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We've just released Episode 1212of the Thunder Down Under Chargers Podcast.
Our synopsis is below:
The Chargers walked into Allegiant Stadium on MNF Football and waltzed away with an early 2-0 lead in the AFC West standings beating the home team Raiders 20-9 in a comfortable victory. The win was a whole team effort, but Coach Harbaugh singled out praise for Derwin James in his press conference, labelling him the ‘best safety he’s even seen in the history of the National Football League” after his stellar performance. Bolts fans know that Pete Carroll will be looking for his revenge later in the season, but for now #TDUCrew revel in the moment and enjoy this Raiderssssss Week Victory Pod. Don’t miss it!
You can also listen on Spotify below (or download on audio wherever you like to listen to podcasts):
As always, you can support us by doing any or all of the following:
- Rec'ing this post and leaving any thoughts/feedback you have in the comments section below.
- Following us on Twitter (and 'liking' our tweets) at @TDU_Chargers, or individually, at @TDU_Alister, @TDU_Jack and @TDU_Andy.
- 'Subscribing' to our YouTube channel, clicking the 'Like' button for today's episode, and engaging with us in the comments section.
- Giving us a rating and leaving a review on the Thunder Down Under Podcast page on Apple Podcasts (and 'subscribing').
- Spreading the good word to all of your awesome Chargers friends and family and encouraging them to listen to our show (and engage with us on social media).
Hope you enjoy the episode! Thanks so much for listening 
Alister (@TDU_Alister)
Here's a collection of the Coach's Film clips I thought were most interesting from the Raiders game:
Clip #1: https://twitter.com/TDU_Chargers/status/1968425545735057441
Clip #2: https://twitter.com/TDU_Chargers/status/1968427920143380578
Clip #3: https://twitter.com/TDU_Chargers/status/1968431148054499755
Clip #4: https://twitter.com/TDU_Chargers/status/1968432192553365735
Clip #5: https://twitter.com/TDU_Chargers/status/1968435573825372261
Clip #6: https://twitter.com/TDU_Chargers/status/1968496270382669862
Clip #7: https://twitter.com/TDU_Chargers/status/1968498357367881899
Clip #8: https://twitter.com/TDU_Chargers/status/1968440242870042773
Clip #9: https://twitter.com/TDU_Chargers/status/1968545057247526937
Clip #10: https://twitter.com/TDU_Chargers/status/1968490334109012268
Clip #11: https://twitter.com/TDU_Chargers/status/1968542433286963656
Clip #12: https://twitter.com/TDU_Chargers/status/1968555806368088560
Another good show.
Al, don't you have a jersey other than Bosa's? 😉
I agree with the idea of trading for Hendrickson, though I suspect the Bengals aren't ready for that yet. If it happened this week, the Chargers would be responsible for $13.3M of his 2025 salary, and they would have to make cap moves like extending him and/or restructuring other players like Herbert or James.
Waiting another month would lower that hit under $10M, and it could also allow the Bengals to endure a losing streak that would make them give up on the season and decide to trade Hendrickson.
I am in favor of doing this if the Bengals are interested. That said, I don't expect the Chargers to do it... I don't expect that kind of all in move from Hortiz.
Jack was Captain Obvious by saying the running game won't be as good without Slater. 🙂
As discussed last week and as Al mentioned, I still think the Chargers need to find a way to get Fisk active, which could make a serious positive impact in the running game.
Al brought up making Gadsden active, but I just can't see it. I think Fisk is more important, and I can't see how they could possibly make both of them active unless there is a reason to make Dissly and/or Conklin inactive.
My prediction is that the running game is going to naturally improve over the next few weeks. Hampton is a rookie gaining experience and getting comfortable with NFL speed and physicality. Harris is a veteran who is ramping up to full workload capability. I assume they will get Fisk active. The OL could gel with more snaps together with everyone in their current positions. I would like to believe the team will reach a point later this season where it can win by going super run heavy when matchups dictate, or by going super pass heavy, as we have already seen.
Agree with Al on the 4th down decision making. Hard to reconcile, and it is concerning that it could cost the team a game at some point.
With regard to Denver, I think they are a bit overrated, including on defense. The Chargers defense should be able to limit the Denver offense... I would think to fewer than 21 points. And it is hard for me to believe Denver could hold the Chargers to fewer than 21 points. I'm expecting a win. 3-0 baby!!!
Al, "quietly rooting for the Bills until they play the Chargers"...? I have to disagree here... they are one of the biggest threats to the Chargers for capturing a high playoff seed.
Thanks Brian!
On Jerseys, well observed 😆 I own Rivers and Bosa jerseys and that is all. As soon as the cost of groceries go down it's time for me to upgrade and modernise 😊
On Hendrickson, I read your detailed conversation on the other thread about the $13.3m cost. I hate misleading listeners. I accidentally had OverTheCap toggled on "Trade (post-June 1)" while recording so unfortunately reported an incorrect $9.5m figure (Bengals cap savings if made before the season) on the show. Thanks for clarifying. There are a few reasons then why we shouldn't expect a move like that to happen for at least another month. I would support it if it happens like you.
I can't see Gadsden being made active either even though I think he's really the only TE on the roster whose skillset is even close to replicating Tyler Warren's. Conklin will suffice and hopefully can win those match-ups against the Broncos' LBs. I see this morning that Dissly's OUT and, like you, I expect Fisk to get the call-up.
Totally agree on your comments about the run game and becoming a versatile Offense. Jack made a similar point and I thought it was a good one.
On the fourth downs, we had a listener challenge me and suggest that Harbaugh's 4th & 1 "go for it" decision made sense because the Chargers Defense had just been on the field for a 20-play drive and needed the rest. It was an interesting thought. First, I would be surprised if Harbaugh actually considered that in his decision-making process. But beneficially assuming he did, I still think I'd rather trust a tired Defense with the Raiders pinned back inside their 20. It was something I hadn't considered though.
3-0 coming right up!!!
On the fourth downs, we had a listener challenge me and suggest that Harbaugh’s 4th & 1 “go for it” decision made sense because the Chargers Defense had just been on the field for a 20-play drive and needed the rest. It was an interesting thought. First, I would be surprised if Harbaugh actually considered that in his decision-making process. But beneficially assuming he did, I still think I’d rather trust a tired Defense with the Raiders pinned back inside their 20. It was something I hadn’t considered though.
I put zero credence in the defense being tired. I think it is one of the biggest fallacies that gets regularly mentioned by media members.
The Raiders ran 20 plays on that drive (excluding the field goal), which burned a total of 11:03 off the clock. But consider:
What does each play take on average, 6 seconds? Let's be charitable and say 8 seconds. That means the actual plays took 160 seconds = 2:40 of that 11:03. So players got to rest for 8:23 of that clock time between plays.They got additional rest time not captured in the clock time after 4 incompletions and the full break between the 3rd and 4th quarters. The defense clearly rotated players on the drive. Without resorting to the all 22 to figure out the total number, I can see that the play by play identifies 17 Chargers defenders as defending passes, making tackles, or committing a penalty.
These are high level athletes. There is no reason for that to even factor into the decision IMO.
The worst thing about the decision wasn't the decision to go for it, it was the horrendous play call. The Chargers should stop giving Derius Davis snaps on offense at the expense of other players who all merit snaps ahead of him.
The Chargers should stop giving Derius Davis snaps on offense at the expense of other players who all merit snaps ahead of him.
This is absolutely correct. If you actually want to run that play, fake the jet sweep and have Davis run a go. They did that once last year and Davis caught a TD pass (that was sadly called back due to a hold).
And never run that play on fuckin 4th & short. You brought in Najee and Becton for a reason. Don't get cute. That situation was an opportunity to shove the ball right up their arse and instead they give the ball to the smallest dude on the team.
I can see that I should stop using bullets since they seem to vanish for some bizarre reason, leaving a bunch of jumbled text.
Good response, Tau.
The only part I struggle with before wholly discounting it is I think some of the media members who propagate it are ex-players.
It may be one of those things though that people widely believe whereas in reality the tangible effect is minimal.
Agree that the fewer end arounds we see on 4th down (whoever the ball carrier) the better. I think Herbert should’ve tucked it and followed Becton into the hole anyway based on the DE’s alignment. Hopefully we see better execution tomorrow!
JT O'Sullivan breaks down that play, and it is plainly obvious Herbert should have kept it like you said. At first, I wondered if Herbert was trying to pull it back but I can't tell that on the replays, so it looks like a bad read on his part in addition to Davis not securing the ball.
On Jerseys, well observed 😆 I own Rivers and Bosa jerseys and that is all. As soon as the cost of groceries go down it’s time for me to upgrade and modernise 😊
I have two Rivers jerseys (one navy, one powder blue), a Herbert jersey (powder blue), and a McConkey jersey (navy) that just arrived this week. I might break down and order an Allen jersey soon to round out my collection. ⚡
Listened to the podcast during an early fall morning round of golf. This is the time of year when Atlanta turns into San Diego for 4-6 weeks, so I spend as much time outdoors as possible. A few comments:
- Italy is a great country. Hope Andy enjoys it. Careful with Ryan. I've been in pubs where every beer comes with a whisky
- Completely agree with the defensive comments. Minter AND HIS STAFF have done a great job. Great schemes, great preparation. If Minter does get a HC gig, Jim needs to protect this staff.
- I noticed the same thing Jack did with the IDL. The bigger bodies are PUSHING the pocket back. They may not have great stats, but pushing the OL back into the QBs lap will make the rest of the defense better
- "He's in a town named Lombardi, nothing will be open." Thanks for making me fall down laughing in the middle of my golf round. The people I was playing with thought I was having a stroke.
- Trades: Like it or not, blockbuster trades are not in Hortiz/Harbaugh's DNA. I also don't think Cincy is going to give up on the season just yet.
- QJ is playing about how I expected him to. Good in space, not going to make the difficult catch. I agree with Al's point that he should not have more targets than Ladd. He also should not be targeted "have to have it" downs.
- Pipkins has exceeded my expectations. Crosby's splash plays were when Conklin was trying to block him. Bad play design by Roman.
Thanks Kev! Glad I could make you laugh on that one 😅
I think a beer with a whiskey is called a Boilermaker. Wish Andy luck later today with Ryan, he might need it!
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