After re-watching the SD game (first half)

I recently re-watched most of the first half of the SD game. I watched with the benefit of "coaches film" via NFL Game Rewind.

I was very impressed with SD's secondary play. There was hardly anywhere for Ben to go with the ball. Their linebackers did an excellent job of dropping deep enough to cover the middle of the field and the corner play was solid.

Anyone else have an opinion on SD's defense against us? I really felt like they were dominant...and, after watching film, I'm not necessarily inclined to believe it was due to poor play on our part. I hope no other team is able to mimic what they did against us, heh.

 

Todd Haley should've did a better job of calling plays. That bubble screen that close to your own endzone was a terrible call Brown needed to be more aggressive falling on the ball fumble.

 

But the issue is that San Diego played, what, 12 other teams and were terrible. So, the question is why, suddenly, did they become this awesome D? I believe our horrendous play had alot to do with it. I think the San Diego D gained more confidence as the game went on and we did nothing to adjust- as usual.

 

We no longer dominate. If we are a running team or passing we no longer impose our will on other teams. We don't use our strengths to perfection.

 

running a fourth and inches without a fb mada me mad

 

fix the o-line and it won't be this way.

 

San Diego has the 9th overall ranked D in terms of yards per game
SD has the 22nd ranked passing D
SD has the 4th ranked run D
SD has the 10th ranked D when it comes to take aways
SD has the 16th ranked D when it comes to PPG...slightly more than 1ppg worse than Pittsburgh.

Not what I would call 'terrible.' In fact I'd say its far above average...even pretty darn good.

 

part of that attributed to the division they play in. but, they have been in every game. they have been losing but not been walked on.

 

We played a team that has a losing record but beats teams we couldn't.
won over the Raiders 22-14
won over the Titans 38-10
won over the Chiefs 37-20 & 31-14 (won by a bigger margin then we did)

 

They play the Broncos. Twice. The other 3 teams in the AFC West are ranked 4th (Broncos), 22nd (Chiefs), and 13th (Raiders) offensively. Thats an average of 13th. Top 1/2 of the league.

The Steelers by comparison play the Bengals (15th), Ravens (18th), and Browns (26th)...an average of nearly 20th.

 

so when were we dominant? When did we impose our will?

 

if there was ever a time for a play action pass that was it. cant remember if Miller was in, but the Chargers had 10 or 11 guys at the line and the Steelers had zero chance at converting that. they could have snuck Miller out and probably went for 7.