Although the San Diego Chargers improved their 2012 regular-season
record to 3-1 and 2-0 in the AFC West with a 37-20 road victory over the Kansas
City Chiefs this past Sunday, the Lightning Bolts still have much to improve on
if they want to become a serious contender.
The Chargers basically went back to San Diego
triumphant because the Chiefs handed them the win by making boneheaded mistakes
throughout the division battle. If Kansas City’s offense hadn’t turned over the
ball six times, chances are Norv Turner’s squad would have lost another
heartbreaker at Arrowhead Stadium. When a team gives you the ball six times,
winning by 17 points isn’t much of an accomplishment, especially if the outcome
of the game is still in doubt in the middle of the fourth quarter.
Even with the return of left tackle Jared Gaither,
San Diego’s franchise quarterback, Philip Rivers, took far too many hits from
the Chiefs’ defense. Rivers was sacked three times Sunday, and he’s now been
sacked nine times for the season. Nine sacks over four games equate to a little
over two sacks suffered a contest. That’s not good.
Additionally, the ground attack didn’t exactly
dominate, as the running backs gained 104 yards on 31 carries for a 3.35
average. Clearly, the Chargers’ offensive line needs to do a much better job of
pushing the defenders back and opening holes for Ryan Mathews, Jackie Battle,
and company. Us Chargers fans have been waiting on that happening for years,
though, so it’s not recommended to hold your breath for any considerable
improvement in that area.
Cornerback Antoine Cason, the team’s 2008
first-round pick, once again failed to impress. Although he recorded an
interception, he was also burned by Dwayne Bowe for a long touchdown. San Diego
signed Chris Carr to add depth to the cornerback position, but someone, anyone,
needs to step up and make an impact as a cover man in this defense.
With another road game this coming Sunday, against
the New Orleans Saints, the Chargers still have a lot to prove as a team. While
the Saints are going into this game with an 0-4 record, Drew Brees can still
throw with the best of them, and he must be licking his chops in anticipation
of facing the Chargers’ defense.
Let’s hope San Diego is up for the challenge and improves to 4-1.
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