Chargers finally see team they remember
By: MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | ∞
Chargers' Shaun Phillips puts the hurt on Ravens' quarterback Kyle Boller in the 4th quarter, knocking him down in the end zone after getting rid of the ball. Boller was sacked in the play before this one as well.
BILL WECHTER Staff Photographer
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SAN DIEGO ---- Antonio Gates recognized something familiar, and the friendly spectacle made for a fun Sunday of reminiscing.
"This is the offense we used to know," Gates said.
Accompanying the improved offensive play was an outcome the Chargers got to know well last season ---- a well-earned, convincing victory. The Chargers clicked on all cylinders Sunday while blasting the Baltimore Ravens 32-14 before 63,337 at Qualcomm Stadium.
Quarterback Philip Rivers performed as well as he has all season, Gates caught two touchdown passes and had 105 yards receiving, linebacker Shawne Merriman played like a man possessed, and Nate Kaeding kicked four field goals.
"We understand what it takes, and now we just have got to do it," said Rivers, who threw three touchdown passes and didn't commit a turnover. "Our offense and defense were in sync. They'd get us (the ball) back on the short field, and we'd score. We were in sync."
The Chargers (6-5) are also back on top of the AFC West after Denver blew a 14-point, fourth-quarter lead in a loss to Chicago. They control their fate, holding a one-game lead with five games left in the season.
"We definitely want to put a run together," defensive end Igor Olshansky said. "This has been an up-and-down, roller-coaster season for us. This is going to be the biggest month. December is the biggest month for us, playing three division games, and this is where our history is going to be written right here."
Speaking of history, running back LaDainian Tomlinson made some more of it by becoming the 23rd NFL player to surpass 10,000 career rushing yards. Tomlinson reached the milestone on an impressive 36-yard third-quarter run, easily his best moment of a game in which he gained 77 yards on 24 carries.
"We knew it was going to be tough, but we stayed with it, and I think that's why some of our pass plays opened," Tomlinson said.
Baltimore's concern with containing Tomlinson was a key element in the Chargers' first touchdown, a 35-yard pass to a wide-open Gates that gave the Chargers a 9-7 lead with 7 minutes, 16 seconds to go in the first half.
At that point, Tomlinson had a measly 3 yards on eight carries as the Ravens stacked the line of scrimmage. From then on, the Chargers, who scored 22 second-quarter points, never trailed as Rivers (25-of-35 for 249 yards) regularly exposed a Baltimore secondary that was missing Pro Bowl cornerback Chris McAlister.
The Chargers eventually scored 26 unanswered points, including a 5-yard scoring pass to Chris Chambers, a 25-yard touchdown to Gates and two Kaeding field goals to make it 29-7 with 11:30 left in the third quarter.
The splurge placed the Ravens (4-7) in the uncomfortable position of coming back from a large deficit, something an offense that revolves around Willis McGahee runs and short passes isn't built to do. An intense defensive effort limited Baltimore to 210 total yards and sacked Kyle Boller four times. McGahee, the NFL's third-leading rusher, had just 59 yards and was outgained by an opposing back for the first time all season.
But most pleasing to the Chargers was the way they played the game. Just one week earlier, Merriman had blistered his teammates after a loss to Jacksonville, alleging that not every player had a hate-to-lose attitude. It's safe to say he had no such thoughts after this game.
"I think I sensed it early on in the game," Merriman said of his teammates possessing a no-lose attitude. "When this team sets their minds and has a mind-set that we're not going to lose and not only are we going to win, we're going to punish a team, it's scary because you get it on both sides of the ball.
"We have some guys in this locker room that smelled it early and went after it and really played hard."
It took the fans a while to sense that the Chargers were going to roll over the Ravens. The boo-birds were out after the team's second offensive play. Tomlinson gained 1 yard on the first play and was stuffed for no gain on the second.
"I'd like to say I don't hear it, but I don't like to lie," Chargers coach Norv Turner said. "I just think it's unfortunate because I just don't think people understand. That team is second in the league in rush defense, and certainly there are some things we wanted to do early to feel them out.
"It's a long game. I don't think any game has ever been won on the first play of the game, and certainly never been won on the second play of the game."
After the 122nd play from scrimmage, the Chargers were celebrating a resounding victory and looked more like the team predicted to run away with the AFC West than the one that has been maddeningly inconsistent this season.
"It's not a given that you're going to be successful," Gates said. "You have to work hard on every play, every down. Nothing is guaranteed in this league. That is something we had to learn the hard way."
Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.
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Jimbo wrote on Nov 25, 2007 6:37 PM:Maybe the booing finally got Rivers to wake up. Or maybe finally Norv put him on notice. In any case the Chargers won. On to next week and see if Good or Bad Rivers shows up.
Bobby wrote on Nov 25, 2007 7:24 PM:Great to see somebody in coaching found out how to light a fire under them! Best they played in a long time, just great to see emotion back
Joe wrote on Nov 25, 2007 8:57 PM:This is who we thought the Chargers were. At least we can beat up on another team with a losing record who was playing their 2nd string quarterback. Much better play calling, except for the infamous LT into the brick wall plays, on offense and defense and very good pass protection. Nice to see Jackson finally show up (good fingertip catch) and Merrimonster unleashed and Gates perform well. I hope "Leads the league in interceptions" Cormartie continues to start over "Toast/headbut" Florence. I'll bet the NY Giants would prefer to have Rivers' performance today over Eli's. Great job by Kaeting kicking 4 field goals. As for running LT up the gut for no gain over and over we might as well put Pinnock or Burner Turner in there for that and save LT for the plays "in space". The last 2 games have shown a glimmer of hope of better play calling and execution so hopefully the Chargers are finally beginning to get the "CONTINUITY" we were SOLD many months ago and can stay hot and get to the "tournament". No it's time for some serious revenge against the Chiefs on their field. Go Chargers!
Daren wrote on Nov 25, 2007 9:17 PM:Good to see Rivers yelling at the fans telling them to shut up. It's about time he started playing with some fire & emotion. It was also a good win by the Chargers, but there is still one glaring weakness with this team. It's not the head coach, it's the offensive line. They were really bad today. They allowed too much defensive penetration. They didn't open holes consistently. It's not a coaching thing. It's a player-execution thing. The players need to do better.
The 3 Amigos wrote on Nov 26, 2007 12:14 AM:25 of 35 249 yds 3 TDs NICE JOB PHILIP hopefully this will shut the boo birds up for a while. Antonio & LT thats what I`m talking about
What wrote on Nov 26, 2007 4:26 AM:is all the cheering about? The Ravens are a lowsy team with a losing record! The Chargers managed to defeat a team they should have crushed! BIG DEAL! Rivers still made lowsy passes, LT still didn't get the run blocking this team should be able to give him and the game plan was just enough to beat a bad team. THAT IS ALL! The team won this game because they were good enough to overcome the weakness in the coaching staff. The coaching staff is still unimaginative and if the next team comes at the Chargers with blitzes and a decent defense the Chargers will be back in trouble again! Sorry fans no bright light at the end of this tunnel until we get a new coaching staff.
jaque wrote on Nov 26, 2007 8:15 AM:Good all around game. In addition to the passing game opening up, it was even nicer to see actual blitz schemes being implemented. Look for a closer game in KC, with the Bolts prevailing 27-21.
Bobby wrote on Nov 26, 2007 8:58 AM:Somebody needs to tell Norv every play counts! Marty used to say the outcome of most games comes down to one or two plays. If Norv is going to punt at his own 20 after three running plays it the start of the game, maybe he should kick off instead of receive?
RICHARD wrote on Nov 26, 2007 9:04 AM:Still I have to say Norv Turner and Ted Catrell still have to go. No matter how good we play the rest of the season.
ben wrote on Nov 26, 2007 9:16 AM:to little to late. when will you all see that the chargers suck. period. allways have, allways will. go packers!!!
boltfan wrote on Nov 26, 2007 9:19 AM:Great game-on both sides of the ball. LT was good even though they stuffed him to make Rivers beat them. And he did - with an excellent performance - his passes were crisp and mostly "on the money" against a highly ranked defense. Great to see the "D" back inm form.
Roy wrote on Nov 26, 2007 10:19 AM:You bloggers crack me up. We win and we are playoff bound; we lose so its time for a coaching change. My message stays consistent: This team is not playoff caliber and the coaching is horrible. That is why we are inconsistent and that is why we will be lucky if 8-8 is our final record.
Don't get too happy wrote on Nov 26, 2007 10:58 AM:Geez you'd a thought the bolts won the championship. Yeah great victory over a losing team in peril. This victory is like beating up that kid in gym class with the glasses and the shorts pulled up to his neck. The Chargers and their fans are a friggin joke. Last season they went 14-2 playing bottom feeders. This year they get a tougher schedule and now you wonder what happened to the chargers? Geez freaks catch a clue...
Brad wrote on Nov 26, 2007 11:30 AM:I must say it was fun to watch the defense finalaly play with some urgency. We were much better at the LB position and our tackeling was good. As for the offense when are we going to get it thru to Norv that L.T is an Off Tackle runner, not 1 gap. when we run off tackle we look good, when he goes up the gut he has been getting hammered. As for Play calling.......please too many drives that ended in under 2 min. Run LT....chew up the clock....tire the Defense....play action....see there thats the blue print for the offense....as for the D...apply pressure and for gods sake would you please stop someone on 3rd down... Go Bolts
Jeff wrote on Nov 26, 2007 11:32 AM:Great game. I watched it from a casino here in Las Vegas. I just hope that Cottrell keeps the defense aggressive and no more conservative crap. I also want to see the LT & Burner scheme used a little more.
Charger Fan In BOSTON wrote on Nov 26, 2007 12:27 PM:LT21 go open the GATES85 and let the RIVERS17 flow into the CHAMBERS89..copyright by Chargers fan in BOSTON
BOLT BELIEVER wrote on Nov 26, 2007 12:40 PM:RIVERS IS 13-1 AT HOME AS A STARTER & THE KID IS MATURING. I DEFINATELY FEEL THE BEST IS YET TO COME. THE AFC WEST IS OURS FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS & THE PATS SHOULD HAVE LOST YESTERDAY. I`M STILL THINKING WE`VE GOT A CHANCE TO TAKE THE AFC THIS YEAR. ARE YOU READY FOR A SD V DALLAS SUPERBOWL? THE PLAYERS NEED TO BELIEVE. DO YOU BELIEVE? I SAID DO YOU BELIEVE? YES I BELIEVE
Nor Cal Charger wrote on Nov 26, 2007 1:04 PM:I agree with Jimbo..booing woke up Rivers...hopefully KC fans will boo him as well...nice to see Defense play at last years pace. 5 games to go..and oh yeah, thanks Denver for losing to Devin Hester..Go Bolts!
Concerned-1 wrote on Nov 26, 2007 1:15 PM:Okay here's next week's game plan. First down, we run LT up the middle. Second down we run LT up the middle. Third down, Rivers rolls out to the right and throws the ball coaches on the other team. If this works, we will run the same series over and over again. Wait...am I missing something?
to ben wrote on Nov 26, 2007 2:58 PM:the chargers don't suck, they just need some help, what sucks is your spelling...the word always is spelled with one l!!! work on it buddy!!!
Mo wrote on Nov 26, 2007 6:22 PM:Rivers is the key to the team's success. If he does his part, this team is a whole different animal. The pass protection was pretty darn good too. Boy it's nice to see Phil have a solid game. I'm not settling for less, but if they can beat K.C. and Denver in the next few weeks, that's all they need to take the West.
charger fan living amongst cheese heads wrote on Nov 26, 2007 6:23 PM:WE LOOKED GREAT YESTERDAY I KNOW THE RAVENS ARE LOSERS BUT ITS A GREAT DEFENCE OUR REMAINING GAMES ARE NOT THAT TOUGH HERE'S TO RUNNING THE TABLE!
Rob wrote on Nov 27, 2007 5:11 AM:What I hate is all of you haters on here critiscizing the Chargers. Baltimore is a lot better team then their record. Didn't you just read that they are one of the top run defenses in the league. Rivers played consistent and that's all he needs to do with no turnovers. This team will win the AFC West and hopefully a couple playoff games.
BoltDan wrote on Nov 27, 2007 8:45 AM:Hey we do not completly suck.. it was a good game to fix our crappy coached team. I agree with several people here. One game at a time and improve at each one of them... oh! that was Marty...sorry. What does Norv preach? OH! sorry... NOTHING! Good game though and lets hope that it continues on the road this week in KC... we should crush them with our talent but that just doesnt happen on a Norv coached team. Oh yeah did anybody see all the AJ fired players on other teams sunday playing great...I did.
BoltDan wrote on Nov 27, 2007 8:48 AM:Oh and about Turner... AJ has put a do not run sticker on him... this way his stock will go down this year and will have to re-sign with us... it stinks for Turner and will turn him against the team. Every time he comes in they rarely hand it off to him... he had how many big runs last year??? then no #1 for him and AJ puts him on the shelf. Oh well so much for winnin
Speed-rusher#95 wrote on Nov 28, 2007 12:16 AM:Bolt Believer, appreciate and like your optimism, but let's be realistic: we aren't on the NE, Dall, GB or Indy level....yet. we still have work to do. Let's go at least 4-1 these remaining five and enter the POs on a high note; WIN the PO game at home vs. Jax, and we're in business. WE will be the team NO ONE wants to see in the playoffs. Everyone is beatable; just ask NE. We need to adopt the Marty-mantra of: "one play at a time, one game at a time, one win at a time". It all starts Sunday in KC.
Taylor wrote on Nov 28, 2007 1:49 PM:I hope good Rivers shows up. If we get consitent play from Rivers the Chargers will be unstoppable
lance wrote on Dec 9, 2007 1:43 PM:I am very happy that the chargers won
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