Good Afternoon Stormcloud!
The Los Angeles Chargers can secure their place in the playoffs with a win over the New England Patriots on a rare Saturday game in Foxborough. Jim Harbaugh’s band of merry men can celebrate the festive season by gifting fans with the first post season action since 2022 and launch the campaign for the first playoff win since the 2018 season.
The Patriots season has been over for some time now as they sit at 3-12, as it stands this would give them the second overall pick in the draft next spring and whilst rookie head coach Jerod Mayo could try and push for a late season morale boosting win, this doesn’t seem to be in their best interests considering they now have their quarterback for the future which means their clock is running on making the most of his rookie contract.
The injury report (above) and corresponding roster moves (in this link) make this a bit more difficult for the Bolts. It seems as if Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins are switching places between the starting role and the sideline as Gus has been ruled out but according to reports Dobbins, who has been out since Week 12, is ready to suit up.
The elevation of two safeties, including new signing Eddie Jackson, could spell trouble for the status of Elijah Molden’s health. Although he has been declared as active he could be on a snap limit.
Sound off in the comments, StormCloud… how are you feeling about this game?!
Follow along with the whole community on this thread!
Should we have beaten the Patriots at 3-12? Yes….and we did. We’ve lost some tough games to good teams. That shows there’s still plenty of room for improvement. But we’ve taken care of business, beaten the teams we should, and made the playoffs. Tremendous turnaround from last year.
Of note….perhaps some of the improved OL play was due to Salyer over Pipkins? Just a thought.
Now it’s Raiders week.
Family.
Trust.
Respect.
Let’s go get win #11 and that 5th seed.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6024031/2024/12/28/chargers-clinch-playoffs-jim-harbaugh/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983&userId=12566676
Lots of melt-downs on MHR. A few of my favorite:
A few thoughts on the Broncos:
While the Raiders continue to shit the bed (and looking like they’re headed to a 2023 Chargers-level crash), the 2024 Broncos seem to have charted a path towards mediocrity, slightly above the Telesco-era Chargers (which were elevated due to elite QB play). Next year will be year-3 of Payton in Denver. Will be interesting to see how that pivotal year goes for them. Barring an amazing draft yielding multiple playmakers on both sides of the ball, 2025 will be another 8-10 win season. At that point, both Payton and the Broncos will need to figure out if they’re on the right path.
Yes please!!!
YAY Bengals!!!
This was a great game for building momentum heading into the playoffs. The Chargers need to deliver a similar ass-kicking to a QB-needy Raider team and roll into the playoffs. The Chargers and Raiders are teams headed in opposite directions – will be interesting to see how much different this game looks compared to the 2023 game (that got Staley fired).
Ideally, the starters get reps, the backups close out the game, and a healthy Chargers squad rolls into the playoffs as the 5th seed.
I love this version of the Chargers that just takes care of business. Now let’s root for the Bengals. A playoff game in Baltimore feels like a tall task at the moment but let’s see what happens!
Justin….281 for 3 TDs, 116.2 QBR
Good hang, guys. Happy New Year!!
Same to you Buck.
In Melbourne visiting my wife’s family for the holidays. Will see if I can fine time to meet the TDU crew.
Outstanding!! Safe travels, buddy.
That would be awesome. Send them my regards if you catch up with them! 🙂
Til next week. FTR.
That’s a wrap, fellas.
Playoffs bound….suck on that, TT and Staley.