Patriots 2014 Opponents, 5 First Impressions of the Chargers
The New England Patriots return to prime time, playing the San Diego Chargers on Sunday Night Football by NBC. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. and their team of Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth will be on the call.
The Patriots (9-3) lost a tough one in Green Bay 26-21; Aaron Rodgers had a big game passing for 368 yards and two touchdowns. The Patriots offense which had been on a roll for the past seven games, got off to a slow start and wasn’t able to keep pace.
The Chargers (8-4) won on a last minute touchdown pass from Philip Rivers to beat the Baltimore Ravens 34-33. The win was the third in a row for the Chargers who are stil chasing the Denver Broncos in the tight AFC West. San Diego is currently the #5 seed in the AFC playoff race.
So as we enter the final quarter (the season has once again flown by) of the 2014 NFL Season, here are our 5 First Impressions of the Chargers:
Tough Stretch to Finish the Season: Following their game in Baltimore, the Bolts have the Patriots then the Broncos at home, and go on the road for their final two contests in San Francisco and Kansas City, both tough places to play. Much like the Patriots current schedule where they’re playing against playoff teams and divisional leaders, this final quarter of the season will either make or break the Chargers season. The Chargers can finish anywhere between 12-4 or 8-8.
One thing is for certain however, if they make the playoffs given this recent skein of tough contests; this will be a battle-tested team. One thing in their favor, like the Patriots, they hit bottom in a game in Miami where it seemed they didn’t show up losing 37-0. But rather than come apart or struggle down the stretch, they re-energized the team and have won three straight since the South Florida debacle. That shows a resilience that will serve the team well.
Talented Group of Recievers to Throw to For Rivers: Pardon me if we’ve heard this week after week the past month and a half. But the Chargers have plenty of weapons for QB Philip Rivers to throw to and they will provide yet another test for the Patriots secondary to contend with.
Three wide receivers led by Keenan Allen who has really made a big jump in his second year with 72 catches for 762 yards and four TDs, Eddie Royal (43, 532 yds, 6TDs) and Malcom Floyd (39, 689 yds, 4 TDs) to go along with the ever dangerous TE Antonio Gates who has caught 47 passes for 574 yards and nine touchdowns give San Diego a very versatile group of receivers. They’re deep and dangerous and Rivers will spread the ball to whoever is open.
They do use the backs out of the backfield as Branden Oliver and Donald Brown have combined for 45 catches, but it is here that they miss former Patriot Danny Woodhead who is out for the season with a broken leg.
Matthews, Running Game Still Not 100 Percent: Prior to the season, the Chargers were boasting a three-headed monster at RB with Ryan Matthews, Danny Woodhead and Brown. But the season ending injury to Woodhead and an injury to Matthews have forced them to look more to Oliver this year who had a couple of big games mid-season.
Matthews has been dinged up and only played in seven games in 2014. Now that he’s almost back to nearly 100 percent, we should see an uptick in the Bolts running this weekend. Don’t read too much into Matthews 38 yard performance against the Ravens on Sunday. Baltimore is always tough against the run but in the Chargers previous two games, wins against the Raiders and Rams, the Chargers rushed for 120 and 128 yards respectively.
Double “A-Gap” Pressure This Week?: With the Chargers now on their fifth center of the season, one has to assume that the Patriots may attempt to bring pressure on QB Philip Rivers up the middle this week. Rivers has had Nick Hardwick as his starting center for the past four years, but he went down with a neck injury and has been lost for the season. He was replaced by former Patriot OL Rich Ohrnberger and Doug Legursky who both then suffered season ending injuries.
Last week Chris Watt was hurt in Baltimore and was replaced by former Notre Dame teammate Trevor Robinson as the carousel of injuries at center continue. Robinson was on the field for three touchdown drives in the second half but must be looked at as a potential weak spot.
Chargers’ Defense Always Tough: If there is one thing that always stands out about playing San Diego especially on the road is that they always seem to play Tom Brady tough. While they haven’t had a lot of sacks this season with 18, they do have former Colts standout and Pats nemesis Dwight Freeney.
But the guy to watch on the Bolts defense is safety Eric Weddle. Weddle is the guy who makes things happen all over the field. Whether he’s making a big hit in the secondary, blitzing the quarterback or breaking on a pass to make a key interception, Weddle will have to accounted for on Sunday.
Not the biggest guy at 5’11, 203, Weddle is very physical and they may use him to challenge Rob Gronkowski. He and CB Brandon Flowers are the two top players in the secondary. Another interesting matchup will be who Flowers lines up against. He’s closer in size to Julian Edelman but they may opt to use him on the larger Brandon LaFell.
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