After another wonderful win against the Bengals
Hunter Henry Color Rush Jersey , the Chargers are gearing up for what looks to be their most important and pivotal game of the regular season. While most Chargers faithful had this date circled on the calendar before the season began, it has been incredible to see the Chargers continue to catch up to the Chiefs after a really tough starting slate in 2018.There are a number of very important items on the line for this Thursday’s game: Not only the fate of the AFC West (the Chiefs would still have to lose another game, but a win this week would seal it for them). On the brighter side, the Chargers also have the door open for the #1 seed in the AFC if they win out (and have a few dominoes fall their way). Oh, and one final thing— a win this week clinches a playoff spot for the Bolts. However, both the Chiefs and the Chargers will be hurting at one of their positions of strength this season: Running Back. The Chiefs ditched the baggage of Kareem Hunt, and deservedly so, and that has left a bit of a vacuum that hasn’t filled quite well with Spencer Ware and Damien Williams. They have reason to be optimistic, but RB is not the threat the offense had become used to.And the Chargers have been without Melvin Gordon III, who was enjoying a breakout year before missing action since November 25 because of a knee injury. In his absense, capable running back Austin Ekeler has been doing double the work he has been used to this year. He took 66 on the ground and 28 through the air—not bad for a $555k salary!However
Joe Barksdale Color Rush Jersey , reports began to storm in that Ekeler suffered a neck ‘stinger’ during the game, and his week 15 presence would be questionable.Neither Gordon nor Ekeler practiced Monday, when more grim reports began to surface. Austin Ekeler entered the concussion protocol on Monday, and that is in addition to his prior woes.It’s pretty clear that things look grim for Ekeler’s availability this week.But what about Gordon, who theoretically is day to day?The fact of the matter is that things don’t look good for a rushing attack on Thursday, but coach Anthony Lynn is a bit too wiley to give Andy Reid too much of a game planning cookie: he is giving some positive indications that Gordon could be back.In any event, Chargers fans should brace for an aerial showdown on Thursday evening, as both teams feature capable signal callers. There is an outside chance that one or both of the Chargers’ featured running backs can make the game, but it would be quite the surprise if they are up to speed by Thursday.-Jason “Run it Anyway” Michaels COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Philip Rivers is an Oakland Raiders fan this week, sort of.Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers can win the AFC West and secure home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs by beating Denver and having the Raiders defeat Kansas City on Sunday.The Chargers can also take the division title
Casey Hayward Color Rush Jersey , a first-round bye and home field with a tie against the Broncos and a Chiefs loss. "I'm rooting for us on Sunday and whatever happens happens," Rivers said Wednesday. "I don't know that my cheering is going to matter."Those scenarios are rendered moot if the Chargers (11-4) don't hold up their end, so the team's focus is directed internally and not on an assist from their nemesis in silver and black.A loss by Los Angeles or a Kansas City win would see the Chargers finish as the No. 5 seed in the AFC, likely playing at the AFC North winner in the wild-card round next weekend."Yeah, I'd love to see the Raiders play their best game of the year and win, but we can't control that," Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said. "We got this Denver team that since I've been here we're 1-2 against so we're looking to get even there. We have some improvement to do this week to get there."The Chargers need help, in part, because of their 23-22 loss to the Broncos at home on Nov. 18. That defeat was partially self-inflicted, with the defense allowing pass plays of 38 and 30 yards to set up Brandon McManus' 34-yard field goal as time expired.The offense had an opportunity to run out the clock in Denver territory, but Rivers was forced to scramble for a loss of 4 yards and threw away a third-down pass instead of keeping the clock running.Rivers said managing those late-game situations become even more important going into the playoffs."The consequences go up
Melvin Ingram Color Rush Jersey ," Rivers said. "A possession in the fourth quarter with eight minutes left is a little different than the second quarter, right? Just all those things are a little more critical in the fourth quarter of a one-score game and what's going to be the fourth quarter of a postseason game here real soon."The Broncos (6-9) also sacked Rivers three times in that game, and improving their pass protection is a priority for the Chargers after allowing four sacks in their 22-10 loss to Baltimore on Saturday.The Ravens had success rushing with four defenders in that game, and the Broncos' edge rush combination of Von Miller and Bradley Chubb is even more formidable, Lynn said. Chubb has 12 sacks and has a chance to pass the rookie record of 14½ set in 1999 by Jevon Kearse. Miller has 14½ sacks, his fifth consecutive season with double-digit sacks."One of the best defensive players in the game," Lynn said of Miller. "And Chubb's not bad either. That combination right there, I do believe that's the strength of their defense is that pass rush, and so we're going to have to find a way to contain those two, for sure."Lynn felt the offensive line was unfairly criticized for its performance against Baltimore, saying the tight ends and running backs also contribute to protections.There are other factors
Uchenna Nwosu Color Rush Jersey , he added, from the receivers running routes and creating separation to Rivers getting rid of the ball in certain situations.Addressing pass protection and other issues will help keep the Chargers focused on what happens against Denver, Rivers said."We know we get a game the following weekend," Rivers said. "Where, who knows, or how it all shakes out. But let's focus on us and get back playing the way we've played most of this year. Offensively, we've got plenty of things to work on this week both in practice and hopefully let that transfer to playing better on Sunday."And if the Raiders come through, all the better for the Chargers."It is weird to be rooting for the Raiders," Lynn said. "But that's the nature of this business, you know."NOTES: RB Austin Ekeler practiced Wednesday. Lynn expects Ekeler to play after missing the past two games because of a neck injury and concussion.
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