1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:02,800 Speaker 1: All right, guys, before we get started, a big thank 2 00:00:02,880 --> 00:00:06,439 Speaker 1: you to our partner Microsoft, Windows eleven, the official operating 3 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:09,520 Speaker 1: system of the NFL and the exclusive sponsor of the 4 00:00:09,640 --> 00:00:12,520 Speaker 1: LA Chargers. They all new Windows eleven. They're here to 5 00:00:12,520 --> 00:00:14,840 Speaker 1: bring it closer to what you love, like the Chargers 6 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:17,680 Speaker 1: in the Final Drive. Learned about all the awesome new 7 00:00:17,720 --> 00:00:22,680 Speaker 1: features of Windows eleven at Windows dot com, and welcome 8 00:00:22,720 --> 00:00:26,239 Speaker 1: in to a winning edition of the Final Drive for 9 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:30,720 Speaker 1: Haley Elwood. I'm Chris Hayry. Chargers beat the Broncos thirty 10 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:37,680 Speaker 1: four thirteen and guess what Week eighteen Chargers Raiders winner 11 00:00:37,720 --> 00:00:41,080 Speaker 1: goes to the postseason. Everything failed the Chargers way before 12 00:00:41,159 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 1: the game, Haley. They took care of business. Here we 13 00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:48,240 Speaker 1: go Sunday night and base Yeah. Wow, I mean, what 14 00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:52,200 Speaker 1: a day in and of itself, just starting with those 15 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:54,280 Speaker 1: ten AM games where it really felt like the Ravens 16 00:00:54,280 --> 00:00:56,520 Speaker 1: were in control of that game until the Rams kind 17 00:00:56,520 --> 00:00:58,800 Speaker 1: of came back furiously at the end there to get 18 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:01,200 Speaker 1: the win, which ultimately and up helping the Chargers and 19 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:03,400 Speaker 1: to a point the Raiders as well. I mean, the 20 00:01:03,480 --> 00:01:05,520 Speaker 1: Raiders also took care of their business to get to 21 00:01:05,640 --> 00:01:08,600 Speaker 1: this game in Week eighteen, but just I think a 22 00:01:08,680 --> 00:01:11,640 Speaker 1: really complete performance overall from the Chargers in this win 23 00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:14,600 Speaker 1: over the Denver Broncos, which is something that was missing 24 00:01:14,640 --> 00:01:17,959 Speaker 1: obviously the previous week in Houston against the Texans, but 25 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:21,279 Speaker 1: every phase from offense from defense, which I know Brandon 26 00:01:21,360 --> 00:01:23,280 Speaker 1: Staley said it was, you know, one of the first 27 00:01:23,319 --> 00:01:26,000 Speaker 1: times they had their full starting secondary back, which was 28 00:01:26,040 --> 00:01:28,560 Speaker 1: great and certainly made an impact. And then you look 29 00:01:28,560 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 1: at what Andrey Roberts did on special teams too and 30 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:33,080 Speaker 1: the impact that he had there. So just a really 31 00:01:33,080 --> 00:01:36,480 Speaker 1: complete performance overall, which is what you want to have 32 00:01:36,720 --> 00:01:39,080 Speaker 1: as you get into this final week of the regular 33 00:01:39,080 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 1: season in a must win game, in a game that 34 00:01:42,080 --> 00:01:45,440 Speaker 1: really means everything to get you into the postseason. Everyone 35 00:01:45,520 --> 00:01:47,720 Speaker 1: said last week, you know the playoffs start against Denver. 36 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:49,680 Speaker 1: I mean, that's the mindset you got to have, because 37 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 1: that's certainly what's on the table this week against Vegas. 38 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:56,560 Speaker 1: For sure. We will talk about Justin Herbert in his record, 39 00:01:57,600 --> 00:02:00,720 Speaker 1: but I wanted to start with the defense because there 40 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:04,240 Speaker 1: was two glaring issues against the Houston Texas third down 41 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:07,280 Speaker 1: defense Davis Mills and company were nine of thirteen and 42 00:02:08,440 --> 00:02:11,079 Speaker 1: rushing defense one hundred and eighty nine yards stay out 43 00:02:11,280 --> 00:02:15,440 Speaker 1: the Texans on the ground. Get your guys back, seems 44 00:02:15,480 --> 00:02:18,960 Speaker 1: the battle right getting Joey Bosa and Justin Jones and 45 00:02:19,760 --> 00:02:24,080 Speaker 1: Durwin James back in the lineup. The Broncos were three 46 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:28,200 Speaker 1: of eleven on third down and the combination of Williams 47 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:33,200 Speaker 1: and Gordon eighty three rushing yards. I thought the defense 48 00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:37,360 Speaker 1: needed to respond, even the guys who were on the field. 49 00:02:38,360 --> 00:02:41,840 Speaker 1: It took a collective effort Sunday against the Broncos. The 50 00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:44,919 Speaker 1: show this is the defense that we can be because 51 00:02:45,240 --> 00:02:47,200 Speaker 1: that duo of Williams at court. I know they were 52 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:51,280 Speaker 1: shut down the week before in Vegas, but they've been 53 00:02:51,960 --> 00:02:54,720 Speaker 1: one of the best duos in all the NFL, and 54 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:58,480 Speaker 1: the Chargers were able to bollow them up. It's a 55 00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:01,000 Speaker 1: really good tanem right there. I mean them previously in 56 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:02,840 Speaker 1: the season and what they were able to do against 57 00:03:02,880 --> 00:03:05,840 Speaker 1: this Chargers defense. But really, I think when you look 58 00:03:05,880 --> 00:03:07,840 Speaker 1: at kind of what Brandon Staley said last night, he 59 00:03:07,880 --> 00:03:10,560 Speaker 1: said the run defense impacted the third down defense, when 60 00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:12,840 Speaker 1: then the secondary performed at a high level. So it's 61 00:03:12,880 --> 00:03:15,520 Speaker 1: really all of those units working together and coming together. 62 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:17,919 Speaker 1: You think of that goal line stand that Justin Jones 63 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:21,400 Speaker 1: was really single handedly almost responsible for him the third. Yeah, 64 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:24,360 Speaker 1: just the impact that he makes up front is huge, 65 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:26,560 Speaker 1: and I think last week, you know, he's a big 66 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:29,919 Speaker 1: piece of this defensive line and their ability to stop 67 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:31,919 Speaker 1: the run. And when you go back to last week 68 00:03:31,960 --> 00:03:34,519 Speaker 1: against Houston, you obviously think of guys like Joey who 69 00:03:34,520 --> 00:03:36,520 Speaker 1: were out, but he's a you know, his presence was 70 00:03:36,600 --> 00:03:39,120 Speaker 1: certain or lack of presence was certainly felt there as well. 71 00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:42,920 Speaker 1: It was really just a very complete effort overall. And 72 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:45,080 Speaker 1: again I kind of go back to just looking at 73 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:47,320 Speaker 1: at what Staley said last night and just the way 74 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:49,760 Speaker 1: that all those kind of units ended up working together 75 00:03:49,880 --> 00:03:53,760 Speaker 1: to really make their entire defensive unit work at the 76 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:57,080 Speaker 1: utmost potential that they had, and that was really pleasant 77 00:03:57,080 --> 00:03:59,560 Speaker 1: to see and great to see, and especially when you 78 00:03:59,600 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 1: get a good test of a really really good running 79 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:06,360 Speaker 1: back tandem in this league against like you mentioned Javonte 80 00:04:06,440 --> 00:04:09,800 Speaker 1: Williams and in Melvin Gordon with the Broncos. So really 81 00:04:09,800 --> 00:04:12,960 Speaker 1: good effort there, and I think, again, just really positive 82 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:15,440 Speaker 1: because you didn't want to have to end your season 83 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:18,160 Speaker 1: on the note that you left in Houston. You want 84 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:20,479 Speaker 1: to obviously get better at something. Brandon Stalia said this 85 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:23,160 Speaker 1: entire year player best football at the end. So if 86 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:25,279 Speaker 1: you can put a performance like this together, hopefully that 87 00:04:25,360 --> 00:04:28,680 Speaker 1: catapults you to something really great next week against the Raiders. 88 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:31,719 Speaker 1: I should mention ten of those eighty three yards were 89 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:34,919 Speaker 1: Drew Locke. So the combination of Gordon and Williams just 90 00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:38,080 Speaker 1: seventy three yards on the ground. And you know we 91 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:40,760 Speaker 1: did this exactly a week ago, and I know people 92 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:44,920 Speaker 1: were upset with that performance in Houston. What a difference 93 00:04:44,960 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 1: a week makes in the NFL, right, I mean, what 94 00:04:47,480 --> 00:04:51,200 Speaker 1: a difference getting your guys back means. And I tell 95 00:04:51,200 --> 00:04:55,039 Speaker 1: you this, if just Joey or just Durwin or just 96 00:04:55,240 --> 00:04:57,719 Speaker 1: Mike Williams was in that Houston game, perhaps it would 97 00:04:57,720 --> 00:05:01,560 Speaker 1: have been a little bit different Offensively. It was good 98 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:04,000 Speaker 1: to see Austin Ekeler back in the mix. His eighth 99 00:05:04,520 --> 00:05:08,080 Speaker 1: one yard game and took terms of a total yards scrimmage. 100 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:12,400 Speaker 1: He had a touchdown. Mike Williams three for sixty three, 101 00:05:13,160 --> 00:05:17,000 Speaker 1: the forty five yard bomb, the record breaker for Justin Herbert. 102 00:05:17,560 --> 00:05:19,440 Speaker 1: Think about this, hailer. You go from Drew Brees to 103 00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:23,080 Speaker 1: Philip Rivers to Justin Herbert in Justin Herbert's second year 104 00:05:23,160 --> 00:05:27,599 Speaker 1: with the team, he passes Philip Rivers for touchdown passes 105 00:05:27,640 --> 00:05:30,280 Speaker 1: in a single season. It's crazy to me to think 106 00:05:30,320 --> 00:05:33,440 Speaker 1: that Philip also never threw more than thirty four in 107 00:05:33,520 --> 00:05:35,840 Speaker 1: a given right he's in in a single season. I mean, 108 00:05:35,880 --> 00:05:38,359 Speaker 1: granted though, when he was kind of took you know, 109 00:05:38,360 --> 00:05:40,400 Speaker 1: when he took the reins of these Chargers offenses, you 110 00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:43,680 Speaker 1: had guys like LaDainian Tomlins, and I thought about that, Yeah, 111 00:05:43,760 --> 00:05:45,440 Speaker 1: we just we just did this whole running for history, 112 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:47,919 Speaker 1: you know. I had the same thought. And then I 113 00:05:47,960 --> 00:05:50,200 Speaker 1: was like, okay, wait, hold on, LT had all those 114 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:53,520 Speaker 1: touchdowns too, and he did played an arrow with some 115 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:56,160 Speaker 1: pretty good running. Nice Yeah, exactly. So I think that's 116 00:05:56,520 --> 00:05:58,440 Speaker 1: part of it. But it is crazy to look back 117 00:05:58,560 --> 00:06:01,680 Speaker 1: at that and only go through four hump. But I'm 118 00:06:01,720 --> 00:06:03,960 Speaker 1: telling you, I've said this on some other podcasts and 119 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:05,760 Speaker 1: things that we've done some other people. When you look 120 00:06:05,760 --> 00:06:07,919 Speaker 1: at franchises, you know, you look at the Niners, you 121 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:09,520 Speaker 1: look at the Packers, and you can look at the 122 00:06:09,560 --> 00:06:11,760 Speaker 1: Chargers now and you just look at the fact that 123 00:06:12,360 --> 00:06:15,400 Speaker 1: you were getting You were so lucky. Chargers fans are 124 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:18,400 Speaker 1: so fortunate and this franchise is so fortunate to go 125 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:21,560 Speaker 1: from someone like Philip Rivers to someone like Justin Herbert, 126 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:23,800 Speaker 1: who is still just lighting it up in his second season, 127 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:26,440 Speaker 1: setting records every week. I mean, I just did a 128 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:29,240 Speaker 1: podcast with the Texans a couple weeks ago and she 129 00:06:29,360 --> 00:06:33,839 Speaker 1: mentioned all the DP see who is our counterpart, mentioned 130 00:06:33,839 --> 00:06:35,640 Speaker 1: all the great things that Herbert's done, and I said, 131 00:06:35,680 --> 00:06:37,400 Speaker 1: I'm not rolling my eyes, but it is crazy. It 132 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:39,840 Speaker 1: feels like every week there is a new accolade that 133 00:06:39,880 --> 00:06:43,280 Speaker 1: he achieves that just has never been done before. And 134 00:06:43,360 --> 00:06:46,360 Speaker 1: it's true, It's absolutely true. So yeah, to hit thirty 135 00:06:46,360 --> 00:06:48,440 Speaker 1: five and it's kind of nice, I'll say this too, 136 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:52,200 Speaker 1: to hit it in the sixteenth game of the season. 137 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:54,160 Speaker 1: So it wasn't like you had the cheater game at 138 00:06:54,240 --> 00:06:57,000 Speaker 1: the end. It wasn't there's no asterisk next to it, 139 00:06:57,040 --> 00:06:59,159 Speaker 1: there no asters next to it. Given the fact that 140 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:02,160 Speaker 1: you have an extra week this season, it is it 141 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:04,440 Speaker 1: was done in the same amount of time that anyone 142 00:07:04,440 --> 00:07:06,960 Speaker 1: else prior to the twenty twenty one season had. So 143 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:10,000 Speaker 1: huge congrats to Justin. This franchise is just so lucky 144 00:07:10,040 --> 00:07:12,880 Speaker 1: with what he's able to do and just where what 145 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:15,560 Speaker 1: the future holds for him too. I know it's only 146 00:07:15,640 --> 00:07:18,800 Speaker 1: year two and he doesn't want any of the credit 147 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:23,120 Speaker 1: or the accolades. He loves to deflect, and you know, 148 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:26,000 Speaker 1: I think that's it's a pretty good quality out of 149 00:07:26,040 --> 00:07:29,440 Speaker 1: your franchise quarterback to not really want the attention of 150 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:32,280 Speaker 1: the records and making it all about the team. And 151 00:07:32,760 --> 00:07:35,800 Speaker 1: you know, honestly, they score thirty four points, I think 152 00:07:35,840 --> 00:07:38,080 Speaker 1: that they can play better. I really think that they're 153 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:41,040 Speaker 1: going to play a little bit better against the Raiders 154 00:07:41,720 --> 00:07:45,120 Speaker 1: to win and get into the postseason. We'll get into 155 00:07:45,120 --> 00:07:47,800 Speaker 1: that Raiders matchup, but just look at some of the 156 00:07:47,840 --> 00:07:52,080 Speaker 1: guys who have kind of been consistent all year, and 157 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:55,640 Speaker 1: one of those guys Kaiser White. Nobody has more tackles 158 00:07:56,280 --> 00:07:59,800 Speaker 1: since two thousand and six than Kaiser White when it 159 00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:04,280 Speaker 1: comes to being a Charger. Donnie Edwards, right, Kaizier is 160 00:08:04,360 --> 00:08:07,200 Speaker 1: all over the field all the time. And I think 161 00:08:07,240 --> 00:08:10,640 Speaker 1: he's a guy we don't talk about a lot, and 162 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:15,320 Speaker 1: he deserves his proper do just his consistency this year 163 00:08:15,600 --> 00:08:18,160 Speaker 1: and what he's meant to that lineback and Coorhiy. He 164 00:08:18,200 --> 00:08:20,920 Speaker 1: also had a really big job yesterday with no Drew Trank, well, 165 00:08:20,920 --> 00:08:23,920 Speaker 1: no Kenneth Murray. Given the injuries and the COVID protocol. 166 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:26,600 Speaker 1: So to do what he did still and make an 167 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:29,640 Speaker 1: impact like that is absolutely huge, and he's really really 168 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:32,200 Speaker 1: come along. He's actually someone I think when you look 169 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:34,880 Speaker 1: at how this defense has changed with Brandon Staley at 170 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:38,520 Speaker 1: the Helm, it's really really benefited him and his time 171 00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:39,920 Speaker 1: in this league. And I know that he's dealt with 172 00:08:39,920 --> 00:08:42,280 Speaker 1: some injuries too throughout his first few years with this 173 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:46,000 Speaker 1: team and whatnot, but he really really has made strides 174 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 1: this year and he's certainly making an impact. And again 175 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:51,080 Speaker 1: in a game where you're kind of the guy you know, 176 00:08:51,200 --> 00:08:53,920 Speaker 1: the other two guys who usually play with are not there, 177 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:57,400 Speaker 1: and to do what he did was definitely big and big. 178 00:08:57,440 --> 00:09:00,640 Speaker 1: Congrats to him for sure. All Right, let's just talk 179 00:09:00,679 --> 00:09:03,960 Speaker 1: about Week eighteen now, let's get to it. Sunday Night Football, 180 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:09,320 Speaker 1: Raiders Chargers winner gets in. I don't think the league 181 00:09:09,360 --> 00:09:12,120 Speaker 1: could have scripted it better. Sunday Night Football certainly couldn't 182 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:16,480 Speaker 1: have scripted it better. Your initial thoughts as we get 183 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:19,200 Speaker 1: into Raider week here, This is a really big game, 184 00:09:19,360 --> 00:09:22,720 Speaker 1: and it's a big game because obviously of the implications 185 00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:26,720 Speaker 1: and everything like that. I don't want to say any 186 00:09:26,720 --> 00:09:28,600 Speaker 1: of us felt like the Raiders were just kind of 187 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:32,040 Speaker 1: going to go away, but they haven't. They have earned 188 00:09:32,080 --> 00:09:34,080 Speaker 1: the place, just like the Chargers have to be in 189 00:09:34,120 --> 00:09:37,319 Speaker 1: this position to win and get in, and you can't 190 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:39,800 Speaker 1: count them out. You can't. I mean, you can go 191 00:09:39,880 --> 00:09:41,640 Speaker 1: back and look at Week four and it is crazy 192 00:09:41,679 --> 00:09:44,640 Speaker 1: how much football and how much trajectory of the season 193 00:09:44,679 --> 00:09:47,640 Speaker 1: has changed since that Week four game where the Chargers 194 00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:49,800 Speaker 1: won twenty eight to fourteen and really were in control 195 00:09:49,880 --> 00:09:52,640 Speaker 1: for most of that game, certainly the first half if 196 00:09:52,640 --> 00:09:54,840 Speaker 1: you go back and look at that. But this is 197 00:09:54,840 --> 00:09:57,160 Speaker 1: just a really really big game. It's interesting too because 198 00:09:57,200 --> 00:09:59,600 Speaker 1: of the divisional aspect to it, and that's why the 199 00:09:59,679 --> 00:10:02,000 Speaker 1: NFL does this, always stack these games at the end 200 00:10:02,040 --> 00:10:04,320 Speaker 1: and hope that you know, something like this does play 201 00:10:04,320 --> 00:10:07,000 Speaker 1: out that you have a play in, essentially, But this 202 00:10:07,120 --> 00:10:08,600 Speaker 1: is just one of those games. I know that they 203 00:10:08,840 --> 00:10:12,000 Speaker 1: beat the Colts obviously in weeks seventeen. It was not pretty. 204 00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:14,960 Speaker 1: Derek Carr believe had just one touchdown with two interceptions, 205 00:10:14,960 --> 00:10:16,800 Speaker 1: but they got the job done. And I think that's 206 00:10:16,880 --> 00:10:19,240 Speaker 1: kind of what you've seen from this team throughout the season, 207 00:10:19,280 --> 00:10:22,000 Speaker 1: and you've seen from this defense as well, is that 208 00:10:22,800 --> 00:10:24,600 Speaker 1: they've been able to get it done to get to 209 00:10:24,640 --> 00:10:27,320 Speaker 1: a point where they're also nine and seven and they 210 00:10:27,360 --> 00:10:29,959 Speaker 1: have an opportunity to get into the playoffs. So this 211 00:10:30,040 --> 00:10:31,880 Speaker 1: is just a really big game from a lot of 212 00:10:31,920 --> 00:10:34,040 Speaker 1: different angles. But you have to look at this Raiders 213 00:10:34,040 --> 00:10:35,640 Speaker 1: team and not count them out, and you know that 214 00:10:35,640 --> 00:10:37,360 Speaker 1: they're going to come in with a fight too. And 215 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:39,680 Speaker 1: it's their home stadium. They have been through a lot 216 00:10:39,960 --> 00:10:43,280 Speaker 1: this season off the field specifically, so I'm sure it's 217 00:10:43,280 --> 00:10:45,640 Speaker 1: going to be a very emotional game as well for 218 00:10:45,720 --> 00:10:48,400 Speaker 1: all sides. But this is a huge, huge matchup and 219 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:50,240 Speaker 1: just kind of fun though that you've got the AFC 220 00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:53,520 Speaker 1: West thing to go to boot with it, because these 221 00:10:53,600 --> 00:10:55,760 Speaker 1: Chargers Raiders games. I mean again, I think of when 222 00:10:55,800 --> 00:10:57,600 Speaker 1: you and I were doing all those Running for History 223 00:10:57,600 --> 00:11:00,760 Speaker 1: interviews and it was like that was you know, that 224 00:11:00,880 --> 00:11:03,000 Speaker 1: was the rival, that was the division you know, the 225 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:05,000 Speaker 1: divisional rival when you go back to those kind of 226 00:11:05,040 --> 00:11:08,800 Speaker 1: early mid two thousands Chargers teams, and it's kind of fun. 227 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:10,800 Speaker 1: It's kind of fun because you obviously think of the 228 00:11:10,880 --> 00:11:12,839 Speaker 1: Chiefs and you think of, you know, the rivalry there 229 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:14,800 Speaker 1: now with Patrick Mahomes. But this is a good one 230 00:11:14,840 --> 00:11:16,800 Speaker 1: because this is four I think it was justin Jones 231 00:11:16,880 --> 00:11:19,120 Speaker 1: or China. Someone tweeted all the marbles, this is it 232 00:11:19,280 --> 00:11:21,920 Speaker 1: ye want to get in. It's for all the marbles. 233 00:11:22,080 --> 00:11:25,480 Speaker 1: And that Raiders team in the two thousands, they were 234 00:11:25,559 --> 00:11:27,880 Speaker 1: very good, and it's like the Chargers beat up on 235 00:11:27,920 --> 00:11:32,200 Speaker 1: them pretty consistently. So I remember Week four, the Monday 236 00:11:32,280 --> 00:11:35,360 Speaker 1: Night game. It was the first game that both teams 237 00:11:35,880 --> 00:11:39,600 Speaker 1: entered the game above five hundred since two thousand and two. 238 00:11:39,679 --> 00:11:41,920 Speaker 1: So this will be the second time since two thousand 239 00:11:41,960 --> 00:11:44,560 Speaker 1: and two. You go back. The only time they ever 240 00:11:44,600 --> 00:11:47,839 Speaker 1: met in the postseason was nineteen eighty one. Raiders beat 241 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:50,280 Speaker 1: the Charges in nineteen eighty one. This is the closest 242 00:11:50,280 --> 00:11:52,840 Speaker 1: thing to a playoff game that you're going to have 243 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:55,800 Speaker 1: between the Chargers and the Raiders. So you could argue 244 00:11:55,920 --> 00:11:59,800 Speaker 1: this is the biggest Chargers Raiders matchup in forty years, 245 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:04,040 Speaker 1: and all the storylines to boot right, we got we 246 00:12:04,120 --> 00:12:06,520 Speaker 1: got a lot of former Chargers on the other side, 247 00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:09,839 Speaker 1: and Denzel Perryman and Casey Hayward and Gus Bradley and 248 00:12:10,360 --> 00:12:13,360 Speaker 1: coach Milo and um list goes on and on a 249 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:18,160 Speaker 1: file on Square Teamer, I mean, Richard, Yeah, it's gonna 250 00:12:18,160 --> 00:12:23,480 Speaker 1: be like it's one of those games where the rivalry 251 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:29,040 Speaker 1: gets fans excited and the buzz around leading up to 252 00:12:29,160 --> 00:12:32,319 Speaker 1: Sunday is what football is all about. Really. I mean, 253 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:35,760 Speaker 1: if you don't have the buzz throughout the week, you know, 254 00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:38,560 Speaker 1: what does the game really matter? You know? This is 255 00:12:38,600 --> 00:12:41,240 Speaker 1: something that I think fans are going to be really 256 00:12:41,280 --> 00:12:44,240 Speaker 1: excited about throughout the week because it's winning you're end 257 00:12:44,880 --> 00:12:47,920 Speaker 1: and to beat a division rival to get into the 258 00:12:47,960 --> 00:12:50,959 Speaker 1: tournament makes it that much sweeter. Oh yeah, that much 259 00:12:50,960 --> 00:12:53,719 Speaker 1: sweeter for sure. And you know that, you know, whatever 260 00:12:53,880 --> 00:12:55,880 Speaker 1: happens if if you do get in, you're gonna have 261 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:57,920 Speaker 1: to go on the road. That's where you know what 262 00:12:58,040 --> 00:13:00,440 Speaker 1: your path to to back to so far, I guess 263 00:13:00,480 --> 00:13:02,559 Speaker 1: if you will is going to be you're gonna have 264 00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:04,080 Speaker 1: to go on the road. So it's a good challenge 265 00:13:04,120 --> 00:13:06,640 Speaker 1: because that environment, I'm sure is going to be just crazy. 266 00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:10,080 Speaker 1: I neither of us has been there. Yeah, but I 267 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:13,400 Speaker 1: can't even imagine what that Vegas stadium is like with fans, 268 00:13:13,400 --> 00:13:16,360 Speaker 1: and especially with Raiders fans who know that there's a 269 00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:18,880 Speaker 1: playoff berth on the line. And I'm sure actually you'll 270 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:20,800 Speaker 1: probably get a good amount of Chargers fans there too. 271 00:13:20,840 --> 00:13:22,880 Speaker 1: It's Vegas it's you know, who wouldn't want to go 272 00:13:22,960 --> 00:13:25,200 Speaker 1: to Vegas And this game actually means a ton. But 273 00:13:25,960 --> 00:13:27,960 Speaker 1: this is a really good test just in terms of 274 00:13:27,960 --> 00:13:30,040 Speaker 1: knowing that if you do get that wild card spot, 275 00:13:30,240 --> 00:13:31,960 Speaker 1: you're going to have to go on the road. And again, 276 00:13:31,960 --> 00:13:34,040 Speaker 1: it really starts this week. It started last week certainly 277 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:36,920 Speaker 1: against Denver this past Sunday, but it really really starts 278 00:13:36,960 --> 00:13:38,920 Speaker 1: this week in terms of just getting that mindset of 279 00:13:38,960 --> 00:13:42,400 Speaker 1: like we got to go into an opponent, an opponent's house, 280 00:13:42,640 --> 00:13:45,960 Speaker 1: enemy territory, and just get the job done. Hundred are right. 281 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:49,439 Speaker 1: It's great point because it's almost like this this is 282 00:13:49,480 --> 00:13:51,280 Speaker 1: a playoff. Gave me this is what you will have 283 00:13:51,360 --> 00:13:54,360 Speaker 1: to do the following week if you do win. Of 284 00:13:54,520 --> 00:13:56,040 Speaker 1: you guys to go on the road a few times 285 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:58,680 Speaker 1: to get back to sofa, that path back to sofy, 286 00:13:58,760 --> 00:14:01,360 Speaker 1: like you said, And I look at the some of 287 00:14:01,360 --> 00:14:03,440 Speaker 1: the wins that the Chargers have had on the road 288 00:14:03,520 --> 00:14:06,760 Speaker 1: this year, starting at Arrowhead. Really, I mean you could 289 00:14:06,800 --> 00:14:09,120 Speaker 1: you could say starting in Washington, but but really the 290 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:13,800 Speaker 1: big game in Arrowhead. Um, look at what the Philadelphia 291 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:17,320 Speaker 1: Eagles have done. It is that that Chargers game, Um, 292 00:14:17,600 --> 00:14:19,880 Speaker 1: they have turned it on. You know, so it was 293 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:22,760 Speaker 1: not easy for the Chargers to go into Philadelphia and 294 00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:25,680 Speaker 1: win that game. It was not easy for the Chargers 295 00:14:25,720 --> 00:14:28,760 Speaker 1: to go into Cincinnati and win a game against the Bengals, 296 00:14:28,760 --> 00:14:30,840 Speaker 1: team who everybody's talking about right now is being the 297 00:14:30,880 --> 00:14:34,320 Speaker 1: hottest team in the AFC um deservedly so, because they 298 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:37,960 Speaker 1: they just took down the Chiefs and did it in 299 00:14:37,520 --> 00:14:40,520 Speaker 1: h an emphatic fashion with Jamar Jason the way he played. 300 00:14:40,600 --> 00:14:43,200 Speaker 1: But basically, what I'm saying is the Charge has been 301 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:45,800 Speaker 1: battle tested on the road and I think they have 302 00:14:45,920 --> 00:14:49,200 Speaker 1: those experience to harket back to. And um, this is 303 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:51,480 Speaker 1: a game against the Raiders that you know, you know 304 00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:54,640 Speaker 1: this team as well as any team in the NFL, 305 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:58,280 Speaker 1: and god, I just I can't wait for it. I really, like, 306 00:14:58,840 --> 00:15:01,600 Speaker 1: you know, you go from a game last week in 307 00:15:01,680 --> 00:15:03,720 Speaker 1: Houston where there was really no energy and there was 308 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:06,600 Speaker 1: so much uncertainty with who's going to play, and you know, 309 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:09,840 Speaker 1: you hope with all the COVID protocols that a majority 310 00:15:09,840 --> 00:15:11,680 Speaker 1: of the guys are in on both sides now, But like, 311 00:15:12,720 --> 00:15:17,040 Speaker 1: is playoff football before the playoffs start, and it's you 312 00:15:17,080 --> 00:15:19,480 Speaker 1: mentioned like you can't wait, and unfortunately, but in a 313 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:21,880 Speaker 1: good way, there's gonna be a long period of waiting 314 00:15:22,480 --> 00:15:24,880 Speaker 1: because it's the Sunday night game, which is the right move. 315 00:15:24,960 --> 00:15:27,360 Speaker 1: It absolutely had to be on all day, wait and 316 00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:30,080 Speaker 1: all day. Scary Underwood says, wait and all day, all week, 317 00:15:30,280 --> 00:15:32,520 Speaker 1: all through Saturday, because there's two games on Saturday this 318 00:15:32,600 --> 00:15:34,840 Speaker 1: week too. But you know, hey, Week eighteen a lot 319 00:15:34,840 --> 00:15:37,400 Speaker 1: of fun. But no, I mean, you're absolutely right. It's 320 00:15:37,400 --> 00:15:41,120 Speaker 1: just you really kind of can't ask for anything more 321 00:15:41,120 --> 00:15:43,880 Speaker 1: given that you have an opportunity to win and get 322 00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:46,160 Speaker 1: in and to do it against a team like you 323 00:15:46,160 --> 00:15:48,480 Speaker 1: said that you know really well. Both these teams know 324 00:15:48,520 --> 00:15:50,320 Speaker 1: each other very very well. It's going to be interesting 325 00:15:50,320 --> 00:15:52,080 Speaker 1: if there are any sort of like wrinkles that either 326 00:15:52,160 --> 00:15:54,320 Speaker 1: team kind of throws out and sort of, you know, 327 00:15:54,400 --> 00:15:57,680 Speaker 1: does to sort of throw the other off their game. 328 00:15:57,800 --> 00:16:00,320 Speaker 1: But it's gonna be a good one. It's it's really 329 00:16:00,320 --> 00:16:01,520 Speaker 1: going to be a good one. Like I said, the 330 00:16:01,640 --> 00:16:03,960 Speaker 1: NFL does this for a reason. They stack these divisional 331 00:16:03,960 --> 00:16:05,560 Speaker 1: games at the end of the season for a reason. 332 00:16:06,320 --> 00:16:09,560 Speaker 1: And to have everything go the Chargers way in Week 333 00:16:09,680 --> 00:16:13,200 Speaker 1: seventeen for the help that they needed and again to 334 00:16:13,240 --> 00:16:15,600 Speaker 1: the Raiders credit as well, and both teams got the 335 00:16:15,680 --> 00:16:17,520 Speaker 1: job done on their own and to get to this point, 336 00:16:17,880 --> 00:16:21,640 Speaker 1: it's gonna be awesome, and hopefully next week we'll have 337 00:16:21,680 --> 00:16:24,800 Speaker 1: a winning edition. But until then, it's just going to 338 00:16:24,840 --> 00:16:29,320 Speaker 1: be a really really fun week of preparation and getting ready. 339 00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:31,720 Speaker 1: And you hope with these COVID protocols, you know, you 340 00:16:31,760 --> 00:16:34,200 Speaker 1: hope all these teams are as healthy as they can 341 00:16:34,280 --> 00:16:36,360 Speaker 1: be going into this one too. But I will say, 342 00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:38,560 Speaker 1: you know, that adjustment that they made last week certainly 343 00:16:38,600 --> 00:16:41,520 Speaker 1: help the Chargers, certainly help some other teams as well 344 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:44,880 Speaker 1: get to this point. But it's gonna be a good one. 345 00:16:45,080 --> 00:16:47,480 Speaker 1: Week eighteen. Hey, I'll go back to what Dan Fouts 346 00:16:47,520 --> 00:16:50,080 Speaker 1: told me and what I mentioned last week on this podcast. 347 00:16:50,120 --> 00:16:53,400 Speaker 1: It's an opportunity. This is a huge, huge opportunity. This 348 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:55,760 Speaker 1: bonus game is an opportunity for a lot of teams 349 00:16:55,800 --> 00:17:00,120 Speaker 1: and to have it mean something is really really special. Well, 350 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:02,920 Speaker 1: have you covered all week dive into this matchup with 351 00:17:02,960 --> 00:17:07,480 Speaker 1: Playmakers and Chargers weekly getting you set for Sunday night football. 352 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:10,520 Speaker 1: Like you said, it's gonna be a good one. We'll 353 00:17:10,600 --> 00:17:12,919 Speaker 1: leave it at that. Apparently on what I'm Chris Avery, 354 00:17:12,960 --> 00:17:18,720 Speaker 1: this has been the final Drive presented by Windows eleven m.