Tag: Chargers vs. Falcons

Everything to know from Chargers’ thrilling win over Falcons

Highlighting all the important stuff from the Chargers’ Week 9 victory over the Falcons.

You might’ve heard me say this before, but it wouldn’t be a Chargers win without doing so in nail-biting fashion.

And that’s what happened at Mercedes Benz Stadium on Sunday, as Los Angeles squeaked out a victory over the Falcons.

To recap the Bolts’ 20-17 win, here is everything to know.

Chargers vs. Falcons first-half highlights

Get caught up with all the action from the matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and Atlanta Falcons.

The Chargers lead the Falcons at the half, 14-10.

Here are all of Los Angeles’ notable highlights from the first two quarters.

Drue Tranquill’s career year continues.

With the Falcons facing a 3rd-and-7 from their own 34, Marcus Mariota dropped back to survey the field. Before he could get his head around, Tranquill wrapped him up for a near-instantaneous sack.

After going three and out on their first two possessions, the Chargers put together a 15-play, 83-yard drive that included conversions on 3rd-and-15, 3rd-and-6, and 3rd-and-9. Ekeler eventually took a two-yard carry into the endzone to cut the Falcons’ lead to 10-7.

After the Chargers found the endzone for the first time, their defense built on the momentum by forcing a three and out of the Falcons’ offense. On 3rd-and-3, Los Angeles sent James on a looping blitz that got home and ensured an Atlanta punt.

Talk about being a second-quarter team.

After getting the ball back, the Chargers scampered up the field for a 10-play, 63-yard drive. The result was a passing touchdown to Ekeler, marking his second of the day.

Chargers’ keys to victory over Falcons in Week 9

Here is how the Chargers beat the Falcons on Sunday.

The Chargers return from the bye on Sunday to face the Falcons, an unlikely first-place team through eight weeks of the season.

Los Angeles’ injury luck has not turned even with an extra rest week, making Sunday’s contest feel much closer than it should, given the preseason expectations of these two teams.

Here’s what L.A. needs to do to come away with a victory.

Find offensive contributors

We know Mike Williams and Joshua Kelley will miss this game. Keenan Allen aggravated his hamstring injury during the bye week, despite contrasting reports from Brandon Staley. Donald Parham Jr. looked set to come back from a concussion, only to be added to the injury report Thursday with a hamstring issue. Even kicker Dustin Hopkins and backup kicker Taylor Bertolet are on the injury report. Someone for Los Angeles has to step up beyond just Justin Herbert and Austin Ekeler. Maybe that’s Josh Palmer putting together his best game of the season as he returns from a Week 7 concussion. But more likely, it’ll need to be an unheralded name. Isaiah Spiller as RB2 behind Ekeler. Michael Bandy or a practice squad receiver like Keelan Doss, who was promoted. Whoever it is, the Chargers need someone to step up and produce because we’ve seen what this offense looks like without Allen. Now without Williams, there’s little reason to be optimistic about moving the ball if nobody answers the call.

Run the ball effectively

Speaking of moving the ball, one of the biggest reasons the Chargers haven’t been able to do so is that the running game is not functioning well. The blame is easy to place on offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi (more on that in a bit), but I think Lombardi’s run game calls have been the most creative and effective part of this offense. The issue is the blocking, especially on the interior. As Daniel Popper of The Athletic pointed out in this week’s mailbag, the Chargers have been at their most effective running the ball when center Corey Linsley has been 100%. That’s been a rarity, but it should be true on Sunday. Combine health, relatively speaking, with the creativity Lombardi has shown as a play-caller, and it should result in a big game on the ground. With the injuries at wide receiver, that’s exactly what the Chargers need.

Call a complete game

Okay, back to Lombardi and the blame game. Multiple things about this offense are true. Lombardi has shied away from dialing up the deep shots we’ve come to expect from Justin Herbert. That’s partly on Lombardi, of course, but it’s also that the Chargers find themselves in a lot of second or third and longs due to their poor run game. It’s also partly because Herbert’s rib injury has affected his ability as a passer. Herbert just wrapped up the worst five game stretch of his career by EPA/play, and not all of that can be waved away by playcalling or injuries to other personnel. He’s fighting every week, and credit to him, but the rib is clearly bothering him.

This, again, brings us back to the offensive coordinator because what is also true about this offense is that it’s falling flat for reasons beyond the injuries. With Herbert’s injury, Lombardi’s playsheet feels like it’s shrunk to just Stick, Hank, and the occasional Austin Ekeler screen. He has to do better, and he’s had the bye week to cook up some new variations. If LA is going to pull this one out even with all the talent missing on offense, it has to be because Lombardi reaches into his bag and produces something new.

Keep Marcus Mariota in the pocket

Atlanta has one M.O. on offense: get Mariota on the move. One of their most effective plays has been running crossers to the right side as Mariota rolls that way off of play action, primarily because it puts any zone defender in that half of the field in conflict as they follow Mariota’s eyes. If that defender crashes down to protect against a scramble, Mariota throws it over their head. If they stay home, Mariota can tuck and run, where he’s proven to be dangerous as well. The Chargers have to protect against this outcome, especially because of how poor the tackling has been this season, by playing outside contain. This has its risks, namely that Atlanta will use Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley as battering rams on the inside as a counter. But it’s a risk worth taking because if Mariota has to shorten his bootleg to remain inside the tackle box, things get much harder. Every single one of his six interceptions this season has come between the numbers.

Limit the explosive play

The Chargers are 31st in plays of 35 or more yards allowed this season with 13, per TruMedia. Again, there are multiple reasons for this, in my opinion. Joey Bosa’s absence has decimated this run defense, especially on the outside. Running backs can direct plays behind the tackle blocking a Chargers defender not named Khalil Mack, at which point defenders in the second and third levels have struggled to make tackles. Kenneth Murray in particular has struggled, logging a 28.4 PFF grade as a run defender on 113 snaps thus far. But the pass defense has given up 8 of these 13 plays as well. Maybe it’s as simple as chalking that up to JC Jackson losing track of his zone responsibilities, and we can close that case. But if it’s not, and I don’t think it is, LA had plenty of time to get their defensive miscommunications ironed out. On Sunday, they need to show their work if the Chargers will come away with the victory.

Generate momentum plays

LA is 4-3 coming into this game and will drop to .500 if they lose, with clashes against the 49ers and Chiefs next up on the schedule. PFF says the Chargers have the 4th hardest remaining schedule in the league. Although they still have a 47% chance to make the playoffs, per PFF, coming away from this game with something to feel positive about is paramount. The offense needs to find some sort of rhythm. The defense could use a turnover or two, especially ones that lead directly to points. A special teams splash play could flip the momentum of this game just as easily as an offensive or defensive one. This will likely be a one-possession game, but it needs to be one that the Chargers a) win and b) feel good about. They’re 3-1 in one-possession games this season, but all three wins came with growing pains. Against the Raiders, the game shouldn’t have been one possession in the first place. The Cleveland game was mired in controversy over Brandon Staley’s decision to go for it on fourth and two and felt more like an escape than a victory. Ditto for the Broncos game, in which the offense could only muster 19 points in an overtime contest. The best possible path to victory, on Sunday and beyond, is for LA to convert on big plays of their own and feel like they went out and took a game for perhaps the first time this season.

Chargers vs. Falcons: 5 storylines to follow in Week 9

Here are five important things to watch during the Chargers’ matchup with the Falcons.

The Chargers return to the field after their bye week, as they’re on the road set to take on the Falcons.

Here are five storylines to watch for Sunday’s matchup.

Doing with what they got

The storyline leading to the trade deadline was if the Chargers were going to trade for a receiver, given that their top three at the position had been dealing with their perspective injuries and lacked speed. They did not.

Keenan Allen is out after he reaggravated his hamstring during the bye week. Mike Williams is out for the next few weeks with a high ankle sprain. Josh Palmer, who was out in Week 7 with a concussion, will play.

That leaves Palmer as the No. 1 wideout. DeAndre Carter is questionable. Behind them, it’s Michael Bandy, Jason Moore, and Keelan Doss, who was promoted from the practice squad.

While they are limited at the position, the Bolts could possibly get by, considering the Falcons are 30th in pass defense DVOA. They will be without starting cornerbacks Casey Hayward and A.J. Terrell.

How is Herbert?

Justin Herbert has not been the same since he injured his ribs against the Chiefs, and he will be dealing with this injury in some capacity for the remainder of the season. But when he takes the field on Sunday, it will be nearly two months since he fractured his ribs.

Therefore, it’s worth monitoring if Herbert can finally establish some comfortability in how he’s playing, whether it be taking hits, moving around inside and outside the pocket, and trusting his receivers to make throws down the field more often than not.

Can the run game come to life?

The Chargers have been inconsistent on the ground and are 28th in rushing offense DVOA. But, again, injuries have been a significant factor.

They have been without Rashawn Slater, who ruptured his biceps. Corey Linsley has been healthy for only three games. Trey Pipkins has been playing with a sprained MCL. The tight ends have been inconsistent as blockers. Further, they’re missing their most productive rusher in Joshua Kelley.

But something will eventually have to give if they want to avoid their offense from being so inefficient.

Austin Ekeler has been good, but he’s been more active in the passing game. Sony Michel has been effective as a short-yardage specialist but nothing more. Rookie Isaiah Spiller deserves more looks at this point, even if it means sacrificing his snaps as a pass blocker.

Finding the EDGE

Another position that the Chargers are very thin is edge defender. Joey Bosa has been out with a groin injury. But they will also be without Chris Rumph II, who has a sprained MCL.

Los Angeles will turn to Kyle Van Noy to start opposite Khalil Mack, with Derek Tuszka and recently acquired Jeremiah Attaochu serving as the rotational edge defenders.

After moving across the field, Van Noy will be a mainstay off the edge for at least the next couple of weeks. He is coming off his best pass-rushing performance so far, as he had four pressures against the Seahawks.

Eliminate the explosive plays

The Chargers have given up the sixth-most explosive plays of any defense in the NFL with 55 — 18 rushes and 37 passes. The big carries have come from not being gap-sound up front and defenders taking bad angles and missing tackles in open space. And there have been far too many busted coverages.

The Falcons have one of the better offensive units, ranking No. 10 in rushing offense DVOA. Further, they run a lot of play-action off the running game, where wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts each have six explosive receptions.

5 key things to know about Chargers’ Week 9 opponent: Falcons

To get you prepped for the Chargers’ Week 9 matchup with the Falcons, here are some important things to know about them.

Fresh off their bye week, the Chargers travel to meet with the Falcons on Nov. 6 at 11:00 am PT.

To get you prepped for the Week 9 bout, here are five key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.

New guy under center

The Falcons signed Marcus Mariota this offseason after trading away Matt Ryan to the Colts. Up to this point in the season, Mariota has been serviceable for Atlanta. Mariota has thrown for 1,432 yards, ten touchdowns and six interceptions with a passer rating of 92.7. But in the last three games, he’s had a passer rating of over 100. While he’s passed the ball well in recent weeks, Mariota has made his money running in the ball. He has 55 carries for 280 yards and three scores this season.

Cordarrelle could be back

The Falcons designated Cordarrelle Patterson to return to practice after he was placed on the injured reserve after Week 4. Before he went on the IR, Patterson was fourth in the NFL in rushing (340 yards). Patterson had a career year in 2021, leading Atlanta in rushing (618 yards), in touchdowns (11) and finishing third in receiving (548 yards). The 10-year veteran brings a unique skill set as he spent the first eight years as a wide receiver.

One-two punch

Even though the Falcons have missed their best guy in the backfield, they still got plenty of production on the ground with rookie Tyler Allgeier and second-year Caleb Huntley. Allgeier has 324 rushing yards, 3.9 yards per attempt and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Huntley is averaging 4.6 yards per carry, and has forced 13 missed tackles. Allgeier and Huntley establishing themselves as productive backs could also allow the Falcons to move Patterson around more if he returns.

Imposing presences along the interior

The Falcons’ defensive line has some studs up front with Grady Jarrett and emerging star Ta’Quon Graham. Jarrett has 25 pressures, 15 hurries and five sacks. Graham, on the other hand, has 12 pressures and the second-most quarterback hits (six). But along with their high-level ability to get after the passer, the two are forces against the run.

Suspect secondary

The Falcons could be heading into this week without some key pieces in the defensive backfield, starting cornerbacks Casey Hayward and A.J. Terrell. Hayward is on the injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Terrell remained out of practice on Wednesday or Thursday with a hamstring injury. If Terrell is out, Atlanta will field second-year Darren Hall and recently acquired via trade from the Chiefs, Rashad Fenton. Heading into Week 9, the Falcons have one of the league’s worst passing defenses, allowing the most yards per game (306.9), the second-most yards per attempt (7.7) and the third-most touchdowns (14).

Chargers WR Keenan Allen suffers another injury setback

The Chargers’ wide receiver room is thin heading into Week 9.

The bye week was a good time for Chargers players to rest and recover, especially the ones who had injuries.

However, that was not the case for Keenan Allen.

Allen said his hamstring worsened during the bye week when training.

He did not practice Monday or Wednesday, and it’s possible he will miss Sunday’s game against the Falcons, according to Brandon Staley.

After missing five games following the season opener, Allen returned to the lineup in the Week 7 loss against the Seahawks. He only played in the first half.

Allen said he felt great going into Week 7, but not 100%.

Nothing happened in the game,” Allen said on the injury setback. “Taking my time with it and just going through it how we planned it and just through the bye week, kind of hit it again.

“I don’t think it was a restrain or anything. It is just some more scar tissue that is trying to break off and whenever it is ready to heal, just got to let it do its own thing.”

If Allen does not play, the Chargers could be without their top three receivers. Mike Williams is out for weeks with a high ankle sprain. Joshua Palmer is out of concussion protocol, but Staley did not say if he will play.

That would leave DeAndre Carter, Michael Bandy and Jason Moore as the active receivers. Joe Reed or John Hightower would likely be promoted from the practice squad.

Chargers CBs Casey Hayward, Chris Harris Jr’s best days could be behind them

The Chargers need to be in the market for corners after this season.

While the Chargers had a pair of defenders that had solid performances in Sunday’s win over the Falcons, the team also had two defensive backs that struggled.

Wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage combined for 13 receptions, 206 yards and a touchdown, which were allowed primarily by cornerbacks Casey Hayward and Chris Harris Jr.

Harris got beat by Ridley on a touchdown, which came from Gage on a trick play while Hayward was beat on multiple occasions. The two were also poor as tacklers, one of which was attempted by Harris that led to a touchdown by wide receiver Laquon Treadwell.

Ridley and Gage ran freely for the majority of the contest. This was all without Julio Jones, who was out with an injury. If Jones was active, I can only imagine what the outcome would have been.

This season Hayward has allowed 32 catches on 67 targets for 547 yards while Harris has allowed 17 receptions on 25 targets for 291 yards, in just six games.

Both players have dealt with their perspective injuries this season even though Harris experienced one much longer. Nonetheless, Los Angeles isn’t getting great production out of these players, who they expected to be key contributors this season.

Whether it’s due to injuries, the bottom line is that L.A. needs to be in the market for more reliable cornerbacks, whether that be through free agency or the early rounds of the draft.

If signs regression continue to be evident with Hayward, the Chargers could elect to release him before he becomes a free agent after the 2021 season. With Harris, they could choose to restructure his contract.

Watch: Relive every play from Chargers’ game-winning drive

Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert put together the first game-winning drive of his career.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has been victim of guiding his team, only to see a handful of late-game failures. But on Sunday, he was on the other side of the spectrum.

After sharing interceptions, cornerback Michael Davis picked off quarterback Matt Ryan to give Los Angeles the ball back with 30 seconds remaining in the game.

Without wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, both of whom had back injuries and offensive tackles Bryan Bulaga and Trai Turner, Herbert guided the team to the Falcons’ 25-yard line to set up kicker Michael Badgley for the game-winning field goal.

Herbert earned this game-winning drive with a dime of a throw to WR Tyron Johnson on a corner route, where he split two defenders with a perfectly placed ball.

It’s unfortunate that the win didn’t have any weight on the playoffs since the team is mathematically eliminated, but it was great to see Herbert put together the first game-winning drive of his young career.

Many more are bound to come.

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Instant analysis of Chargers’ 20-17 victory over Falcons

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez recaps Los Angeles’ Week 14 victory over Atlanta.

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The Chargers finally found a way to close one out, defeating the Falcons in the final seconds by the score of 20-17.

Here is my instant analysis from Los Angeles’ Week 14 victory:

Injury Report

Offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga left the game early on in the first quarter and did not return. The diagnostic was a concussion. Later on, guard Trai Turner left with what appeared to be a concussion, too.

Play of the Game: Michael Badgley’s game-winning field goal

After Justin Herbert drove the offense down the field, Badgley executed when it mattered the most to win the game.

Notable Number

25: Justin Herbert is the fourth rookie QB in history with 25 or more touchdown passes, joining Peyton Manning, Russell Wilson and Baker Mayfield.

Quick Takes

Statistically, Justin Herbert put together a decent performance, completing 36 of his 44 passes for 243 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. However, the majority of Herbert’s production came from throws underneath until late as he averaged 5.5 yards per pass, showing the inability to open up the playbook. Nonetheless, it was Herbert’s first career game winning drive.

What more can you say about running back Austin Ekeler? There hasn’t been one bad outing from the former Western Colorado product this season. Ekeler put on a show today, both on the ground and through the air, combining for 146 yards from scrimmage. While Ekeler flourished, credit goes to the guys up front, who had a handful of key blocks.

Wide receiver Keenan Allen caught nearly everything thrown his way, as per usual, recording nine catches for 52 yards and a touchdown. But his teammate, WR Tyron Johnson stepped up today for Mike Williams after he left early in the game with an injury, posting six catches for 55 yards and a score.

After getting gashed on the ground in recent weeks, the Chargers turned things around this weekend, only allowing 70 yards on 20 carries. However, the pass defense was suspect outside of the three interceptions, particularly cornerbacks Casey Hayward, Chris Harris Jr. and free safety Nasir Adderley.

Hayward and Harris Jr. allowed wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage to combine for 13 receptions, 206 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Adderley dealt with tackling woes. As a result, he was benched in favor of Rayshawn Jenkins, who had an interception shortly after.

After Anthony Lynn took over the special teams department, they saw some positive results . Adderley returned a kick for 76 yards. The coverage unit looked sharp. Most notably, kicker Michael Badgley made all of his kicks, including the 43-yard game-winning field goal.

Up Next

The Chargers travel to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 5:20 p.m. PT.

Twitter reacts to Chargers’ victory over Falcons

The Chargers were finally able to close out a game.

It was a sight that Chargers fans haven’t been used to, as kicker Michael Badgley connected from 43 yards out to put the game to bed as time expired, defeating the Falcons, 20-17.

After Los Angeles’ victory over Atlanta, let’s see how the general population reacted.