The Los Angeles Chargers are back in the playoffs in their first year under Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz’s leadership!
Ryan Watkins has done an amazing job breaking down the scouting reports on both sides of the ball this week. In case you missed it, here is his in-depth look at how the Bolts’ offense will fare against the Texan’s defense, and how Jesse Minter’s defense can gain an edge against Houston’s offense.
In the final injury report, we learned that Joshua Palmer will be OUT for the Bolts (and later saw Ja’Sir Taylor moved to the IR), and Shaq Mason OUT for the Texans. A handful of other players on each side had some “Questionable” tags, but no “Doubtfuls.”
This has been one heck of a season with all of you, and I’m excited to be tuned in to catch this playoff game with you all. Let’s get excited and enjoy some Chargers playoff football!
QB is the difference right now. Stroud is being helped by the play calling and is rising to the occasion. Herbert is faltering and getting absolutely no help from anyone outside of Ladd.
OC is the difference?
Definitely. But Herbert has the talent and the authority to make this better despite that idiot Roman.
It sure isn’t helping but Herbert has to be better
Faltering doesn’t describe it. He’s turning in a clunker when it really matters.
Please Herbert remember to scramble next drive
It feels like the Chargers really are allergic to any kind of momentum on offense today
Tomorrow we can ask whether that was on Roman’s play call or Q’s inability to get deep enough. For now, the D needs to do it (yet) again.
Making QJ primary on that critical down is definitely on Roman. Need to go to Dobbins or Ladd there.
Agreed. Q is finding his footing. Lassiter knows who he is.
I love that they went for it. The play call was weird.
Agree. Two bad play calls in a row.
Yep.
Another fuckin horrible play call by Roman
And a second horrible call by Roman. Throwing to QJ short of the sticks. Fucking horrible
If the Chargers lose this game, I will not be screaming for Roman’s head on a spike.
Everyone else will be.
Wow, Tony Jefferson makes a play!!!
Momentum shift???
They needed that so badly
Hell of a olay!
(Baby) Boomer Sooner!!!!!
173 yards in the 2nd quarter is not good enough for this defense.
Looks like Jim is limping.
Second half adjustments:
Defense: do what you’re doing. You’re a broken play away from pitching a shutout. Bottle up Mixon, bracket Collins.
Offense: Herbert, don’t be a hero. If you have five yards of grass in front of you, take it. Roman, keep everything over the middle. Keep Lassiter and Stingley behind your receivers. Pound the rock. Take a shot or two on play action. Get Dissly and Smartt involved.
Yes please!
And now Davis is down. This all really looks like the complete unraveling that the Chargers have been famous for in the past.. They look defeated.
Halftime could not have come at a better moment. Let’s hope they can regroup.
And now DD is hurt. Just terrific.
and the half ends with Davis getting his knee blown out… Perfect.
Wow, fitting end to the half. Davis out.
OK – so the Texans are going to score 10 unanswered points and getting the ball after the half?
Feels like this game could be over in the middle of the 3rd quarter.
Ouch. I hear you, Arne, but have faith. The last forty years of Chargers football notwithstanding, have faith.
I will be here until the hopefully not too bitter end.
It should have been over after the first quarter. But, if the Jag playoff game teaches us, nothing’s over until it’s over.
Let’s see how this team responds after the half.
Half time can’t come quick enough
That sure seemed kinda catchable for QJ. A tough catch obviously but still. We will need some exceptional plays to get back into this game
He’s having a bad game thus far
Our lack of receivers is really manifesting itself. And Herbert has been decidedly mediodre.
Yeah. I can already hear the narrative about him regarding his playoff performance 🙁
He’s not having a good game. In his defense, Roman & staff are not having a good game either.
Herbert has had three or four chances to run for plus yardage, but he’s been reluctant to. That should change in the second, especially after that run by Stroud.
Yeah, we definitely need scramble Herbert!
Herbert now very cold. Very big swing in momentum.
Time for the expensive coaching staff to show rise up.
Plus side of this garbage is it could actually be a catalyst to get rid of Greg Roman.
I agree. I don’t see Roman back if they flame out in the wild card round.
I was on the fence about Roman and this game is pushing me to the “fire Roman" side of the fence.
That said, the defense is getting carved up in the 2 minute drill.
A 99-yard drive for an offense that looked like poop for 25 minutes. Damn.
At least they needed some calls and straight up dumb luck
Uncalled grounding and a broken play. Crazy.
And now the Texans defense is fired up
Damn it. Fulton played that expecting help over the middle immediately
Gilman was flat-footed for some reason. He’s better than that.
How the HELL did that play not get reveiwed?
Yeah they seem to be going over everything pro Texas pretty quickly
As Arne said, they should have at least let it play out.
How lucky are these Texans
Come on refs. Let that play out
Lucky > good once again.
Unbelievable
Ow ffs. No we really lost momentum. This does not feel good, especially with the Texans getting the ball first in the 2nd half
Holy sh*t
What… The…. Actual…. Fuck???
Not helping my dry January….
I took a pause on that endeavor today.
Is that Mahomes wearing a Stroud wig?
Wtf how was that not holding on Tart?
At least hands to the face on Tart
Nothing super blatant but refs are not very pro Chargers so far
Bosa missed the tackle.
That was grounding, and it wasn’t close.
Yeah it feels like if they give the QB all the benefit of the doubt to determine if he was behind the line of scrimmage then they should use the same logic for intentional grounding
Texan’s first 3rd down conversion.
Very close call.
Intentional grounding!
Oof that was so close
I hope this is our typical “bad half", and turn it on after halftime.
Welcome, Glenn!!! Thanks for posting, keep it up!
Like to see a safety here. We really might need those 2 points.
My thoughts exactly
Texans doing a good job of pushing the middle of the pocket.
Good game planning. Exploit the weakness.
Roman needs to adjust. Seen some roll-outs, Need to counter.
Deane Leonard, first half MVP.
Would a safety be too much too ask of this defense?
Derwin?
Thank god the Texans are not bracketing Ladd….
Roman needs to keep this game inside the hashes. Texans D is too good in the outside.
At least not throw it in Lassiter’s direction….
Or Stingley’s 🙂
The pitch-and-catch over the middle has been working. And, yes, absolutely, avoid Lassiter.
Fucking stupid play calling.
Time for the offense to take control. Chargers dominating everywhere but the scoreboard.
Defense is… but I don’t think the offense is dominating yet
Make. Them. Pay.
Houston fans are booing. Let’s give the something to boo about, Justin, Greg, et al.
Bosa making an impact. When Bosa and Mack are on the field, Stroud has very little time.
Mack!!!!!
Bosa and Mack playing well. Surprised to see so much Dupree/Tuli early (maybe Minter is saving them to close out the game?).
That’s my guess. The great news is that Mixon has had no room. 3 carries, six yards, so far. If it becomes a Stroud game, it’ll be nice to have a fresh Bosa/Mack.
Gilman playing
Collins has one catch in 19 minutes. More of that, please.