1 00:00:04,680 --> 00:00:06,680 Speaker 1: All right, guys, before we get started today, a big 2 00:00:06,680 --> 00:00:10,280 Speaker 1: thank you to our partner, Microsoft Surface, celebrating ten years 3 00:00:10,320 --> 00:00:13,800 Speaker 1: of partnership with the NFL as the official laptop, tablet, 4 00:00:13,840 --> 00:00:17,919 Speaker 1: and sideline technology provider for the La Chargers. Microsoft Surface 5 00:00:17,960 --> 00:00:20,720 Speaker 1: provides players and coaches with the tools to succeed both 6 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:24,040 Speaker 1: on and off the field every day. Learn more about 7 00:00:24,079 --> 00:00:28,800 Speaker 1: Surface at surface dot com and welcome into a winning 8 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:32,560 Speaker 1: edition of The Final Drive as always, joined by Haley 9 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:37,559 Speaker 1: Elwood and Eric Smith, Senior Writer, Chargers Win thirty four 10 00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:41,080 Speaker 1: twenty four in Houston. If you were looking at the 11 00:00:41,120 --> 00:00:44,360 Speaker 1: first half, you were like, all right, this is domination, right. 12 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:47,600 Speaker 1: Second half got a little interesting, but a win is 13 00:00:47,600 --> 00:00:50,559 Speaker 1: a win in the NFL. Haley, I'll start with you, 14 00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:55,480 Speaker 1: just your overarching thoughts in this one. Yeah. I thought 15 00:00:55,520 --> 00:00:57,280 Speaker 1: this was a really good kind of get back game 16 00:00:57,360 --> 00:00:59,120 Speaker 1: for the Chargers. I know when we were on here 17 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:02,000 Speaker 1: last year I'm sorry last week sort of just kind 18 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:04,440 Speaker 1: of commiserating about what had happened in Week three. We 19 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:06,440 Speaker 1: were all interested in terms of how this team was 20 00:01:06,480 --> 00:01:09,160 Speaker 1: going to respond, and I think you saw that response 21 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:12,080 Speaker 1: certainly in that first half. I mean, shout out to 22 00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:14,720 Speaker 1: Danny Marcneau from Chargers Coms. I believe he texted me 23 00:01:14,760 --> 00:01:17,600 Speaker 1: that that twenty point lead at halftime was the largest 24 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:19,920 Speaker 1: halftime lead that they had had over a team since 25 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 1: twenty eighteen. And then you mention, it gets a little interesting, 26 00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:25,960 Speaker 1: as it kind of always does. But you know, I 27 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:28,000 Speaker 1: was reading I obviously wasn't on this trip. I was 28 00:01:28,040 --> 00:01:30,120 Speaker 1: covering it from home, but I was reading Jeff Miller 29 00:01:30,160 --> 00:01:32,840 Speaker 1: from the La Times, and he talked about how derwin 30 00:01:32,959 --> 00:01:35,399 Speaker 1: James said in that second half he could hear the 31 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:38,440 Speaker 1: announcer from the Texans talk about how they needed to 32 00:01:38,440 --> 00:01:40,360 Speaker 1: get loud and the crowd needed to get loud, and 33 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:41,760 Speaker 1: he's like, you know what. It kind of like ticked 34 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:43,240 Speaker 1: me off a little bit, and then they kicked it 35 00:01:43,280 --> 00:01:46,520 Speaker 1: into gear. So you saw them come back around. This 36 00:01:46,680 --> 00:01:49,400 Speaker 1: obviously felt like a game they could have won by twenty, 37 00:01:49,440 --> 00:01:51,640 Speaker 1: by thirty. They end up winning it by ten, and 38 00:01:51,680 --> 00:01:53,880 Speaker 1: like you mentioned, a win's a win. Some of the 39 00:01:53,920 --> 00:01:56,840 Speaker 1: things that they hadn't been able to kind of complete 40 00:01:56,880 --> 00:02:00,000 Speaker 1: or get right, particularly rushing the football, and we felt 41 00:02:00,160 --> 00:02:02,280 Speaker 1: that was kind of hopefully kind of given this game, 42 00:02:02,360 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 1: given the Texans sort of dreadful performance against the run. 43 00:02:05,480 --> 00:02:07,920 Speaker 1: So you saw those things kind of get right, and 44 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:09,520 Speaker 1: you hope that they can build off of it. But 45 00:02:09,520 --> 00:02:12,360 Speaker 1: at least you're back to five hundred. That's the key, 46 00:02:12,800 --> 00:02:14,919 Speaker 1: and you're keeping pace in the division that is still 47 00:02:14,960 --> 00:02:16,760 Speaker 1: kind of wild and still kind of crazy in its 48 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:19,320 Speaker 1: own sort of a certain way. But you're back to 49 00:02:19,360 --> 00:02:21,800 Speaker 1: five hundred. You get a win, and now you can 50 00:02:21,880 --> 00:02:25,799 Speaker 1: move on to to week five here against Cleveland. Eric, 51 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:29,560 Speaker 1: what about you, Bud? Yeah, kind of echoing what Hayley said, 52 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:31,440 Speaker 1: I think with what we talked about last week, we 53 00:02:31,440 --> 00:02:34,160 Speaker 1: are all just so fascinated to see how they would respond, 54 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:37,639 Speaker 1: and they responded well. But I think given how honestly 55 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:40,200 Speaker 1: how bad last week was, you really just take the 56 00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:42,480 Speaker 1: win where you can get it, and then you just 57 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:44,760 Speaker 1: kind of keep on building and move ahead to week five. 58 00:02:45,440 --> 00:02:48,560 Speaker 1: You know, there are rarely these perfect games in the NFL, 59 00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:51,560 Speaker 1: even when you'd look maybe on paper, like I was 60 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:54,720 Speaker 1: looking at the roster before the game, and obviously the Chargers, 61 00:02:54,720 --> 00:02:57,440 Speaker 1: still with all the injuries, have a very talented drafter 62 00:02:58,280 --> 00:02:59,920 Speaker 1: and I'm looking at the text and Drafter, I'm like, 63 00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:03,160 Speaker 1: I don't know how these guys, but they're still an 64 00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:05,960 Speaker 1: NFL team and they're still good and then they still playmakers. 65 00:03:06,400 --> 00:03:08,880 Speaker 1: Um so credit to Houston for kind of battling back 66 00:03:08,880 --> 00:03:11,119 Speaker 1: in the second half, you know, and the Chargers said, 67 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:13,680 Speaker 1: they said, you know, when you're up twenty seven to 68 00:03:13,720 --> 00:03:16,080 Speaker 1: seven and a half, you know, maybe it's just human 69 00:03:16,160 --> 00:03:17,720 Speaker 1: nature to kind of take your foot off the gas 70 00:03:17,720 --> 00:03:19,960 Speaker 1: a little bit. But I thought it was great how 71 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:25,240 Speaker 1: they responded late, you know, especially that that final drive 72 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:28,480 Speaker 1: for the offense where they put together that that touchdown 73 00:03:28,560 --> 00:03:32,440 Speaker 1: drive to to Eckler. I thought that was big because 74 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:36,320 Speaker 1: they could have easily it could have easily gone south. 75 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:38,040 Speaker 1: I think we can all agree with that. Like when 76 00:03:38,080 --> 00:03:39,640 Speaker 1: when it got a little bit hairry there in the 77 00:03:39,640 --> 00:03:42,480 Speaker 1: second half, you know, party, Party was like, Okay, this 78 00:03:42,840 --> 00:03:46,880 Speaker 1: is this really gonna go bad? So yeah, credit to 79 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:49,680 Speaker 1: the Charger for first winning the game and two kind 80 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:51,600 Speaker 1: of responding when they needed to. I mean, the first 81 00:03:51,640 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 1: half was with domination, Chris, Like you said, they scored 82 00:03:54,600 --> 00:03:57,480 Speaker 1: twenty seven points. I think that the most day Gordon 83 00:03:57,520 --> 00:03:59,960 Speaker 1: the first half in four years. So they look great. 84 00:04:01,920 --> 00:04:04,040 Speaker 1: You know, it's just so tough to play a complete 85 00:04:04,080 --> 00:04:06,240 Speaker 1: sixteen minute game. I know that have one goal, but 86 00:04:06,760 --> 00:04:08,920 Speaker 1: you know, like like with that, you take what you 87 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:13,760 Speaker 1: can get. And onto week five. So a few things 88 00:04:13,760 --> 00:04:17,000 Speaker 1: that I noticed in that in that first half. You know, 89 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:20,039 Speaker 1: the Chargers failed to get any turnovers in week two. 90 00:04:20,040 --> 00:04:23,280 Speaker 1: In Week three, they started the game with that Nas 91 00:04:23,320 --> 00:04:26,080 Speaker 1: outterlea pick. Nas. I feel like Nas should have like 92 00:04:26,160 --> 00:04:28,839 Speaker 1: fifteen picks in his Charger's career. You know, they're either 93 00:04:29,080 --> 00:04:31,560 Speaker 1: called back or just off his figure tips. But but 94 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:34,760 Speaker 1: he gets that first one. Gerald Everett scores, so they 95 00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:37,000 Speaker 1: get that hot start that they needed, I think on 96 00:04:37,040 --> 00:04:40,240 Speaker 1: the road, and then they closed the game within interception 97 00:04:40,279 --> 00:04:43,839 Speaker 1: that Bryce Callahan game ceiling pick, so I thought, you know, 98 00:04:44,080 --> 00:04:47,559 Speaker 1: turning the football over getting it. They got after Davis Mills. 99 00:04:47,560 --> 00:04:50,800 Speaker 1: They hit him ten times. Seven Chargers hit Davis Mills. 100 00:04:51,200 --> 00:04:55,960 Speaker 1: And then offensively, listen, Justin Herbert looked like Justin Herbert 101 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 1: to me, three hundred forty yards, two touchdowns to pass, 102 00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:02,640 Speaker 1: a rating of one thirteen point two. The passing game 103 00:05:02,920 --> 00:05:06,120 Speaker 1: ran through Mike Williams seven for one twenty. You know, 104 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:09,480 Speaker 1: I talked to Mike before the team took off, and 105 00:05:09,520 --> 00:05:12,360 Speaker 1: we talked about the fact that adversity strikes every single 106 00:05:12,400 --> 00:05:14,480 Speaker 1: team in the NFL at some point. You know, the 107 00:05:14,600 --> 00:05:16,840 Speaker 1: Chargers are kind of going through that adversity right now, 108 00:05:16,960 --> 00:05:20,320 Speaker 1: especially with injuries, and he kept saying, Hey, next man up, 109 00:05:20,360 --> 00:05:23,479 Speaker 1: next man up. How about next man up? At left tackle? Hailey, 110 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:26,800 Speaker 1: Jamari saw your I mean the way he played. You know, 111 00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:28,960 Speaker 1: we can get into Corey, and Corey makes a world 112 00:05:28,960 --> 00:05:31,400 Speaker 1: of difference on that offensive line. I think it's fairly obvious. 113 00:05:32,200 --> 00:05:35,120 Speaker 1: But the fact that Justin Herbert was barely touched in 114 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:38,120 Speaker 1: this game, and you have a rookie left tackle who 115 00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:41,240 Speaker 1: has high expectations because the guy he's replacing as a 116 00:05:41,279 --> 00:05:44,280 Speaker 1: first team All Pro as a rookie, So I mean, 117 00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:47,320 Speaker 1: shout out to Jamari for the way he played. That 118 00:05:47,440 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 1: was certainly an awesome performance in his first NFL game. Yeah, 119 00:05:51,360 --> 00:05:53,440 Speaker 1: so obviously because I wasn't on this trip, I was 120 00:05:53,440 --> 00:05:54,960 Speaker 1: watching the game at home, and that means I have 121 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:57,960 Speaker 1: the television broadcast on and early on in the game, 122 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:01,360 Speaker 1: Beth Moens, who was the play I play on the game, 123 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:04,440 Speaker 1: mentions She's like, Ah, we haven't even talked about Jamari Saier. 124 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:06,840 Speaker 1: But that's probably a good thing, right because as an 125 00:06:06,839 --> 00:06:09,560 Speaker 1: offensive lineman, you don't want your number to be talked about, 126 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:11,599 Speaker 1: you don't want your name to be talked about on 127 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:13,680 Speaker 1: the broadcast of any position. That's the one you just 128 00:06:13,760 --> 00:06:17,120 Speaker 1: never want to hear, and you didn't hear it throughout 129 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:19,280 Speaker 1: the rest of the game, and that's a good thing, 130 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:24,880 Speaker 1: and it's incredible. I mean, I think, you know, it 131 00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:27,480 Speaker 1: was an interesting dynamic, and I think credit to the 132 00:06:27,560 --> 00:06:30,760 Speaker 1: Chargers to just make the change and go with it 133 00:06:30,839 --> 00:06:32,920 Speaker 1: and sort of say, hey, let's you know, let's put 134 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:34,719 Speaker 1: him in and see what he can do here. And 135 00:06:34,760 --> 00:06:37,599 Speaker 1: he certainly held his own and you know, Brandon Staley 136 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:39,520 Speaker 1: said after the game he was really proud of the 137 00:06:39,560 --> 00:06:41,559 Speaker 1: way that he played. And I was just thinking back 138 00:06:41,640 --> 00:06:45,279 Speaker 1: to Joe Lombardi's presser earlier in the week when he 139 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:47,840 Speaker 1: mentioned how Jamaria is cut from the same cloth as 140 00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:51,560 Speaker 1: Zion and Rashawn, and that is certainly high praise because, 141 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:53,799 Speaker 1: as we know, those two are just stand up guys 142 00:06:53,839 --> 00:06:56,240 Speaker 1: both on and off the field. And so when you 143 00:06:56,240 --> 00:06:57,880 Speaker 1: get that in your head, I mean, you don't want 144 00:06:57,880 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 1: to overhype the guy before he even steps out on 145 00:06:59,960 --> 00:07:02,360 Speaker 1: the field, but you feel more confident about where he's 146 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:04,360 Speaker 1: going to be and how he's going to perform, and 147 00:07:04,720 --> 00:07:07,400 Speaker 1: he certainly did perform well. Again, you don't hear his name, 148 00:07:07,520 --> 00:07:09,400 Speaker 1: and that's a good thing. And then really quick when 149 00:07:09,400 --> 00:07:11,200 Speaker 1: you mentioned the adversity, because I want to go back 150 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:13,920 Speaker 1: to a line that Austin Eckler had where he said, 151 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:16,640 Speaker 1: we face some adversity, which is kind of the best 152 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:19,480 Speaker 1: way to start your season because it's because it's going 153 00:07:19,520 --> 00:07:21,760 Speaker 1: to tell you a lot about your team. And like 154 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:23,720 Speaker 1: you said, every team goes through it, and every team 155 00:07:23,720 --> 00:07:27,040 Speaker 1: goes through it at different times. Maybe starting it early 156 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:29,560 Speaker 1: and kind of facing it early does give you a 157 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:31,720 Speaker 1: barometer on what your team is going to be, like 158 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:33,720 Speaker 1: how you can battle with the guys who you are 159 00:07:33,800 --> 00:07:38,600 Speaker 1: going to war air quotes here with on Sundays, Thursday's, Mondays, 160 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:41,240 Speaker 1: whatever it is. Maybe it's a good thing that they're 161 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 1: sort of facing this adversity now and sort of learning 162 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:46,720 Speaker 1: how to work through it versus maybe towards the end 163 00:07:46,720 --> 00:07:48,200 Speaker 1: of the season or in the middle of a season 164 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:51,040 Speaker 1: or something like that. Yeah, Haley, it's an excellent point. 165 00:07:51,320 --> 00:07:54,640 Speaker 1: You're going to learn a lot about your team, especially 166 00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:57,000 Speaker 1: early in the year when you have adversity like the 167 00:07:57,080 --> 00:07:59,880 Speaker 1: charges of head through the first four weeks. Eric, you 168 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:03,480 Speaker 1: said you had a note on JABORI correct, Yeah, just 169 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:05,560 Speaker 1: I thought it right before we popped on you know 170 00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:08,640 Speaker 1: pro football focus would some people take with a grain 171 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:10,520 Speaker 1: of salt, you know, depending on how you interpret that. 172 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:14,360 Speaker 1: But he had a path blocking grade yesterday have ninety 173 00:08:14,400 --> 00:08:19,400 Speaker 1: point four, which is fantastic. So that's great start for him. 174 00:08:19,480 --> 00:08:21,760 Speaker 1: If you go back and look at at Herbert first 175 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:25,640 Speaker 1: tuckdown to Everett and early in the first quarter, just 176 00:08:25,720 --> 00:08:28,840 Speaker 1: look at the pocket that that Justin had, Like I 177 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 1: poked a screenshot of it on Twitter, and it was 178 00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:35,680 Speaker 1: like he was sitting in a rocking chair, like with 179 00:08:35,720 --> 00:08:37,680 Speaker 1: nobody around him. You know, there was no one within 180 00:08:37,760 --> 00:08:39,079 Speaker 1: three yards of him, and he had all the time 181 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:40,840 Speaker 1: in the world to throw when Jamari was a big 182 00:08:40,840 --> 00:08:44,080 Speaker 1: part of that. So Kudo threw the rookie for stepping in. Um. 183 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:46,120 Speaker 1: He got a game ball after the game, and you 184 00:08:46,160 --> 00:08:49,959 Speaker 1: could tell how happy people were for him. Yeah, that 185 00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:52,840 Speaker 1: was awesome to see Um. And you know this is 186 00:08:53,280 --> 00:08:56,679 Speaker 1: this is a player who played at Georgia, who was 187 00:08:56,679 --> 00:08:59,040 Speaker 1: a mainstay on their offensive line. So it's not like 188 00:08:59,120 --> 00:09:01,400 Speaker 1: he came from a small school. I mean, he has 189 00:09:01,440 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 1: an SEC pedigree. I was frankly pretty shocked that he 190 00:09:06,520 --> 00:09:08,200 Speaker 1: went in the sixth run after talking to all these 191 00:09:08,320 --> 00:09:11,680 Speaker 1: draft analysts after the draft, saying like, wow, we were 192 00:09:11,720 --> 00:09:16,000 Speaker 1: pretty surprised that he slipped Hailey. Yeah, It's just one 193 00:09:16,040 --> 00:09:19,200 Speaker 1: of those things that it's it's crazy how and I 194 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:21,240 Speaker 1: know that you can't really analyze a draft until what 195 00:09:21,320 --> 00:09:23,280 Speaker 1: is it, like three years after it's done or something 196 00:09:23,320 --> 00:09:25,960 Speaker 1: like that, but immediately you look at sort of the 197 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:28,160 Speaker 1: impact that some of these guys have had on their 198 00:09:28,160 --> 00:09:31,480 Speaker 1: colleges and their college careers, and you go, why didn't 199 00:09:31,520 --> 00:09:33,240 Speaker 1: he go sooner? And I know I believe he played 200 00:09:33,280 --> 00:09:37,560 Speaker 1: left tackle a good chunk at Georgia as well. So 201 00:09:37,600 --> 00:09:39,160 Speaker 1: I don't know. It's just one of those things. But 202 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:42,160 Speaker 1: you know, maybe sometimes that's where you trust your scouting 203 00:09:42,160 --> 00:09:45,720 Speaker 1: staff and maybe it's it's instances like this that, unfortunately, 204 00:09:46,120 --> 00:09:48,040 Speaker 1: you know, you never want to see a player get hurt. 205 00:09:48,040 --> 00:09:49,840 Speaker 1: You never want this to be the case as to 206 00:09:49,960 --> 00:09:52,520 Speaker 1: why you're seeing it and why it's happening. But if 207 00:09:52,520 --> 00:09:54,400 Speaker 1: you can get a guy like Jamari's a plug in 208 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:56,720 Speaker 1: there and kind of keep it smooth and keep it 209 00:09:56,760 --> 00:09:59,480 Speaker 1: smooth sailing, then that's all you can ask for. That's 210 00:09:59,520 --> 00:10:01,320 Speaker 1: all you can truly asked for for a guy in 211 00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:04,240 Speaker 1: that situation. And I think, you know, I'm not sure 212 00:10:05,640 --> 00:10:08,000 Speaker 1: when you kind of heard him this week. I mean 213 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:09,840 Speaker 1: it sounded like he was just coming in with that 214 00:10:09,920 --> 00:10:12,000 Speaker 1: mentality of Hey, I'm just coming in as the starter. 215 00:10:12,040 --> 00:10:13,640 Speaker 1: We're gonna do it. We're not going to worry about 216 00:10:13,679 --> 00:10:16,120 Speaker 1: where we were drafted, where I was drafted, anything like that, 217 00:10:16,480 --> 00:10:18,800 Speaker 1: and just kind of go. But you know, it's funny 218 00:10:19,080 --> 00:10:21,080 Speaker 1: you mentioned the Georgia thing, and I remember when he 219 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:23,920 Speaker 1: was at a Chargers media day, he was rolling through 220 00:10:23,960 --> 00:10:26,480 Speaker 1: all the stations like an absolute pro, because that's the 221 00:10:26,520 --> 00:10:28,640 Speaker 1: stuff that you do when you're in the SEC. And 222 00:10:28,679 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 1: this is granted, level of football is obviously higher in 223 00:10:31,800 --> 00:10:34,360 Speaker 1: the SEC as well, so you kind of parley that 224 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:37,559 Speaker 1: all together. But just a standout performance from him and 225 00:10:37,679 --> 00:10:41,640 Speaker 1: just so awesome to see. So I mentioned, you know, 226 00:10:41,760 --> 00:10:44,800 Speaker 1: Justin Herbert. I think a lot of fans were worried 227 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:49,040 Speaker 1: about this rib injury, obviously for Justin's health in safety, 228 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:51,760 Speaker 1: but also it's gonna be very difficult to play with 229 00:10:52,080 --> 00:10:55,440 Speaker 1: and when you get the offensive line playing the way 230 00:10:55,440 --> 00:10:59,600 Speaker 1: it did, and Justin playing the way he did, I mean, 231 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:01,600 Speaker 1: he looked he looked like the guy that we saw 232 00:11:01,679 --> 00:11:04,439 Speaker 1: last year that was thrown for five thousand yards. So 233 00:11:04,800 --> 00:11:07,760 Speaker 1: that was very encouraging to see that was without Keenan 234 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:11,679 Speaker 1: Allen out there, that was without Rashawn Slater as your 235 00:11:11,760 --> 00:11:15,120 Speaker 1: left tackle. So I was very encouraged by that. I 236 00:11:15,200 --> 00:11:17,320 Speaker 1: do think the running game, it was good to see 237 00:11:17,360 --> 00:11:20,800 Speaker 1: Austin get rolling. Three total touchdowns. He had sixty yards 238 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:24,520 Speaker 1: on the ground thirteen carries. Two of those carries were 239 00:11:24,679 --> 00:11:28,559 Speaker 1: thirty yards and those were the touchdowns. So the Chargers 240 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:31,840 Speaker 1: running game still wasn't I think what it needs to 241 00:11:31,920 --> 00:11:35,400 Speaker 1: be moving forward, And we'll get into Cleveland later in 242 00:11:35,520 --> 00:11:39,760 Speaker 1: the pod. But Eric, I look at the running game 243 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:43,719 Speaker 1: and it was good to see Austin get rolling. I 244 00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:48,640 Speaker 1: feel like between Sony and Josh Kelly, there needs to 245 00:11:48,679 --> 00:11:52,680 Speaker 1: be maybe a little bit more consistency there if they're 246 00:11:52,679 --> 00:11:56,400 Speaker 1: gonna be a balanced offense. Yeah, I would probably agree 247 00:11:56,440 --> 00:11:57,920 Speaker 1: with that. I mean, I wrote after the game and 248 00:11:58,200 --> 00:12:00,959 Speaker 1: my five takeaway that it was a start for the 249 00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:03,800 Speaker 1: run game. I mean, certainly it wasn't perfect, but it 250 00:12:03,840 --> 00:12:06,120 Speaker 1: felt like a little bit of like famine or feast. 251 00:12:06,280 --> 00:12:08,440 Speaker 1: Like you mentioned the two carries that went for thirty yards. 252 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:11,720 Speaker 1: I think Ecker had four total carries that went for 253 00:12:11,840 --> 00:12:16,000 Speaker 1: ten ten yards or more, which means the other nine 254 00:12:16,040 --> 00:12:19,280 Speaker 1: carries really didn't go for much. Yeah, I'll interrupt you 255 00:12:19,320 --> 00:12:22,880 Speaker 1: real quicker, twenty seven for eighty one three yards a 256 00:12:22,960 --> 00:12:26,439 Speaker 1: pop for the entire run offense, right, but you have 257 00:12:26,520 --> 00:12:29,120 Speaker 1: to take Herbert's kneel down out of that obviously at 258 00:12:29,160 --> 00:12:31,760 Speaker 1: the end. Yeah. So I think for the running back 259 00:12:31,800 --> 00:12:34,360 Speaker 1: that was twenty three carried for eighty six yard, which 260 00:12:34,720 --> 00:12:36,720 Speaker 1: is about a yard more than their game than they 261 00:12:36,720 --> 00:12:39,880 Speaker 1: were having in the previous three games. So definitely an 262 00:12:39,960 --> 00:12:44,800 Speaker 1: uptake for sure, but it wasn't as maybe consistent as 263 00:12:45,720 --> 00:12:49,199 Speaker 1: we as we or the team wants. Um. It was 264 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:51,880 Speaker 1: an improvement for sure, and that's good to see, just 265 00:12:51,920 --> 00:12:56,320 Speaker 1: because the first three games were just so inconsistent. Yeah, 266 00:12:56,320 --> 00:12:59,040 Speaker 1: it was good to get Austin going. Um. I think 267 00:12:59,040 --> 00:13:03,400 Speaker 1: the whole thing, the whole offense overall, is still building 268 00:13:03,440 --> 00:13:07,280 Speaker 1: to what it could be. And you mentioned justin. I 269 00:13:07,360 --> 00:13:09,800 Speaker 1: just think there were just so much unknown heading into 270 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:12,000 Speaker 1: that Jacksonville game, where we didn't know how he was 271 00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:14,640 Speaker 1: gonna do. Maybe he didn't know how he was gonna do, 272 00:13:14,960 --> 00:13:16,320 Speaker 1: He didn't know if he was gonna play. He was 273 00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:19,000 Speaker 1: so so Murky's still up in the air, and then 274 00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:20,719 Speaker 1: last week there was none of that, right, there was 275 00:13:20,760 --> 00:13:22,240 Speaker 1: none of that. Is he gonna play Like we all 276 00:13:22,320 --> 00:13:24,280 Speaker 1: knew he was gonna play. He probably knew how to 277 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:27,320 Speaker 1: manage it better, knew what to expect on Sunday, and 278 00:13:27,360 --> 00:13:29,480 Speaker 1: he looked great. Like you said you rattled off the 279 00:13:29,559 --> 00:13:32,079 Speaker 1: stats earlier. You know, he looked like Justin Herbert that 280 00:13:32,400 --> 00:13:36,720 Speaker 1: we know. You know, I gotta give credit to Mike Williams. 281 00:13:36,920 --> 00:13:39,920 Speaker 1: You know that guy is continuing to shine with Keenan out. 282 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:44,199 Speaker 1: And I just thought that the big playability was there 283 00:13:44,400 --> 00:13:47,960 Speaker 1: yesterday then, more than we've seen in recent recent weeks. 284 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:50,800 Speaker 1: I guess the first three weeks. I think in the 285 00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:54,640 Speaker 1: first three games the Chargers had eleven explosive plays, which 286 00:13:54,679 --> 00:13:56,960 Speaker 1: is a run of ten or more yards in a 287 00:13:56,960 --> 00:13:59,840 Speaker 1: path of twenty more yards. By my account, they had 288 00:14:00,040 --> 00:14:02,280 Speaker 1: hand exposed to play with the yesterday that they almost 289 00:14:02,280 --> 00:14:05,640 Speaker 1: equaled their seeth in total yesterday, not obviously how you 290 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:07,560 Speaker 1: put up a four hundred and nineteen yards of offense 291 00:14:07,600 --> 00:14:09,520 Speaker 1: on the road. So it was just good to see 292 00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:14,080 Speaker 1: that the big playability was back, and I think we 293 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:16,360 Speaker 1: can hopefully expect that going forward, like we said, with 294 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:19,160 Speaker 1: Justin kind of back in a groove, knowing, knowing how 295 00:14:19,160 --> 00:14:23,000 Speaker 1: to manage that injury and hopefully getting Keenan back too. Yeah, 296 00:14:23,120 --> 00:14:25,800 Speaker 1: good call, good call taking out these Herbert's kneel down. 297 00:14:25,880 --> 00:14:28,200 Speaker 1: So it's twenty three for eighty six the running backs 298 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:30,840 Speaker 1: three point seven to carry, so about, like you said, 299 00:14:30,880 --> 00:14:35,200 Speaker 1: about a yard better than the average through three games. Haley. 300 00:14:35,560 --> 00:14:39,040 Speaker 1: One theme that needs to be cleaned up in the 301 00:14:39,080 --> 00:14:41,960 Speaker 1: second half is just they've been outscored in every single 302 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:44,440 Speaker 1: game in the second half. I think it was twenty 303 00:14:44,440 --> 00:14:51,240 Speaker 1: two seven last week against Jacksonville, it was Kansas City, 304 00:14:51,280 --> 00:14:56,040 Speaker 1: they were outscored, Vegas they were outscored Week one, and 305 00:14:56,080 --> 00:15:00,280 Speaker 1: then obviously the Texans. So it's you guys mentioned it's 306 00:15:00,320 --> 00:15:02,400 Speaker 1: hard to play a complete game in the NFL, but 307 00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:07,480 Speaker 1: these second halves they have to either hold onto the 308 00:15:07,560 --> 00:15:11,160 Speaker 1: lead and add some points to it or make sure 309 00:15:11,600 --> 00:15:14,800 Speaker 1: that they can come back and outscore teams in the 310 00:15:14,840 --> 00:15:16,640 Speaker 1: second half. That's going to be something that I'm looking 311 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:20,200 Speaker 1: forward to seeing starting with Cleveland. Yeah, and that works 312 00:15:20,200 --> 00:15:22,000 Speaker 1: on both sides of the ball, right, It works on 313 00:15:22,040 --> 00:15:25,080 Speaker 1: sustaining offensive drives, but also as a defense, being able 314 00:15:25,120 --> 00:15:27,480 Speaker 1: to put your foot on the gas and keep that 315 00:15:27,520 --> 00:15:30,680 Speaker 1: going and stopping their offense as well. And I made 316 00:15:30,680 --> 00:15:33,960 Speaker 1: a note as they started the fourth quarter. The Texans 317 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:36,920 Speaker 1: has been the Texans have been outscored thirty to nothing 318 00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:39,560 Speaker 1: in the fourth quarter through the first three games. And 319 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:41,760 Speaker 1: then all of a sudden you saw what happened, and 320 00:15:41,800 --> 00:15:44,200 Speaker 1: you're like, oh, is this going to be the day 321 00:15:44,240 --> 00:15:46,200 Speaker 1: where they turned that around? And it did get very 322 00:15:46,240 --> 00:15:48,920 Speaker 1: close there to a point towards the very end, but 323 00:15:49,480 --> 00:15:52,280 Speaker 1: you just do have to and again, you know, maybe 324 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:54,200 Speaker 1: this is one of those things that they're just dealing 325 00:15:54,240 --> 00:15:57,280 Speaker 1: with specifically with this game, you know, trying to work 326 00:15:57,320 --> 00:15:59,720 Speaker 1: through just some not having all your pieces there and 327 00:15:59,720 --> 00:16:02,360 Speaker 1: work through some pieces. JC Jackson was also back in 328 00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:04,560 Speaker 1: this game. We've only seen him in one other game 329 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:08,040 Speaker 1: this year, so you know, you're kind of dealing with 330 00:16:08,240 --> 00:16:10,760 Speaker 1: adding guys who haven't been here, dealing with the losses 331 00:16:10,760 --> 00:16:13,600 Speaker 1: of other players. But again, to me, it comes down 332 00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:16,560 Speaker 1: to both sides of the ball. That offensively, you have 333 00:16:16,640 --> 00:16:19,960 Speaker 1: to sustain drives, even if you're not necessarily putting ports 334 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:21,880 Speaker 1: on the board, you need to like sustain it. You 335 00:16:21,920 --> 00:16:23,720 Speaker 1: need to take time off the clock, you need to 336 00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:26,200 Speaker 1: keep that going. And then defensively though, you have to 337 00:16:26,240 --> 00:16:28,480 Speaker 1: also just put your foot on the gas and stop it, 338 00:16:28,960 --> 00:16:31,360 Speaker 1: and as good as they were in that first half, 339 00:16:31,760 --> 00:16:35,320 Speaker 1: I don't know what the halftime is like where sometimes 340 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:37,920 Speaker 1: they just sort of get a little comfortable maybe, But 341 00:16:38,120 --> 00:16:39,760 Speaker 1: at the end of the day, you know, like we 342 00:16:39,800 --> 00:16:42,080 Speaker 1: talked about up top, a win's a win. But that 343 00:16:42,200 --> 00:16:44,960 Speaker 1: is something I'm totally with. You needs to get cleaned 344 00:16:45,040 --> 00:16:47,840 Speaker 1: up because you're going to have some dominant opponents that 345 00:16:47,880 --> 00:16:49,360 Speaker 1: are going to come up throughout the season and you 346 00:16:49,400 --> 00:16:50,920 Speaker 1: want to play your best football at the end, and 347 00:16:50,960 --> 00:16:52,320 Speaker 1: you also want to do that at the end of 348 00:16:52,360 --> 00:16:57,240 Speaker 1: games as well. So Eric, the Raiders beat the Broncos. 349 00:16:57,600 --> 00:17:00,960 Speaker 1: Broncos or two and two, Chargers are two into the 350 00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:03,200 Speaker 1: Raiders are one and three, and then the Chiefs beat 351 00:17:03,240 --> 00:17:06,639 Speaker 1: the Bucks a three on one. The AFC West isn't 352 00:17:06,720 --> 00:17:09,679 Speaker 1: like the best conference of all time, all right, we 353 00:17:09,800 --> 00:17:12,160 Speaker 1: I think we hyped it up going into this season, 354 00:17:12,280 --> 00:17:14,919 Speaker 1: and deservedly so. There's a lot of moves made, but 355 00:17:15,440 --> 00:17:20,040 Speaker 1: this is a division that can be had, and for 356 00:17:20,119 --> 00:17:22,760 Speaker 1: everything that's happened through the first quarter of the season, 357 00:17:23,359 --> 00:17:25,960 Speaker 1: Chargers are sitting a game back in the Chiefs in 358 00:17:26,040 --> 00:17:28,760 Speaker 1: a game where I'll say it again, if Corey Linsley 359 00:17:28,840 --> 00:17:30,879 Speaker 1: was in that game in the second half may have 360 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:34,040 Speaker 1: been a little bit different in Arrowheads. So for for 361 00:17:34,119 --> 00:17:37,880 Speaker 1: as tough as a quarter this has been for the Chargers, 362 00:17:38,160 --> 00:17:41,119 Speaker 1: you still find yourself in a pretty good position. You 363 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:42,960 Speaker 1: got a tough road game coming up, which we'll get 364 00:17:42,960 --> 00:17:45,720 Speaker 1: to and then the Broncos in two weeks here from 365 00:17:45,720 --> 00:17:50,720 Speaker 1: Monday Night football. Yeah, it's funny, right, like, what what 366 00:17:50,880 --> 00:17:54,080 Speaker 1: is the best division? I mean, the other than Washington 367 00:17:54,119 --> 00:17:56,600 Speaker 1: the nfdeas looks pretty good. And knowing what I said 368 00:17:56,640 --> 00:18:00,280 Speaker 1: that right about a month ago, m yeah, I think 369 00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:02,320 Speaker 1: you you stay the course, you know, and you just 370 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:04,119 Speaker 1: keep taking a one week at a time, which I 371 00:18:04,119 --> 00:18:05,800 Speaker 1: know is the cliche that we hear all the time, 372 00:18:05,840 --> 00:18:11,280 Speaker 1: but um, you know, you can't win the division in 373 00:18:11,359 --> 00:18:14,119 Speaker 1: week five or week four or week three. You know, 374 00:18:14,200 --> 00:18:16,480 Speaker 1: you just play the games and you hope to win 375 00:18:16,520 --> 00:18:19,320 Speaker 1: and you stack it up at the end. I think 376 00:18:19,359 --> 00:18:21,600 Speaker 1: we're all definitely keeping an eye on what the other 377 00:18:21,640 --> 00:18:24,280 Speaker 1: teams are doing as we always do, maybe a little 378 00:18:24,280 --> 00:18:26,560 Speaker 1: more this year just because there was so much hype 379 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:30,840 Speaker 1: around this, this group of four teams. I still think 380 00:18:30,840 --> 00:18:35,000 Speaker 1: it's going to be a cluster of teams at the 381 00:18:35,119 --> 00:18:38,240 Speaker 1: end who are right there. Um, I mean I didn't. 382 00:18:38,240 --> 00:18:40,240 Speaker 1: I didn't see the Chiefs game last night. We were 383 00:18:40,280 --> 00:18:43,919 Speaker 1: flying home, but obviously they look good. But I just 384 00:18:43,960 --> 00:18:49,320 Speaker 1: think that, yeah, I mean I was following on Twitter 385 00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:51,760 Speaker 1: and something about my home, which is like a weekly thing. 386 00:18:51,800 --> 00:18:56,080 Speaker 1: But whatever. Yeah, if you can just stay stay with 387 00:18:56,119 --> 00:18:58,679 Speaker 1: the pack, right, and then surge late. That was actually 388 00:18:58,680 --> 00:19:02,720 Speaker 1: the headline of my story, Like Chargers thurge late. You know, 389 00:19:02,840 --> 00:19:04,840 Speaker 1: with the end of the fourth quarter. They got it done. 390 00:19:05,119 --> 00:19:07,080 Speaker 1: They don't need to have that same mindset for the thief. 391 00:19:07,119 --> 00:19:09,760 Speaker 1: And two, just stick with it, you know, stay with 392 00:19:09,800 --> 00:19:12,440 Speaker 1: a bit, stay with it, and then the last five 393 00:19:12,520 --> 00:19:14,680 Speaker 1: sixth games, okay, that time to turn it on, with 394 00:19:14,800 --> 00:19:16,920 Speaker 1: time to make a push. But we are so far 395 00:19:16,960 --> 00:19:20,680 Speaker 1: away from there. We're still my math is bad. Eight 396 00:19:20,720 --> 00:19:23,680 Speaker 1: ten games away from there, you know. So just focus 397 00:19:23,680 --> 00:19:26,240 Speaker 1: on Cleveland this week, keep at it, and then just 398 00:19:26,280 --> 00:19:28,679 Speaker 1: see where we're at, you know, Week seventeen, Week eighteen, 399 00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:31,680 Speaker 1: all right, speaking of the Browns quick break, we'll come 400 00:19:31,760 --> 00:19:35,160 Speaker 1: back and we'll look ahead to week five in Cleveland. 401 00:19:36,359 --> 00:19:38,520 Speaker 1: All right. So last week on the pod, we're talking 402 00:19:38,560 --> 00:19:42,800 Speaker 1: about how we can look ahead a little bit. I 403 00:19:42,840 --> 00:19:45,720 Speaker 1: look at these two away games at Houston at Cleveland 404 00:19:45,840 --> 00:19:49,000 Speaker 1: is a perfect opportunity to really right the ship get 405 00:19:49,040 --> 00:19:51,080 Speaker 1: to three and two ahead of the splendy night football 406 00:19:51,119 --> 00:19:54,880 Speaker 1: game you took Cara. Part A, Part B is going 407 00:19:54,880 --> 00:19:58,359 Speaker 1: to Cleveland and trying to slow perhaps the best rushing 408 00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:02,919 Speaker 1: attack in football with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt and Haley. 409 00:20:03,040 --> 00:20:07,359 Speaker 1: You know, last week James Robinson had a fifty yard touchdown. 410 00:20:08,280 --> 00:20:16,760 Speaker 1: Yesterday Damian Pierce a seventy five yard touchdown. So it's 411 00:20:16,800 --> 00:20:19,159 Speaker 1: something that they're gonna have to be well aware of 412 00:20:19,480 --> 00:20:23,760 Speaker 1: when you're talking about Chubb and Hunt. Oh yeah, I'm 413 00:20:23,800 --> 00:20:25,520 Speaker 1: going to go back to last season, and I know 414 00:20:25,560 --> 00:20:28,200 Speaker 1: that the Browns are obviously a different team in many aspects. 415 00:20:28,240 --> 00:20:30,680 Speaker 1: But you know, we made the joke that earlier last 416 00:20:30,720 --> 00:20:33,200 Speaker 1: season we were waiting for sort of that shootout to happen, 417 00:20:33,280 --> 00:20:35,760 Speaker 1: and no one expected, I think it to happen against 418 00:20:35,800 --> 00:20:38,080 Speaker 1: that Cleveland game where it just got cracked open. But 419 00:20:38,800 --> 00:20:41,640 Speaker 1: they go to their house this week. Browns were two 420 00:20:41,680 --> 00:20:44,879 Speaker 1: and two lost to the Falcons. Yesterday. They rushed for 421 00:20:44,920 --> 00:20:47,160 Speaker 1: one hundred and seventy seven yards and Nick Chubb had 422 00:20:47,320 --> 00:20:51,520 Speaker 1: one eighteen of those and there is no denying that 423 00:20:51,640 --> 00:20:54,120 Speaker 1: the flip side is that they gave up two O two, 424 00:20:54,440 --> 00:20:57,360 Speaker 1: but they didn't have Jaamian Clowney, they didn't have Miles Garrett. 425 00:20:57,800 --> 00:21:00,360 Speaker 1: He you know, he's got question marks. I'm sure into 426 00:21:00,440 --> 00:21:02,200 Speaker 1: this game as well, given that accident he was in 427 00:21:02,320 --> 00:21:06,359 Speaker 1: last week. But this is the ultimate You gotta stop 428 00:21:06,400 --> 00:21:09,520 Speaker 1: this ground attack because they will pound, dog pound it 429 00:21:09,640 --> 00:21:13,080 Speaker 1: down your throat all day long. And I think this 430 00:21:13,160 --> 00:21:17,000 Speaker 1: is one of those very interesting games that's like the 431 00:21:17,040 --> 00:21:21,560 Speaker 1: dog pound it. That's it, right, That's sure, that's where 432 00:21:21,560 --> 00:21:25,760 Speaker 1: it comes from. Who knows, but you just that's like 433 00:21:25,800 --> 00:21:28,600 Speaker 1: your focal point. You got to stop the run. And 434 00:21:29,359 --> 00:21:31,399 Speaker 1: I think Nick Chubb though, is one of those dynamic 435 00:21:31,440 --> 00:21:34,240 Speaker 1: players and Cream Hunt as well, but Chubb certainly tends 436 00:21:34,280 --> 00:21:36,359 Speaker 1: to care the load a little bit more. He just 437 00:21:36,400 --> 00:21:38,840 Speaker 1: gets it done. It's just really hard to find that 438 00:21:38,880 --> 00:21:41,600 Speaker 1: guy have a bad day in the NFL, and maybe 439 00:21:41,600 --> 00:21:44,320 Speaker 1: that will hopefully come this week, but you just have 440 00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:46,760 Speaker 1: to have that top of mind first and foremost, because 441 00:21:46,760 --> 00:21:48,560 Speaker 1: they are going to just throw it at you all 442 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:51,159 Speaker 1: day long. This is an interesting game to me just 443 00:21:51,240 --> 00:21:56,159 Speaker 1: because you know, in many ways, Jacoby Brissett, he I 444 00:21:56,160 --> 00:21:58,719 Speaker 1: guess it is one of those very competent backup quarterbacks. 445 00:21:58,760 --> 00:22:00,679 Speaker 1: You know, He's had a lot of starting experience in 446 00:22:00,680 --> 00:22:03,440 Speaker 1: this in this league, in the NFL. He made some 447 00:22:03,520 --> 00:22:07,439 Speaker 1: mistakes yesterday obviously that sort of ultimately led to their loss. 448 00:22:07,640 --> 00:22:10,600 Speaker 1: But this isn't a game that I think can be 449 00:22:10,680 --> 00:22:12,680 Speaker 1: taken kind of lightly. I mean, the Browns have a 450 00:22:12,720 --> 00:22:14,960 Speaker 1: lot of playmakers. Will they all be active and healthy 451 00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:17,960 Speaker 1: this Sunday, you know, specifically on defense? Who knows, But 452 00:22:18,080 --> 00:22:19,800 Speaker 1: this is one of those games, like you mentioned at, 453 00:22:19,880 --> 00:22:22,080 Speaker 1: just stopping the run, man, that is the first and 454 00:22:22,119 --> 00:22:24,560 Speaker 1: foremost most important thing you got to do in order 455 00:22:24,600 --> 00:22:26,919 Speaker 1: to have a chance. Eric. They have a heck of 456 00:22:26,920 --> 00:22:28,680 Speaker 1: a home field advantage too. That crowd is going to 457 00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:32,480 Speaker 1: be into it. And Haley alluded to Jacoby percent. You know, 458 00:22:32,720 --> 00:22:36,280 Speaker 1: he's playing football that allows you to win. You know, 459 00:22:36,720 --> 00:22:38,760 Speaker 1: he's not making many mistakes. He was twenty one to 460 00:22:38,840 --> 00:22:41,480 Speaker 1: thirty five, two thirty four, did have an interception yesterday, 461 00:22:41,520 --> 00:22:45,160 Speaker 1: but he's kind of playing even kill football and letting 462 00:22:45,160 --> 00:22:48,840 Speaker 1: those running backs do work. Yeah, he's always sort of 463 00:22:48,880 --> 00:22:51,600 Speaker 1: been that guy, right I throughout his career, whether he 464 00:22:51,680 --> 00:22:54,920 Speaker 1: filled in for for Andrew Luck, you know when he retired, 465 00:22:56,119 --> 00:22:58,280 Speaker 1: you know, he's always been a solid backup at Haley said, 466 00:22:59,200 --> 00:23:02,120 Speaker 1: definitely a home fiel advantage for Cleveland. And going back 467 00:23:02,119 --> 00:23:04,160 Speaker 1: to what we just talked about with the second half, 468 00:23:04,760 --> 00:23:07,719 Speaker 1: this is a game where you you can't get behind 469 00:23:07,760 --> 00:23:09,520 Speaker 1: in the second half or you can't get out scored. 470 00:23:09,640 --> 00:23:11,400 Speaker 1: Otherwise the Browns are just going to run the ball 471 00:23:11,800 --> 00:23:13,640 Speaker 1: and you're not even gonna have a chance to come back. 472 00:23:13,880 --> 00:23:16,920 Speaker 1: They're just going to control the ball, control the clock. Um. 473 00:23:17,600 --> 00:23:20,480 Speaker 1: You know, and I think especially if you look you know, 474 00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:22,040 Speaker 1: we talked about looking late in the year that we're 475 00:23:22,080 --> 00:23:24,560 Speaker 1: allowed to look ahead, these are the games you maybe 476 00:23:24,560 --> 00:23:28,000 Speaker 1: need to win too for for playoff purposes, you know, 477 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:30,000 Speaker 1: if you get a tiebreaker down the road, you know, 478 00:23:30,040 --> 00:23:33,720 Speaker 1: depending on where Cleveland shakes out at the end. Um, yeah, 479 00:23:33,760 --> 00:23:36,840 Speaker 1: it's the big game. Um. I think it's going to 480 00:23:36,880 --> 00:23:40,240 Speaker 1: be a definitely a cover road environment than what we 481 00:23:40,280 --> 00:23:44,520 Speaker 1: saw yesterday in Houston. You know, I know the announcer, 482 00:23:44,520 --> 00:23:46,639 Speaker 1: like Derwin said, trying to get the crowd hyped up. 483 00:23:47,480 --> 00:23:50,440 Speaker 1: The crowd with about half full. Um, you know, I 484 00:23:50,480 --> 00:23:52,320 Speaker 1: think it's gonna be a full house that that dog 485 00:23:52,320 --> 00:23:55,320 Speaker 1: Pound will be will be packed. Um yeah, good. And 486 00:23:55,359 --> 00:23:58,080 Speaker 1: you know, and all offseason we've heard about how they 487 00:23:58,560 --> 00:24:00,960 Speaker 1: the resources they poured into the run game, you know, 488 00:24:01,040 --> 00:24:04,040 Speaker 1: and how you know it's supposed to be better. You 489 00:24:04,359 --> 00:24:06,520 Speaker 1: mentioned the big play that haven't been as good. I 490 00:24:06,560 --> 00:24:10,120 Speaker 1: think that people wanted. But this is the true tast 491 00:24:10,200 --> 00:24:12,760 Speaker 1: right here to show. Okay, where are we probably the 492 00:24:12,800 --> 00:24:14,720 Speaker 1: better for rushing attack in the league. Can we stand 493 00:24:14,840 --> 00:24:17,880 Speaker 1: up and get the job done? Great point too, Eric, 494 00:24:17,920 --> 00:24:21,320 Speaker 1: I mean eleven of sixteen teams in the AFC, or 495 00:24:21,359 --> 00:24:24,640 Speaker 1: two and two or better, seven teams make it. So 496 00:24:25,200 --> 00:24:27,679 Speaker 1: these are the types of games where you can separate yourself, 497 00:24:27,720 --> 00:24:31,919 Speaker 1: get those tie breakers, and you know we talk about 498 00:24:32,200 --> 00:24:35,200 Speaker 1: this rushing attack. Their defense is pretty good too. If 499 00:24:35,240 --> 00:24:38,320 Speaker 1: Myles Garrett does go Hailey, it's a little bit different 500 00:24:38,440 --> 00:24:41,159 Speaker 1: for Jamari Sawyer. You know, you get you get that 501 00:24:41,240 --> 00:24:43,439 Speaker 1: one game under your belt in Houston, but then if 502 00:24:43,440 --> 00:24:46,000 Speaker 1: you get Clowney and Garrett and then you get chubbed 503 00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:48,119 Speaker 1: the following week and you get you chin in Nuosu 504 00:24:48,359 --> 00:24:51,520 Speaker 1: the week after that, I think this was a good 505 00:24:51,520 --> 00:24:54,520 Speaker 1: opportunity for Jamari to get those meaningful reps in his 506 00:24:54,640 --> 00:24:59,600 Speaker 1: first start before the pass rushers get more and more elite. Yeah, 507 00:24:59,680 --> 00:25:02,680 Speaker 1: because when you look at a player like Miles Garrett, 508 00:25:02,760 --> 00:25:04,760 Speaker 1: he's probably not going to be one hundred percent if 509 00:25:04,760 --> 00:25:06,280 Speaker 1: he does play. I mean, what did I read? He's 510 00:25:06,320 --> 00:25:12,040 Speaker 1: dealing with bice up and shoulder issues from that accident 511 00:25:12,160 --> 00:25:15,960 Speaker 1: he was in. But even at seventy five percent Miles 512 00:25:16,000 --> 00:25:20,320 Speaker 1: Garrett in eighty percent Miles Garrett is still marginally better 513 00:25:20,359 --> 00:25:24,480 Speaker 1: than in an active Miles Garrett. And so that is 514 00:25:24,520 --> 00:25:26,200 Speaker 1: certainly going to be one of those things that will 515 00:25:26,240 --> 00:25:28,960 Speaker 1: kind of monitor throughout the week and look at his status. 516 00:25:28,960 --> 00:25:31,920 Speaker 1: But definitely a difference maker. I don't know, I haven't 517 00:25:32,119 --> 00:25:34,520 Speaker 1: dug deep enough into what's going on with Dave and Clowney, 518 00:25:34,520 --> 00:25:36,280 Speaker 1: but even if you have one of them, I mean, 519 00:25:36,400 --> 00:25:38,560 Speaker 1: those guys are difference makers on that side of the ball, 520 00:25:38,600 --> 00:25:40,520 Speaker 1: and I think you saw that yesterday in terms of 521 00:25:40,520 --> 00:25:44,280 Speaker 1: the loss that they were sorely missed. But like you said, 522 00:25:44,400 --> 00:25:47,680 Speaker 1: to get Jamari in last week and kind of inch 523 00:25:47,760 --> 00:25:51,560 Speaker 1: him into what's to come. Facing some of these prominent 524 00:25:51,640 --> 00:25:54,320 Speaker 1: edge rushers in this league, it's a great test, and 525 00:25:54,440 --> 00:25:57,200 Speaker 1: what he did against Houston, he certainly aced it. And 526 00:25:57,720 --> 00:26:00,240 Speaker 1: unfortunately it's the NFL and it does get hard because 527 00:26:00,280 --> 00:26:02,520 Speaker 1: that's how this league is. Everything is a challenge. But 528 00:26:03,040 --> 00:26:05,399 Speaker 1: you got in at a good time and now you 529 00:26:05,440 --> 00:26:08,000 Speaker 1: get to hold your own against some of the best. Eric, 530 00:26:08,040 --> 00:26:09,720 Speaker 1: what do you think it's gonna be most important for 531 00:26:09,760 --> 00:26:14,720 Speaker 1: the Chargers offensively trying to match what Kareem Hunt and 532 00:26:14,840 --> 00:26:18,720 Speaker 1: Nick Chubb do or just having Justin do his thing. 533 00:26:19,240 --> 00:26:21,720 Speaker 1: Maybe you get Keenan Allen back, you got Mike Williams, 534 00:26:21,800 --> 00:26:24,359 Speaker 1: you got Gerald Everett, you got Austin coming out of 535 00:26:24,359 --> 00:26:30,040 Speaker 1: the backfield. Maybe try to beat him with the passing game. Yeah. 536 00:26:30,040 --> 00:26:32,960 Speaker 1: I wouldn't even say they need to match what Cleveland 537 00:26:32,960 --> 00:26:38,040 Speaker 1: does because I don't know, really, well, that's impossible. Let 538 00:26:38,040 --> 00:26:42,600 Speaker 1: me rephrase it, it's impossible that can happen. But do 539 00:26:42,720 --> 00:26:46,040 Speaker 1: you try to establish the run and chew clock and 540 00:26:46,160 --> 00:26:49,720 Speaker 1: keep the ball away from Cleveland, or do you kind 541 00:26:49,720 --> 00:26:53,159 Speaker 1: of lean on the passing game, maybe get some explosives 542 00:26:53,680 --> 00:26:56,480 Speaker 1: and try to get out in front early and you know, 543 00:26:56,680 --> 00:27:00,760 Speaker 1: hopefully lean on your running game in the second half. Yeah, 544 00:27:00,800 --> 00:27:02,360 Speaker 1: I think I think you rely on the run game. 545 00:27:02,400 --> 00:27:05,760 Speaker 1: And I think that's part of why yesterday worked so 546 00:27:05,800 --> 00:27:07,800 Speaker 1: well for the offense. Like, like we said earlier, the 547 00:27:07,880 --> 00:27:13,359 Speaker 1: run game wasn't lethal per se, but it was competent 548 00:27:13,520 --> 00:27:17,679 Speaker 1: enough where it kept Houston honest and that allowed for 549 00:27:17,800 --> 00:27:21,040 Speaker 1: Justin and the and the offensive playmakers, the wide receiver 550 00:27:21,080 --> 00:27:23,920 Speaker 1: and tied end to flourish. So I think that's really 551 00:27:23,960 --> 00:27:25,840 Speaker 1: the recipe of how of how it's going to work 552 00:27:25,840 --> 00:27:29,119 Speaker 1: for the Chargers at this point. I don't think the 553 00:27:29,160 --> 00:27:30,720 Speaker 1: Chargers are going to be a team that rushes for 554 00:27:30,760 --> 00:27:33,000 Speaker 1: two hundred yards a game, but if they can keep 555 00:27:33,040 --> 00:27:36,280 Speaker 1: it around, you know, ninety one hundred yards and be 556 00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:39,520 Speaker 1: consistent there, that will open up the passing game. And 557 00:27:39,560 --> 00:27:42,399 Speaker 1: that's really where, like I said earlier, the chunk players 558 00:27:42,400 --> 00:27:44,080 Speaker 1: are going to come and the big players are going 559 00:27:44,119 --> 00:27:47,320 Speaker 1: to come. And I think I think we talked about 560 00:27:47,320 --> 00:27:50,640 Speaker 1: being a balanced offense. I think it's the Chargers maybe 561 00:27:50,720 --> 00:27:53,320 Speaker 1: skew a little bit more towards being more of a 562 00:27:53,359 --> 00:27:56,760 Speaker 1: home run team passing the ball. But in order to 563 00:27:56,880 --> 00:27:59,240 Speaker 1: do that, they have to run the ball effectively. And 564 00:27:59,280 --> 00:28:01,480 Speaker 1: that's what we thought against the Tech and hopefully what 565 00:28:01,600 --> 00:28:04,600 Speaker 1: with the Funday against the Brown Hailey, what do you think, 566 00:28:04,640 --> 00:28:06,320 Speaker 1: because you know, obviously we don't know how it's going 567 00:28:06,359 --> 00:28:08,280 Speaker 1: to play out. I mean, you could say the Chargers 568 00:28:08,320 --> 00:28:10,680 Speaker 1: can establish the run in the second half and get 569 00:28:10,720 --> 00:28:13,919 Speaker 1: off to a big lead, but it's almost like strength 570 00:28:13,960 --> 00:28:17,680 Speaker 1: for strength and Obviously, the Browns strength is running the football, 571 00:28:18,200 --> 00:28:20,960 Speaker 1: and the Charger strength, frankly is justin Herbert and what 572 00:28:21,040 --> 00:28:23,879 Speaker 1: he can do spreading the ball around and getting it 573 00:28:23,880 --> 00:28:27,239 Speaker 1: to his playmakers. Yeah, it's a good question, and I 574 00:28:27,280 --> 00:28:29,480 Speaker 1: think again, I just kind of go back to that 575 00:28:29,640 --> 00:28:32,119 Speaker 1: game last year because at some point it just broke 576 00:28:32,160 --> 00:28:34,280 Speaker 1: open and, like you said, just you never know how 577 00:28:34,320 --> 00:28:36,240 Speaker 1: it's how it's going to play out, and it turned 578 00:28:36,240 --> 00:28:39,880 Speaker 1: into a shootout essentially that game did. So I think 579 00:28:40,920 --> 00:28:42,600 Speaker 1: I think you're right. I don't think you can match 580 00:28:42,640 --> 00:28:45,400 Speaker 1: the ground game, but I think what we saw at 581 00:28:45,480 --> 00:28:49,239 Speaker 1: least from that final drive that the Chargers offense put up, 582 00:28:49,240 --> 00:28:51,680 Speaker 1: you know, twelve plays eighty four yards and twelve plays, 583 00:28:51,680 --> 00:28:54,800 Speaker 1: you were able to sustain something for a long period 584 00:28:54,800 --> 00:28:56,600 Speaker 1: of time and ultimately cap it off with a score. 585 00:28:57,160 --> 00:28:59,240 Speaker 1: So I just think you just have to be smart 586 00:28:59,280 --> 00:29:03,160 Speaker 1: about what your game plan is. But knowing defensively, the 587 00:29:03,200 --> 00:29:06,600 Speaker 1: biggest challenge comes in containing their rushing attack, knowing that 588 00:29:06,600 --> 00:29:08,520 Speaker 1: that's what they're going to do first and foremost. So 589 00:29:08,960 --> 00:29:11,320 Speaker 1: I think that there are options that the Chargers offense has, 590 00:29:12,920 --> 00:29:14,880 Speaker 1: but you know, I just think it's it's going to 591 00:29:14,960 --> 00:29:16,480 Speaker 1: come down. You know, we hear this a lot. And 592 00:29:16,520 --> 00:29:18,560 Speaker 1: this is something with Brandon Staley and his team that 593 00:29:18,600 --> 00:29:20,160 Speaker 1: I've I've thought a lot about. I talked to a 594 00:29:20,160 --> 00:29:22,240 Speaker 1: couple of players in the off season about just how 595 00:29:22,720 --> 00:29:26,280 Speaker 1: he really does fine tune game plans, the entire coaching 596 00:29:26,280 --> 00:29:28,440 Speaker 1: staff does two opponents, and so this has got to 597 00:29:28,480 --> 00:29:31,000 Speaker 1: be one of those games that you literally have to 598 00:29:31,000 --> 00:29:32,800 Speaker 1: look at this other team and go, Okay, we may 599 00:29:32,840 --> 00:29:35,240 Speaker 1: not be able to match them here, how can we 600 00:29:35,280 --> 00:29:38,440 Speaker 1: do it in another situation in another area. And that's 601 00:29:38,440 --> 00:29:40,720 Speaker 1: what I certainly believe is going to happen for this week, 602 00:29:40,760 --> 00:29:43,280 Speaker 1: and hopefully we'll see off. We'll see payoff with a 603 00:29:43,320 --> 00:29:47,160 Speaker 1: win next Sunday. Last thing, guys, and I'm putting you 604 00:29:47,160 --> 00:29:48,680 Speaker 1: both on the spot and put myself off the spot 605 00:29:48,680 --> 00:29:50,320 Speaker 1: because I don't even have an answer to this right now, 606 00:29:50,360 --> 00:29:52,840 Speaker 1: but like giving you like an X factor player on 607 00:29:52,880 --> 00:29:55,640 Speaker 1: the Chargers that's going to have to play really well 608 00:29:55,800 --> 00:29:58,479 Speaker 1: Eric on Sunday in order if the Charges get win 609 00:29:58,560 --> 00:30:03,600 Speaker 1: number three. Hmmm, yeah, putting me on the spot. Yeah, 610 00:30:03,640 --> 00:30:06,240 Speaker 1: you know, it's Monday. I've figured to get going. Get 611 00:30:06,240 --> 00:30:12,720 Speaker 1: you ready for Brown's Week? Now you got my coffee ready? Um? Yeah, 612 00:30:12,800 --> 00:30:16,360 Speaker 1: I mean I'm gonna put Sebastium, Joseph Day pretty much 613 00:30:16,360 --> 00:30:19,880 Speaker 1: the whole interior of the of the Chargers defensive line. Um, 614 00:30:19,960 --> 00:30:21,680 Speaker 1: they're gonna be talked about that they need to stop 615 00:30:21,680 --> 00:30:24,720 Speaker 1: the run. I thought that group honestly played really well yesterday. 616 00:30:24,720 --> 00:30:28,480 Speaker 1: Agan the path Um, Morgan Fox and Um, you know 617 00:30:28,560 --> 00:30:30,920 Speaker 1: Jerry Taylory, all that, all those guys. They played great 618 00:30:30,920 --> 00:30:33,520 Speaker 1: against the path Um. But they're gonna have to play 619 00:30:33,600 --> 00:30:36,120 Speaker 1: fantastic against the run order in order to get it done. 620 00:30:36,240 --> 00:30:38,800 Speaker 1: So I'll say, I'll say the back in kind of 621 00:30:38,800 --> 00:30:41,920 Speaker 1: who's the leader of that group, but that whole interior 622 00:30:41,960 --> 00:30:45,920 Speaker 1: of the D line. Helly, what about you y'all flip 623 00:30:45,960 --> 00:30:48,760 Speaker 1: it in. Just talk about the Chargers offensive line. If 624 00:30:49,040 --> 00:30:51,360 Speaker 1: this is the big if, if you have Clowney and 625 00:30:51,400 --> 00:30:53,880 Speaker 1: if you have Garrett active on Sunday, just being able 626 00:30:53,920 --> 00:30:56,840 Speaker 1: to hold your own against those guys who we know 627 00:30:57,000 --> 00:31:00,880 Speaker 1: or fearsome pass rushers in this league. Just being able 628 00:31:00,920 --> 00:31:03,280 Speaker 1: as much as Justin Herbert had time yesterday, is he 629 00:31:03,320 --> 00:31:06,000 Speaker 1: going to have that time this coming Sunday? Those guys 630 00:31:06,000 --> 00:31:08,760 Speaker 1: are able to hold their own in a much louder environment. 631 00:31:08,800 --> 00:31:12,960 Speaker 1: As we talked about, most likely a much more intense environment, 632 00:31:13,040 --> 00:31:15,479 Speaker 1: if you will. So if you want to take you know, 633 00:31:15,640 --> 00:31:18,080 Speaker 1: take it to the offense, put it on those guys 634 00:31:18,080 --> 00:31:21,360 Speaker 1: to maybe hold their own. If those Browns defenders are 635 00:31:21,440 --> 00:31:25,560 Speaker 1: indeed active. Yeah, I agree with you. I think Pipkins 636 00:31:25,560 --> 00:31:28,160 Speaker 1: and Sawyer are the guys that have to hold their own. 637 00:31:28,840 --> 00:31:31,840 Speaker 1: Keep Justin upright, so Justin can make plays down the field. 638 00:31:31,880 --> 00:31:35,040 Speaker 1: And you know, it's Monday, so we don't really know 639 00:31:35,080 --> 00:31:37,400 Speaker 1: what's going to happen. In terms of injuries. The hope 640 00:31:37,440 --> 00:31:39,680 Speaker 1: is Keenan Allen will come back sooner than later. It 641 00:31:39,680 --> 00:31:41,920 Speaker 1: would be awesome to have him back. If you're the 642 00:31:42,000 --> 00:31:45,600 Speaker 1: Chargers offense, impair him with Mike Williams again, because things 643 00:31:45,640 --> 00:31:49,480 Speaker 1: just seem to be even more in sync offensively when 644 00:31:49,560 --> 00:31:52,880 Speaker 1: Keenan's out there. So it's gonna be fun. Coach Daley 645 00:31:52,960 --> 00:31:56,840 Speaker 1: will speak later today. Eric will have you covered there 646 00:31:57,000 --> 00:32:02,440 Speaker 1: and game week week is in the books. Week five 647 00:32:02,720 --> 00:32:06,400 Speaker 1: Cleveland on Sunday for Haley and Eric. I'm Chris. This 648 00:32:06,440 --> 00:32:14,360 Speaker 1: has been the final drive h