to vote on Twitter. To cast a vote, fans should tweet the first and last name of the player, the player’s official Twitter handle, or a hashtag including the player’s first and last name. It must include the hashtag: #ProBowlVote.

Fans, players and coaches will each account for one-third toward determining the 88 All-Star players who will be selected to the Pro Bowl

Even though it hasn’t been the sunshine and rainbows for the Chargers, the team still has several players worthy of Pro Bowl consideration this season.

Running back Austin Ekeler has been a force as a ball carrier and as a pass-catcher. Ekeler has totaled 899 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns. Wide receiver Keenan Allen has cooled down a little bit the past few weeks, but he has still amassed 62 receptions for 725 yards and three touchdowns.

On the other side of the ball, cornerback Casey Hayward continues to shut down some of the league’s best receivers on a weekly basis. In the trenches, defensive ends Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa remain as one of the top pass-rushing tandems, combining for 13 sacks.

Fullback Derek Watt and linebacker Drue Tranquill have done their fair share of work on special teams. Watt leads the league in special teams tackles with 12, while Tranquill is third with nine.

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