30,000 Volts of Lightning!

Rivers has now surpassed 30,000 passing yards.

Chargers 24-6 Jaguars

A second straight win and a second consecutive game without the opposition scoring a touchdown sent the Chargers to 4-3.

Philip Rivers threw for 285 yards and a touchdown to surpass 30,000 passing yards for his career. Rivers becomes the 37th man in NFL history to do so. Danny Woodhead ran in for a 2 yard touchdown after a 13 play, 80 yard drive. Eddie Royal scored the Chargers second TD with a 27 yard catch from Philip Rivers. Ryan Matthews ran for 110 yards, that was his second consecutive 100+ yard game. His touchdown came after a 10 play, 84 yard drive. Rivers also finished with 22-26 passes including a completion of his first 14.

The Chargers took care of things on the other side of the ball too with an interception and six sacks, Thomas Keiser and Marcus Gilchrist chipped in with two each. Chad Henne had multiple passes blocked by the defense and 11 quarters have now passed since the defense conceded a touchdown.

The bye week comes at a good time for the Chargers, they can have a week without competitive play and assess those players that are sat in the medical room. King Dunlap left the field with concussion. It remains to be seen if will be available for week 9. Dunlap was replaced by Mike Remmers who also left the field with an ankle injury.

The Jaguars made plenty of mistakes and reflect an 0-7 franchise. For Mike McCoy he has seen his San Diego Chargers come through a test that many said they would falter on. There is plenty of room for improvement but with Ryan Matthews and Danny Woodhead continuing to run the football, it gives the opposition something else to think about. Six sacks and an interception will also give the defense some added belief. 

Mike McCoy, Ken Whisenhunt and John Pagano seem to be installing confidence into a side that are chasing a wild card spot. Washington is going to be a much tougher test in week 9.

Don't Get Poached By The Jaguars

Keenan Allen is name NFL Rookie of the Week

As every week passes without a “W” pundits and fans are wondering and guessing when the next Jaguars win will be. No team wants to be the first to get scalped against a franchise with no win under their belt. Despite a professional performance against the Colts on Monday Night Football some are picking the Chargers to slip up on Sunday in Jacksonville.

The key for San Diego tomorrow is patience, using the football wisely as they did on Monday night will go a long way to ensuring a win is taken back to Southern California. There is no need for panic if the scores are tight going into half time. The Chargers have shown that the can control the clock but the offense are liable to turnovers if they have to chase the game like they did in Oakland.

Rookie Keenan Allen seems to be growing in confidence with each game. He has just been voted the NFL Rookie of the week. With a quality QB like Philip Rivers throwing to him he has shown he can find the end zone even on double coverage. Antonio Gates has a good history against the Jaguars, he will again look to lead the line backed up by the productive Danny Woodhead and Ryan Matthews. Matthews ran for 102  yards against Indianapolis in week 6. WR’s Vicnent Brown and Eddie Royal (questionable, toe) can both make plays and keep the drives going forward.

Eric Weddle has been in fine form and don’t bet against him to add to his 42 tackles.  ILB Manti Te’o may have to step up to the mark as ILB Donald Butler is listed as doubtful (groin) as is T DJ Fluker is probable (calf). The Chargers defense have claimed just two picks this season. Defensive co-ordinator John Pagano will be a happy man if those numbers are doubled come Sunday night.

WR Cecil Shorts III looks a doubt for the Jaguars with a shoulder injury. Maurice Jones-Drew and Justin Blackmon are the main threats for the Gus Bradley’s offense and the Chargers will have to deal with MJD in the same way that they dealt with Trent Richardson in week 7.

Another solid and professional job is required on Sunday from the Chargers. The Jaguars are 0-6 but they have pride and will continue in the hunt for their first win of the season.

Luck Disappears Down The River

Ryan Matthews in the Powder Blue

The eyes of the sporting world were all on Monday Night Football in San Diego as the Colts came to town to take on a Chargers team eager to bounce back from a defeat.

1st Quarter 

Within 5 seconds of the start the Chargers NT Cam Thomas gave away a cheap 5 yard penalty for a false start. The resulting play lead to a flea flicker by Andrew Luck who found WR Reggie Wayne for a 1st down on the Chargers 40 yard line. Two plays later and the visitors where on the 20 yard line. The defense held their line and the Colts where forced to kick for 3 points. 

RB Ryan Matthews made a 1st down as the Chargers used the running game to move the football up the field. Rivers was unable to complete his pass to Antonio Gates on 3rd down. The Colts received the football back and failed to make anything of their drive. Eddie Royal made a fair catch to set up a Chargers 1st and 10. Rivers still could not find rookie Keenan Allen and Mike Scifres again entered the field of play to punt back to the Colts.

With under two minutes to go in the first and Rivers began to find his range. 

2nd Quarter

Ryan Matthews continued to penetrate the Colts defence and Keenan Allen was holding on to the football from Rivers. With just over 12 minutes left in the second Rivers found Allen in the end zone with a peach of a pass on double coverage by FS Delino Howell and CB Vontae Davis.  Trent Richardson responded with a strong run shortly after but once again the Chargers defense stood firm and tackled hard.  As if Ryan Matthews had been told this was his last game of football he continued to run the football. Rivers continued to show his leadership and intelligence as the offense mounted on another drive. Eddie Royal was in the locker room with a toe injury but once again the commentator uttered the name "Ryan Matthews".  You heard it, the Chargers were employing a solid running game which kept Andrew Luck and his offense on the side line. Keenan Allen could not get on the end of a Rivers pass inside the end zone, resulting in a Chargers 3 pointer.

Indianapolis finished the first half in the same fashion as they started it with 3 points. HT 6-10. 

3rd Quarter

Danny Woodhead now came into the game. Keen Allen made his 7th catch of the evening as the offense continued to control the clock and the football. With just over 9 minutes left on the clock Nick Novak converted for 3 points. Corey Liuget made some nice tackles on defence to stop the Colts run as they looked to feed Trent Richardson. A Chargers drive that started on their own 10 yard line progressed through Keenan Allen and Danny Woodhead.

4th Quarter 

The Chargers were looking like a completely different team to that from week 5 and despite making more long drives they could not find the end zone. Nick Novak kicked for another two conversions and the visitors also converted for another 3 points.  Rivers made the final play taking a knee to move them to 3-3.

FT 9-19

Summary

The Colts can say that they did not make plays and dropped catches. Take nothing away from San Diego. 60 plays (30 runs and 30 passes) averaging 5 yards a play limited Andrew Luck's game time. Not many teams will prevent the promising young QB from touchdown passes this season.  The defence played smart  and worked well as a unit. King Dunlap looked solid in the pocket. Danny Woodhead did nothing to harm his reputation as he averaged 9.4 yards a carry. Ryan Matthews may have won a few more fans over with 22-102. Rookie Keenan Allen is fast becoming a Qualcomm favourite as he caught 9 for 107 and a touchdown.

Credit to Mike McCoy, Ken Whisenhunt and the rest of the coaching staff. This was a good solid performance against an inform Indianapolis Colts.  The game will not go down as a classic but more importantly the record books will show it as a "W". The Chargers just need to find that extra ingredient of success now which is consistency. Next up, a trip to Jacksonville.

Colts Watch

WEEK 6 OPPONENTS 

In just under a week the Indianapolis Colts (4-1) will be arriving in San Diego to face a wounded Chargers team looking to bounce back from Sunday's defeat. Chuck Pagano's Colts defeated Championship contenders Seattle last week in a back and forth game that ended the Seahawks winning streak.

Monday night's visitors have some capable weapons in the defence and especially in the offence.

Offence

Andrew Luck has a bright future in the NFL

The Colts are on a 3 game winning streak right now and sit at the top of the AFC South. The Colts second year QB Andrew Luck may not have electric stats but he has the ability to move the football on the ground and in the air.

Luck has thrown for 1144 yards, 7 TD passes, 2 interceptions and 12 sacks. He has rushed for 135 yards with 2 fumbles and 2 TD's.

RB Donald Brown has averaged 8.3 yards per carry. The number 31 out of Connecticut has 1 TD for 134 yards, averaging 31.4 yards carriage per game.

RB Trent Richardson has 2 TD's in 3 games for the Colts.

WR's Reggie Wayne and TY Hilton along with TE Coby Fleener each have 2 TD's this season. Hilton is in good form right now. Last week he averaged 28 yards a reception and caught for a 73 yard TD.

Defence

Veteran OLB Robert Mathis has an incredible 9.5 sacks in 5 games and he will be looking to hit Philip Rivers to add to his numbers.

ILB Jerrell Freeman has the 10th most combined tackles in the league with 43 which includes 3 sacks.

The Colts have given up 330.4 yards averaging 5.5 yards per play. 3rd and 4th down conversions are 32% and 30% respectively.

Injury Watch

RB Ahmed Bradshaw who leads the offence in rushing yards is out with a neck injury.

CB Vontae Davis is listed as probable (foot).

This is going to be a tough week 6 test for the Chargers as Mike McCoy looks to rally his side for a 3rd win of the season.

Moving Forward

The Bolt nation will be hurting right now as Mike McCoy licks the wounds of an Oakland defeat in the late Sunday night AFC West clash.

It's easy to look at the scoreline and wonder how the Chargers will respond to this.  The game highlighted both weaknesses and strengths of an improving San Diego team.

1st Quarter

Despite some superb early protection for Philip Rivers, he was intercepted by FS Usama Young. This lead to an Oakland drive and a TD from WR Rod Streaker. WR Denarius Moore evaded several tackles as the Chargers defensive line struggled to put him on the deck. DB Richard Marshall slipped as Terrel Pryor found Moore at the back of the end zone for a second Oakland TD.

2nd Quarter

Desperate to put some points on the board Philip Rivers looked for RB Danny Woodhead and WR Eddie Royal as the Chargers tried to make up some ground. TE Antonio Gates was stopped inches from the end zone as the Raiders held on to their 14 point lead. Despite Terrel Pryor displaying his sharp display of athletisism and Denarius Moore having the better of Richard Marshall the Chargers restricted the Raiders to a field goal by Seb Janikowski.

3rd Quarter

At 17 points up it looked like the Raiders had this one in the bag. Philip Rivers found rookie WR Keenan Allen as he continued to show his potential. Raiders CB Tracy Porter left TE John Phillips flat footed as he blocked a Nick Novak field goal attempt.  Rivers again found Keenan Allen in the end zone. The TD was not given as the rookie was ruled out of bounds. Opportunities were starting to appear for the Chargers. Novak converted a field goal  to register the visitors first points. A Danny Woodhead fumble allowed FS Charles Woodson to pick up the football and run into the end zone. Vince Brown made some nice receptions as he grew into the game.

4th Quarter

Going into the 4th things were looking very bleak for San Diego. Two seconds in and on the move, Danny Woodhead showed some real grit and determination to carry the football 6 yards into the end zone. The Chargers began to apply pressure as they got to Terrel Pryor. Keenan Allen returned an Oakland punt up the field and Antonio Gates was found by Philip Rivers as the Chargers began to play much better football. As the Raiders began to rack up the penalties, WR Vincent Brown was hit by a Rivers rainbow pass in the end zone but the TD was ruled out for an illegal formation. Rivers later found Keenan Allen has he broke the tackle to run in for a TD. At this point the Chargers where looking in total command of the football. A late Chargers comeback was halted by the Raiders after Janikowski converted another field goal. With time running  CB DJ Hayden and FS Charles Woodson both picked Rivers as he looked to find another 6 point score.

FT San Diego 17 - Oakland 27

Despite a fumble, Danny Woodhead looked hungry as he continued to impress in the offence. Vincent Brown and Keenan Allen also looked dangerous for the Chargers. On another day it could have been a different story. Consistency is going to be an issue this season but on a positive note Mike McCoy has something to work with. There will be more ups and downs in the coming weeks but it's all about staying positive.

San Diego(2-3)	0	0	3	14	17
Oakland(2-3)	14	3	7	3	27

Raiding With A Charge of Lightning

AFC WEST SHOWDOWN

The late show on Sunday night takes the Chargers (2-2) on the road to arch rivals the Raiders (1-3). There will be no love lost in the this one as Mike McCoy looks to turn the screw on rival coach Dennis Allen.

Despite being (2-2) there is a lot to be positive about in San Diego right now. The Chargers could have been (4-0) losing by just 3 points against Houston and Tennessee. Instead they are (2-2) after beating the Cowboys last week in a game where Dallas were supposed to get the "W" on the road. 

Philip Rivers threw for over 400 yards and ensured that the script was torn up. Both Rivers and Antonio Gates seem to have found some form in the early season firing as a V8 as opposed to a lumpy four cylinder engine. Head coach Mike McCoy and offensive coach Ken Whisenhunt must take some credit for this. Coach Whisenhunt stated that Rivers is having fun, a clear sign that morale and team spirit is high within the San Diego camp. Rivers has now passed for 1199 yards with 11 TD's , Gates has 364 receiving yards and two TD's.

WR Eddie Royal and RB Danny Woodhead have also shown some great form in the offence. Royal has five TD's in his first two games, despite having quiet game against Dallas last week he will be looking to make an impact on Sunday night. Danny Woodhead has shown New England what they have been missing, he had five catches for 54 yards and two touchdowns rushing for 32 yards on five carries, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. Woodhead was a constant thorn in the Cowboys defence and Dennis Allen will have to make sure his Raiders defence pay close attention to him.

The Bolt nation sat up with excitement on Sunday as Rookie WR Keenan Allen made a spectacular 31 yard catch on 3rd and 8. Keenan has 110 yards for 8 receptions averaging 13.8 yards. Keenan will want to continue on his own good form and what better way to do that than with a first career TD at Oakland.

The Chargers have the passing numbers right now, but Coach Whisenhunt will be looking to improve the offence in rushing. It's working progress and with Rivers playing with swagger he has some capable weapons in his armoury.

LB Jarret Johnson has two sacks this season but FS Eric Weddle leads the Chargers with 31 combined tackles.  The Raiders will look to Darren McFadden to lead their running game. Defensive coach John Pagano will be looking to to his defence to break the pocket early and attack Terrelle Pryor. Pryor has only thrown for 624 yards and two TD's. Injuries aside the Raiders QB can be explosive and he will be looking to exploit the absence of LB Dwight Freeney who is on injured reserve (thigh). If the Chargers take the Raiders running game away then Pryor will be forced to play the passing game, WR's Danarius Moore and Rod Streater don't have huge numbers and there is every chance for a Chargers pick. 

If Rivers and the offence keep the football there won't be that much of a call for defensive worries, which is easier said than done.  I said last week that Cowboys game was huge for the Chargers, loosing that game would have been a hammer blow for the Bolt nation going into week 5. Instead a win against Dallas breeds spirit and belief as Mike McCoy continues to get the best of out his improving San Diego Chargers.

Despite the late rearrange match up, one thing is for sure, Chargers fans on both sides of the Atlantic won't be missing this one. Go Chargers!