2022 Official Chargers Season Discussion

[sonorajim]

Close games can always go either way in the NFL. That’s why point differential is a key factor in determining success versus being lucky.

I agree. I know everybody is good and this is the NFL but an advantage can be obtained by restricting opponent scoring, thereby avoiding the need for last minute heroics. We should have a points advantage and a strong D going into the 4th in a majority of games.

[blueman]

The 2021 team will not be playing this year. Last year proves it's hard to win NFL games with a # 30 D, #31 Special Teams.
The odds are good that we'll be significantly improved to avg or better in those areas. Add a top 5 or better O ( which is a lock) we'll be in the playoffs.

Squad rankings don’t tell the tale of the tail. Go back and watch those losses, we had opportunities but did not cash in. Setting aside the D, I too hope year two in Lombardi’s system + new players in a few key positions makes a difference.

[blueman]

I agree. I know everybody is good and this is the NFL but an advantage can be obtained by restricting opponent scoring, thereby avoiding the need for last minute heroics. We should have a points advantage and a strong D going into the 4th in a majority of games.

Tell that to the Rams (or any team that advanced in the playoffs, close games are a fact of life in the NFL especially between closely matched teams).

[sonorajim]

Tell that to the Rams (or any team that advanced in the playoffs, close games are a fact of life in the NFL especially between closely matched teams).

Did you notice that when the 2021 Rams allowed 25 or more points they were 0-4 in reg season, They did pull one out in postseason but allowed an avg 16 pts to opponents the other 3 PO games. D was a huge factor in LARs wins.

[dmac_bolt]

Squad rankings don’t tell the tale of the tail. Go back and watch those losses, we had opportunities but did not cash in. Setting aside the D, I too hope year two in Lombardi’s system + new players in a few key positions makes a difference.

The hell they didn’t. Our defense was the weak link all year long. We lost the KC game because the defense folded like a cheap lawn chair at the end of the game with Kelce running wild. We lost the Oak game because the defense was like a napkin folded twice. We lost the HOU game because the defense got trucked up and down the field all day long. Every game we lost, the defense did not play well. Many games we lost the offense did. The offense additionally won games the defense did not play well in. It was absolutely no doubt not a shred of data to the contrary the defense that kept us from the playoffs.

you’re absolutely insane to see the opposite

[electricgold]

Tell that to the Rams (or any team that advanced in the playoffs, close games are a fact of life in the NFL especially between closely matched teams).

...And this is why the better coached team usually wins these games, and the better coached teams are usually the champion in the end. The Rams had a better coach than cincy, and the better coached team won. This is why if Brandon Staley and his staff doesn't have the right stuff it won't matter we'll get beat by the teams like the texans, raiders with a rent a coach, etc. and miss out on the playoffs ETC. A lot of teams in the past tried to sign a bunch of free agents etc. and thought they were going to be a winner, but this hasn't really worked if you look at the history in the league.

This Chargers team is going to have to be an exception to this notion, that you can sign a bunch a free agents and think you are all of sudden a playoff champion team. Its going to have to be earned through effort, not positive words. Period.

[eaterfan]

...And this is why the better coached team usually wins these games, and the better coached teams are usually the champion in the end. The Rams had a better coach than cincy, and the better coached team won. This is why if Brandon Staley and his staff doesn't have the right stuff it won't matter we'll get beat by the teams like the texans, raiders with a rent a coach, etc. and miss out on the playoffs ETC. A lot of teams in the past tried to sign a bunch of free agents etc. and thought they were going to be a winner, but this hasn't really worked if you look at the history in the league.

This Chargers team is going to have to be an exception to this notion, that you can sign a bunch a free agents and think you are all of sudden a playoff champion team. Its going to have to be earned through effort, not positive words. Period.

I think you have the cause and effect reversed. The team that wins usually has the better coach. Do you think Zach Taylor is a better coach than Andy Reid? It's weird how Billicheck always won the close games with Brady and Arians couldn't until he got Brady. Andy Reid couldn't win the big one until he got Mahommes. I think we ascribe good coaching to good results most of the time.

Close games can go either way and it just depends on a bounce or two. Coaching makes a difference, players make a difference, but in a close game so much is just plain luck. I think a key strategy is to avoid close games when possible. Don't get too conservative and put too much on the defense too early. That was a classic Anthony Lynn move. We should have had so many games that were 10-14 point wins and turned into 1-2 point wins or losses because he coached to win close games instead of winning blowouts. All teams will have close games in the playoffs, but playing to win the games instead of not losing them will keep you out of close games and unnecessary losses in the regular season and get us into the playoffs.

[powderblueboy]

I'd put it simpler: a team that has more tools in the tool box and better depth is more likely to win close games.
If you depend on your passing game, with a leaky right side and not much else to win close games.....that passing games margin of error has to be real small.

Charger weaknesses last year:

1. running the football
2. pass protection from the right side
3. defending the run
4. rushing the passer
5. defending the pass and getting off the field
6. kicking field goals (until later in season)
7. special teams (until later in season)
8. over all depth

[chargeroo]

...And this is why the better coached team usually wins these games, and the better coached teams are usually the champion in the end. The Rams had a better coach than cincy, and the better coached team won. This is why if Brandon Staley and his staff doesn't have the right stuff it won't matter we'll get beat by the teams like the texans, raiders with a rent a coach, etc. and miss out on the playoffs ETC. A lot of teams in the past tried to sign a bunch of free agents etc. and thought they were going to be a winner, but this hasn't really worked if you look at the history in the league.

This Chargers team is going to have to be an exception to this notion, that you can sign a bunch a free agents and think you are all of sudden a playoff champion team. Its going to have to be earned through effort, not positive words. Period.

Really? Where were you when the Bucs added free agents and went from a mediocre team to a SB winner. Where were you when the Rams did the same thing?

[blueman]

The hell they didn’t. Our defense was the weak link all year long. We lost the KC game because the defense folded like a cheap lawn chair at the end of the game with Kelce running wild. We lost the Oak game because the defense was like a napkin folded twice. We lost the HOU game because the defense got trucked up and down the field all day long. Every game we lost, the defense did not play well. Many games we lost the offense did. The offense additionally won games the defense did not play well in. It was absolutely no doubt not a shred of data to the contrary the defense that kept us from the playoffs.

you’re absolutely insane to see the opposite

Not arguing against the D being very very bad. Just don’t get why it’s heresy to say the O failed us in a couple games they had the chance to win. Both can be true, and were true last season. Happens. And looking ahead, I expect every divisional game to go to the wire; really really hope the slightly new and improved O can do better than 50% in those games, they will need to or no playoffs. Just like our vastly improved D will need to do epically better to give the O a chance.

[electricgold]

I think you have the cause and effect reversed. The team that wins usually has the better coach. Do you think Zach Taylor is a better coach than Andy Reid? It's weird how Billicheck always won the close games with Brady and Arians couldn't until he got Brady. Andy Reid couldn't win the big one until he got Mahommes. I think we ascribe good coaching to good results most of the time.

Close games can go either way and it just depends on a bounce or two. Coaching makes a difference, players make a difference, but in a close game so much is just plain luck. I think a key strategy is to avoid close games when possible. Don't get too conservative and put too much on the defense too early. That was a classic Anthony Lynn move. We should have had so many games that were 10-14 point wins and turned into 1-2 point wins or losses because he coached to win close games instead of winning blowouts. All teams will have close games in the playoffs, but playing to win the games instead of not losing them will keep you out of close games and unnecessary losses in the regular season and get us into the playoffs.

You need both. A good coach and great players usually wins it all. This year the Rams beat the bengals in the bowl. The better coach won, I would say its close but the bengals had the better QB!

[electricgold]

Really? Where were you when the Bucs added free agents and went from a mediocre team to a SB winner. Where were you when the Rams did the same thing?

Right so the Chargers should do the exact same because we have a GREAT HC and we have star players, so since we have both the playoffs are our destiny. . .

PS both those teams you mentioned had great HC's therefore, if we don't make the playoffs this year our HC and his staff doesn't have the right stuff.