Chargers @ Falcons Pre Game Thread (Week 9)

[Charge!]

couple of fluke wins against bad teams.

still don't believe in this team yet.

true!.....

we have barely lost or barely beaten very bad teams with bad QB's.... our defense cannot stop the run and makes bad QB's look like pro bowlers....

[electricgold]

Arthur Smith is likely to scheme this defense to pieces. Mariota doesn't throw often, but Smith is really good at scheming up big plays when he does throw. It's gonna be difficult to stop them. We better be able to run the ball effectively. If not it has all the makings of a blowout in Atlanta's favor IMO.

If Ek plays like he played the other game and can run the ball coupled with Herbert having a high percentage we win easy, as long as the D plays tough.

This game is going to be a good measuring stick to see where we are at as a team going into the halfway point of the season. We really can't afford to lose more than 3 or 4 games going forward to think we have a realistic chance at being in the playoffs.

[Berserker76]

The Falcons are beatable, IF we play ball-control and keep their running attack minimized (i.e., off the field). Surely the offense can scheme some screens and sweeps that don't require a few minutes to develop. Oh, maybe have Herbert roll-out a little more? This is more natural for him (injuries and all). Bolt up!

[Topcat]

The Falcons are beatable, IF we play ball-control and keep their running attack minimized (i.e., off the field). Surely the offense can scheme some screens and sweeps that don't require a few minutes to develop. Oh, maybe have Herbert roll-out a little more? This is more natural for him (injuries and all). Bolt up!

That's a mighty big "IF"...

[Berserker76]

That's a mighty big "IF"...

I know, I know, just trying to generate some positive karma.

[jubei]

We've been bad against the run but that's in some part due to our entire defensive philosophy being to sell out to stop big plays at the expense of modest gains on the ground (not that we've done an awesome job of acting out this philosophy). Against a team as one-dimensional on offense as these Falcons, I think we change things up a bit. If Terrell doesn't play, this defense is very beatable through the air even with our banged up receiving options. If Terrell does play, we might have to win in a slug fest.

the thing is even though the D is geared to prevent the big plays they're still giving up big plays on the ground.

[jamrock]

Atlanta will run the ball. Staley like to play 5 DB's most of the time. You do the math.

Yes, he doesn’t value LBs and that has been our Achilles heel on defense all season. He missed the boat crafting a defense to stop the big pass play when our schedule this year and more of the nfl in general is getting back to running the ball.

[Caslon]

“Testing…4 and 3, testing 4 and 3. This is only a test, I repeat…this is only a test.” “That is all.”

[jubei]

“Testing…4 and 3, testing 4 and 3. This is only a test, I repeat…this is only a test.” “That is all.”

so if not testing, in production, will it be 4 and 6? so in the end 8 and 9?

[Bolt4Knob]

Yes, he doesn’t value LBs and that has been our Achilles heel on defense all season. He missed the boat crafting a defense to stop the big pass play when our schedule this year and more of the nfl in general is getting back to running the ball.

If he still plays 5 DBs and they run all over the Chargers - thats just bad scheme design

I say make Mariota beat you playing a more normal 4-3-4 defense since they do like to run the ball

Its not complicated - you have to stop the Falcons from running the ball first

[jubei]

If he still plays 5 DBs and they run all over the Chargers - thats just bad scheme design

I say make Mariota beat you playing a more normal 4-3-4 defense since they do like to run the ball

Its not complicated - you have to stop the Falcons from running the ball first

Let's see if his D guru'ness will surface for just a bit. so far in his tenure I have not seen any bit of it. the faiders got skunked out by the saints, and the turds almost beat us.

[Lone Bolt]

Soon...hopefully this game, if the ribs are good, Herbert needs to start scrambling for yards...these dbacks and lbs in coverage never have to worry about him turning it upfield. That needs to change. Couple of big runs, and the opposing defense is gonna have to respect that possibility on pass plays...which puts pressure not only on the lbs and secondary, but also checks a blind pass rush...

We need to stop locking our QB in the pocket, and limiting him to checkdowns other teams are wanting him to make. Take the scrambling and off script plays out of Josh Allen and Mahomes' games, and they arent near the QBs....we need that same element in this offense, and Herbert has the ability.