We’ve just released Episode 124 of the Thunder Down Under Chargers Podcast.
Our synopsis is below:
The Chargers’ sweet start to the season was soured on Sunday at the MetLife Stadium. In an upset performance, rookie QB Jaxson Dart scored twice and did just enough at the helm to lead the Giants to a 21-18 victory. The true victors on the day were the Giants’ Defensive Line, who constantly pressured Herbert – their highlight play, a 37-yard INT return from 340 pounds Defensive Tackle Dexter Lawrence. As the Bolts dust themselves off from their first loss of the season and count their battle wounds (which include Joe Alt ending the game in a moon boot), today on TDU we bring you our game recap and then look ahead to another NFC East opponent in Wk 5, the Washington Commanders. Don’t miss it!
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Hope you enjoy the episode! Thanks so much for listening 🙂
Alister (@TDU_Alister)
God, just when I was turning the page on the game, you posted the All 22 clips and my PTSD returned. It was worse than I remember watching at the game. Even the Giant fans around me were shocked at how bad the OL was. As I said in my response on the YT page, this game was 100% on the staff. They had to have sensed the malaise in this group in practice or during travel. The fans felt this one coming, so I’m sure the coaches did as well. Loved this pod as a Chargers Therapy session. On to Washington, which is a big week to see how this team responds. Hopefully the cross country flight has some effect on the Commanders this week.
Jealous that you got to see Kyle over the weekend and enjoy that experience, Erick. Less jealous that you had to sit through that game live!
Fingers crossed for tomorrow.
Regarding West coast teams traveling to Eastern settings with 1 pm Eastern kickoffs, I posted in another thread recently:
On the OL, current PFF offense grades are sobering (ranks among 174 OL with at least 100 blocking snaps):
Other than Alt, that is horrendous.
Agree on the checkers/chess discussion about Roman. He’s not the guy to maximize this (or any) offense. But he is Harbaugh’s guy, so I’m resigned to having him.
Another good show. Thanks, guys.
I was hoping you might have investigated the question previously, Tau. Interesting.
A quick AI-summary using Copilot) also yielded the below results:
2003–2014: West Coast teams had a notable disadvantage against the spread (ATS) in early East Coast games. Bettors who faded these teams often profited.
If circadian rhythm is the driver maybe the difference has been team’s flying over earlier in the week or staying on that side of the country for back-to-back away games (like the Carolina/Pittsburgh sequence you referenced).
Thanks!
Sam Mustipher is back…..
Yay…..
This week we had one day of practice with Salyer training at LT.
Then we had one day of practice with Deculus at LT.
Neither Becton nor Alt look likely to play this week.
Mustipher is signed to the Practice Squad as you mention.
Greg Roman says today that Bozeman is playing great and they’re not thinking about making a move at Center.
All up….not great, Bob!
Nice post, always appreciate the All-22 clips.
I think we need to take stock of the fact that the Chargers played without and will need to continue playing without their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th most important players (I’d argue Slater, Alt, Mack, are in those slots following Herbert). Having Becton out hurts too.
Obviously Slater is out for the year, so with the way the roster stands, they’re simply not a serious threat to win big games without Alt and Mack in my opinion.
Thanks Blue Beers
I agree we should continue to acknowledge some of the key injuries.
The disappointing aspect of this loss for me though were the things that were controllable and had nothing to do with injuries: Pre-snap penalties, Offensive playcalling in the second half, and Defensive scheme adjustments in the second half (or lack thereof). Shot themselves in the foot.
Thankfully the schedule is reasonably kind these next couple of games: Commanders (with a potentially physically limited Jayden Daniels) & the Dolphins.
Hopefully at least one of those most important players is back by the Colts game.
Yes agreed. It was a frustrating loss that they still had a chance to win despite everything. They were very sloppy in all three phases.
My comment was geared more towards being unable to beat better teams without key players. Teams like the Giants should still be beatable just because of Herbert and a good defense.
Here are the All-22 Clips from the Giants game I posted to X:
Clip 1:
Clip 2:
Clip 3:
Clip 4:
Clip 5:
Clip 6: https://x.com/TDU_Chargers/status/1973214019646529813
Clip 7: https://x.com/TDU_Chargers/status/1973215604955082862
Clip 8: https://x.com/TDU_Chargers/status/1973224760650899534
Clip 9: https://x.com/TDU_Chargers/status/1973242384499847314
Clip 10: https://x.com/TDU_Chargers/status/1973204933492220054
Clip 11: https://x.com/TDU_Chargers/status/1973258140507578435