Chargers at Colts Game Day Thread | Post Game Reaction (Wk 16)

[Bolt-O]

They’re not entirely meaningless especially with regards to seeding and keeping players from being rusty. If we get Bosa and Slater back before the end, it would be nice for them to get some live competition snaps.

My guess is the Rams game will be played like normal, and the Broncos game will only have starters in the first half. But I do think winning is a habit. I don't like the idea of sitting starters for two games, and they do need to get ready for cold weather games ... where ever.

[WindsorUK]

My guess is the Rams game will be played like normal, and the Broncos game will only have starters in the first half. But I do think winning is a habit. I don't like the idea of sitting starters for two games, and they do need to get ready for cold weather games ... where ever.

We've got a winner!
No way in H**L do you sit anyone healthy enough to play. Maybe rotate guys more often but this aint the NBA.....no such thing as load management in the NFL.

[wu-dai clan]

I see key improvements in run blocking, as a unit, building off the return and steady presence of Linsley.

There needs to be a shout out to Feiler, Zion, Pipkins and McKitty.

[richpjr]

They'll get better marginally ..... which is the same as not much.

They had trouble moving the ball and scoring against a bad Colts defense with the benefit of 3 turnovers and great field position all game.
How much would Slater have changed tonight's performance? Kwitty Paye had a quiet game.

They couldn't do much against a decimated Titans D last week.

If your offense is not confusing anyone, bringing back Slater will not make much difference.

If the D lets Buffalo, Cincy or KC score more than 20 points, they'll lose in January.

If your LT gives up 75% of the 8 pressures allowed by the line in a game, I think we can count on more than a marginal improvement...

[dmac_bolt]

My guess is the Rams game will be played like normal, and the Broncos game will only have starters in the first half. But I do think winning is a habit. I don't like the idea of sitting starters for two games, and they do need to get ready for cold weather games ... where ever.

Its normal and advisable for teams that clinch a playoff spot to sit and preserve their best players most coaches do it because it is the wise thing to do. They just played 15 games, they will not be rusty. The much more important goal is guaranteeing they are available.

I think you’re right on Rams vs Bronco games. Coaches usually don’t sit players for 2, 3, 4 ,5 games if they clinch way early. As to the Bosa and Slater specific discussed above - I sit Bosa until playoffs now and I play Slater for one half if he is back for the Denver game. Bosa is not new, he doesnt need a handful of practice snaps at the risk of re-injury, he’s played thousands of snaps in his career. He’s got superior technique and edge is individual an instinctual. He is not going to become a better player with 30 or 50 more live snaps. I also sit Mack now, he’s an old vet who ground out the first 15 long games and will benefit from body recovery time plus eliminate risk of injury. Having the pair of them is KEY when we face the elite passing teams in the playoffs

Slater, in contrast, will benefit from re-coordination with the rest of OL as they need to play as a single cohesive unit.

[WindsorUK]

What's the rule for a player who gets 2 unsportsmanlike conduct penalties? Is that what he got bounced for? Or was it leading with the crown of his helmet( which he did...dumb a**! Guy spends a lot of time on the sideline as it is. Don't need him knocking himself out!)

[richpjr]

What's the rule for a player who gets 2 unsportsmanlike conduct penalties? Is that what he got bounced for? Or was it leading with the crown of his helmet( which he did...dumb a**! Guy spends a lot of time on the sideline as it is. Don't need him knocking himself out!)

He got bounced for the hit. A facemask is not an unsportsman like penalty. He was wobbly himself so hopefully he won't miss any time from a concussion.

[WindsorUK]

He got bounced for the hit. A facemask is not an unsportsman like penalty. He was wobbly himself so hopefully he won't miss any time from a concussion.

Cheers Rich.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

Don't agree. Derwin had the pressure on the QB to force the first INT and made the 2nd INT on a great play. Alohi has improved a lot but he isn't Derwin.

Alohi is a serviceable, versatile player who doesn't make many mistakes. But anyone who favorably compares him with Derwin is smoking crack.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

Raiders are officially "past history" and no longer a factor this season.

I saw a graphic that said the Raiders still have a 1% chance of making the postseason. hahahahaa

[Xenos]

Even if slater returns it’s not going to change the way lombo is calling plays and just the design of the plays we’re running is so chicken shit, he doesn’t know how to get running efficiency from good backs and decent O-line…if lombo had All-pros at every position he would still suck…

I feel like the play calling and design was better with Slater in the lineup last year than this year without him.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

Props to Derwin regardless. That hit was technically legal (at least the first point of contact to the shoulder area), and it harkens back to the days of 70s-90s football. Derwin appeared to be more amped for this game than I can remember -- more than likely him seeing the physical and aggressive play of the defense without him rubbed off on him, and he came to lay the wood. Brief shots of him out there before the ejection, you can really see he wanted to put his hands on someone today.

Derwin's hit was BRUTAL. And perfectly legal, as far as I could tell. His helmet made contact with the opponent's shoulder, and then slid to the guy's chin.

I wouldn't be getting up for a week after taking that hit.