We heard your call for more content #TDUCrew!
We’ve introduced a second piece of weekly content covering the Bolts’ upcoming opponent.
#BoltUp! At 0-4, the Chargers return home to SoFi Stadium for a high-stakes AFC West clash against Sean Payton, Bo Nix, and the 2-2 Denver Broncos. With an Offensive Line decimated by injuries and facing Vance Joseph’s aggressive pressure scheme, can Mike McDaniel and Justin Herbert find answers to save their season? Today on Thunder Down Under Chargers, we break down the path to victory. What we cover today:
🚨 The Central Tension: Can a beat-up Chargers Offensive Line hold up against Denver’s top-tier blitzing Defense to give Herbert time, and can LA exploit the Broncos’ 31st-ranked run defense?
⚔️ Nix & Payton vs. Justin & McDaniel: Dissecting two struggling Offenses, Bo Nix’s short-game rhythm, and how Chris O’Leary’s Defense can force Denver into mistakes.
🚑 Injury Reality Check: Analysing the massive availability watch list—including Rashawn Slater, Joe Alt, Trevor Penning, Derwin James, Donte Jackson, and Ladd McConkey—and how a rookie-heavy O-line alters the play-calling.
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Hope you enjoy the episode! Thanks so much for listening 🙂
Alister (@TDU_Alister)
Long time team fan, podcaster (with Thunder Down Under Chargers Podcast), husband to a beautiful wife, friend to all fellow Chargers fanatics, and father-to-be!
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Game plan needs to be heavily adjusted due to O-line issues. It’s imperative that they protect Herbert.
* Heavy play action, under center on first down. Throw a bunch on first down.
* Heavy dose RB draws, QB draws, screens.
* Move the pocket.
* Chip the edge rushers.
* Max protect.
* Run the football, just minimally on first down.
* Catch the damn ball.
I have no faith that in week 5 MM is going to change up the calls to meet his personnel. Get ready for Tre Harris end arounds and Mitchell to the edges. Denver’s DL is probably licking their chops. Now QJ is out and Ladd will be limping around. If I’m Denver I stack the box and force the Chargers into 2nd and 3rd and longs. Dare them to beat me with the pass while protecting with a PS level OL and 3rd and 4th string WR that are now starters. This could be a bloodbath.
I just hope it’s not Herbert’s blood.
Listened to the show today. I think the biggest mismatch in this game is the Denver DL vs our OL. As you guys mentioned the OL is very inexperienced and I’m sure their heads will be swimming all game. I’m not sure there is much MM can do to combat this with scheme. There’s no playbook that can protect from immediate pressure as we have seen from the starters already. They are missing Surtain and maybe Moss on D, but pressure can help the secondary. Unless we can ground and pound with the running game, this could get ugly and get ugly quick. This is also probably the last stand for the players to not give up on the season especially with a trip to Arrowhead looming and of course Payton takes back the play calling just in time. We can all hope for the best, but I can’t see a W here, but stranger things have happened.