Chargers Vs Cowboys Week 16 Preview | LA Chargers

Chargers Vs Cowboys Week 16 Preview | LA Chargers

has a lane 1510. Touchdown Chargers. >> What’s up, guys? Welcome into a week 16 edition of Chargers Weekly. We are presented by Splatterero. As always, joined by the voice of the Chargers, Matt Money Smith. Money, I would urge people before they watch this podcast, go watch the mini movie, right? 15 to 18 minutes. I wish it was 35 minutes. probably could have been 35 minutes. I don’t know about you, I was thinking about this, probably the biggest win in the Jim Harbaugh era, but going back to just 2017, the move to Los Angeles, I don’t know if there was a bigger win. >> Fair question. Um, you know, considering the Chiefs were already in the midst of their their run with Alex Smith. Remember, Patrick Mahomes first ever start was against the Chargers. It was a week one uh week one game. and since he’s become their starter, seven straight AFC Championship games, uh have dominated the AFC West. I think it was 52 and 11 going into that game against the Chargers. Um and they’re the ones that that end it, you know, and they didn’t just end it, they ended it by accounting for 25% of their losses this season. You know, the fact that they got him in week one and and all, you know, to set the tone for the year and then got him in in week 15 to to end it. Um you hate to see the Patrick Mahomes injury. That sucks. But, um, sounds like he’s, you know, good surgery and and he’s expecting to be back for week one, so that’s good. But, yeah, I think that’s fair. It’s hard to, you know, is this one bigger than the one against the Eagles Monday night at the moment? I get it. >> But, but I know what you mean. Like, because for all intents and purposes, there’s still a little bit of work to be done. I know Harbaugh, >> you know, slapped me upside the head if you heard me say it. They’re they’re in the playoffs. It feels like um with the conference record, they needed that AFC win. They got it. And um yeah, it was it was big. It felt big. Felt big on the plane on the way home, you know, like yeah, that’s that’s what we set out to do. They’re the division champs. In order to be the division champs, you got to knock out the the reigning champs. And they were able to do that. >> I think just the parallel has you said it, you know, Mahomes’ first start was against the Chargers. And ever since the the Bolts moved up to LA, I mean, the Chiefs have been the class of the division, the class of the conference, and to beat them in that fashion where Derwin James intercepts Gardner Mchu, but basically runs Travis Kelce’s route for him. >> Yeah. um the way that that game ended, the way that um the the Chiefs dynasty, you know, this iteration of it at least ended because very well could have been the last time we saw Mahomes and Kelsey on the field together. Uh we’ve seen so many of these games and that’s why I was kind of racking my brain. I remember 2018 exactly seven years ago, my favorite call from you with the Mike Williams two-point conversion. I I remember the Pittsburgh game in 2018, uh the Baltimore playoff game. This one felt different because it it almost signaled like this is why they brought Jim Harbaugh in, right? To to kind of turn the tide with the Chargers, kind of a a pivot point maybe in the division. And yes, that Eagles game was huge, but it just it felt more significant beating the Chiefs. >> Yeah, for me I I think um when you mentioned Jim Harbaugh, to me it’s the style that they played, right? It’s the fact that they were bullies. Like they the Chargers against the Eagles and the Chargers against the Chiefs, they were bullies. And and I know I I say it to a point that it starts to annoy some people, but you know, it’s just my connection with Harbaugh was calling all those Stanford games. And I remember just watching him change the perception of what this team was and and build this this machine that when they got off the bus, the team on the other sideline was like, “Ah, s like man, we’re going to get our heads kicked in today.” And I think that’s what we’re seeing over these since the buy. what Jesse Miner’s been able to do, what the philosophy of this team has been, what Deion Henley, the message that he sent to this team before that game, what Derwin James, Khalil Mack, you just think of these players, right? These vocal the fact that Tulie’s become more vocal. The violence with which he plays, it’s turning into like one of those kind of teams like, “Hey, man, it’s going to be six.” Remember Hayden Hurst when he had his presser and he was like, you know, our goal is to walk off that field at the end of the game and have the other team make sure they’re going to feel it next week. Yeah. And I feel like that’s what this Charger team is now. That this is with the sixth offensive lineman, with the tight ends, with the defense, the way they’re playing. Koway and Tulie and DP had some big hits in that game, too. starting to coalesce and it’s starting to crystallize into kind of what we thought we would see. >> Yeah. Let’s let’s stay with the defense. We’ll get into the offense and just kind of the the style of play that Dave kind of had had to do by necessity the last three weeks, but just defensively, especially late in games, Bunny, I have never seen a more physical violent game from this Chargers defense than I saw on Sunday. And you know, a lot of the same players, but like you know, there’s a reason why Tony Jefferson’s been in the league as long as he has. He knows what these big games mean. Um, the violence in which he played, the Rashid Rice, tough day for Rasheed Rice at the office. The the hit that Tony laid on Rasheed Rice, the hit that Derwin James laid on Rashid Rice. Um, there’s this physicality that, you know, you you see in doses, but that game almost, like you said, almost kind of crystallize who this team is and who they plan to be in December. >> Yeah. And you know, you don’t you’ve never really heard it before, but you know, the one the Derwin hit on Rashi, that’s a hospital ball that’s on Mahomes and and it speaks to the fact that he was not comfortable that whole game. >> He was getting pressured. You know, that trio of KAC and and Oay and Tulie and even when it was just rotating with just two of them, Deshawn Han was a monster in this game, was in his lap the whole game. the way that Jesse was calling coverages like there was it was when you go back you know when I I got the the PFF pulled up here like when you look at the coverage schemes it’s just a it’s a pop pirie man it’s a salad it’s some cover six some quarters some cover two some cover one some cover three it’s press man it’s it’s all over the place and I think the fact that Jesse was able to get home with four this entire game combined with Momes combined with receivers that he’s got just different receivers right now. These guys are small. They’re fast. >> No Hollywood Brown. >> Yeah. And it’s just like they’re not they’re not like professional receiver. I’m trying to think of the best way to they’re they’re threats because they’re fast and if they get open downfield, they can be a problem, but they’re just not they’re not I want I don’t want to denigrate them. Like they’re just not winners, you know? Like they’re not man-on-man winners. Like, hey, I’m going to help you out here, Patrick. What? Come come to me. I got you. So, like that hit, man. both of them, the Tony and Dur to your point, some of that’s on Mahomes. Some of that’s on Mahomes to see, oh wow, I got a safety and he is sizing my guy up and I cannot throw him over the middle, right? Oh. Oh, what did I do? And and that was on both of those. And so that to me was even bigger than just the the hits themselves. The fact that of all people it was Patrick Mahomes that put his receiver in that position to receive that hit just to me spoke to the fact of to the fact of how uncomfortable and just sort of unsettled he was that whole game with what what coach Mentor was was dialing up. >> Yeah. You know that first drive they were even hit Mahomes on the first drive. They they gave the Chargers their best shot on that opening series. They scored. But I have to say like at the the turn of the half like beginning of the third quarter I was like there’s no they don’t have anything. They don’t have anything for this defense. They couldn’t run the football. Tulie and OA were were menaces on on the edge. Um the the secondary sticky coverage and you you can tell that I guess to your point about the the the receivers especially Travis Kelce. I mean this is going to be his last year. I I would have to imagine. Yeah. I I don’t know. But but that that offense just did not look in sync and it seemed like the Chargers were a step ahead each quarter. >> Yeah. And and the run is a big part of it. Like they they haven’t been able to run the ball for years now. You know, they’ve been trying and they just for whatever reason have not really committed a lot of resources to it. You know, they were rolling with Pacheco. Their offensive line was beat to heck, but you know, so is the Chargers. And no one’s making excuses for the Chargers. Instead, Herbert’s still taking incoming despite, you know, some of the challenges he’s had up front. Yet, everybody wants to make excuses for Mahomes. Well, he’s on his backup tackles and international pathway player is is his left tackle and okay, well, yeah, we’ve got Austin Deculus out there. We’ve got Bobby Hart who hadn’t been a starter in five years and for some reason that doesn’t apply, but for Mahomes it does. So, yeah, he was challenged, you know, no Trey Smith, no Jawan Taylor, uh no Simmons, like they’re all out, but you’ve got to make do just like Justin Herbert has. And that’s kind of one of the great storylines of this season is that Chargers have 10 wins and they’re missing two not pro bowlers, two allp procure tackles. You know, Mai Beckton has played 50% of the snaps this year. They lost Naji Harris. They lost Amaran Hampton like for the majority, you know, for a big chunk of the season. From week five to week 15, Amarian’s out. And no one’s making excuses. Guy just goes out there, punches a clock, and wins 10 games. And so to me, that’s that’s the sort of stuff that builds into the postseason. Like, oh, Marian’s back. Oh, our offensive line. We kind of got this group settled now, and now we found something with this sixth offensive lineman with the injury to Tucker Fisk. We’re putting Penning out there now. And look how that’s working. and they’re starting to find a little something and a little bit of rhythm just in time over this final four game stretch now with the Cowboys coming up on Sunday, then the Texans on Saturday, and who knows what day. Hopefully, it’ll be a Sunday night prime time affair for the AFC West against the Broncos in week 18. Like, I just feel like this team has found a rhythm. They know their identity. Defense is going to take care of us. Let’s play it safe, a little bit closer to the vest and not give them any freebies. Um, and you know, we gave him one, the Chargers gave we the Chargers gave him one and what happened? Defense held him to a field goal, you know, on on the pick. So, it so important, man, when the playoffs roll around to kind of know what you are, to know what your strengths are, how you want to play a game. And I feel like this team is has found has found that sort of formula against the Eagles the defending Super Bowl champions and the team back toback on a short week on the road in Arrowhead. You know, two teams that can give you some serious problems and they were able to just kind of crack it with their crack that code with their the you know with this defense, this running game and uh and Herbert making some splash plays. You know, many ident which is funny just the hohamness of of the interview last week where he’s like, you know, whatever, you know, hoham 49 yard field goal times two and a 27 yarder, nine points responsible for uh nine of the nine of the 16 uh in a in a huge Chargers win. I was going to say like identities can change over the course of a a 17 game season. And just I I I know that there’s so much more context you can put into this, but just I remember the first three games and we were like, “Wow, they are letting Justin Herbert throw the ball all over the yard, right? First three games of the year, 108 passes to just 79 rushes. They win their first three games. Alt goes down. Obviously, the the injury to Justin Herbert, yet you kind of have to change the way you play a little bit.” Um the last three games coming out of the buy almost the inverse. 75 passes, 110 rushes, yet the same record, 3-0. So, I think that’s just that’s coaching. It it’s it’s knowing who you are, like when it’s time to be who you are in December. And this is going to be a defensive le team with Justin Herbert making heroic plays sprinkled in. And um you just hope the the offensive line can can hold up to a protect him when you need to protect him and run the football with Hampton and Videl. >> Yeah, I’m excited to to see what what Coach Roman is going to draw up for the Cowboys because we know they can score. You know, they can score. they just allow a lot of points. You know, there’s not a lot of games in which the Cowboys have, you know, been held down. They’ve just been outscored. You know, it’s the defense that’s been letting them down, which is kind of weird because, you know, as I was digging through it, um, they get good pressure. Like, they’re getting pressure up front. The problem is if they can’t get home, the coverage on the back end just they can’t stay sticky for that long. That’s sort of it’s it’s been a lot of busted plays. It’s been a lot of stuff off schedule that’s that’s really affected them. Um they’re I felt like watching the Vikings game they were okay against the run, you know. So to me that’s I I don’t think 16 is going to get it for you against them. You’re I to me this is this you’re going to have to get 24 on the board. And so, you know, I I feel like when I go back and watch, I feel like I want a little bit more from the passing game just sort of from how they’re calling it and what they’re calling and where guys are and who’s in the pattern and sort of what they’re running and and I expect him to to do that. You know, we’ve seen him come up with a lot of different types of game plans, you know, against the Steelers, against the Raiders, and you know, and sort of, you know, what we, you know, and again, these last two, it’s just been sort of just do enough. just let’s protect the ball, let’s just do enough, but I just feel like Herbert’s been taking a little bit too much of a beating. Um, and then, you know, I watch plays like the pass to Gadston where, you know, he’s rolling out to his left immediately. You know, in that second half, we started to see some more quick game. They’re trying to set up some screens and there was just none of that in the first half. It was a lot of just kind of longer developing routes and I don’t think that’s going to work against the Cowboys. Um, but I do think you’re going to have to score some points. So, I expect to see Herbert throw the ball a little more than we’ve seen. And and I’m anxious to see because like just to to put a button on that thought, Chris, like I just I feel like I got to see more Lad Manki. Like I I don’t feel like we’ve seen enough of what he’s really good at. >> For 20 yards in the game on Sunday >> and just not routes we’re used to seeing, just kind of those quick man beaters. Let’s get the ball in his hands. Watch him whip out and and go for 10 yards a yak. And I just keep feeling like I’m watching him go down field like nonstop. And it’s like, come on, man. Let’s let’s get Lat on these quick hitters, man. I miss seeing them just kind of wiggle out of stuff and and make fools out of defensive backs. I want to kind of get back to some of that. >> Do you do you think really because of the way it was 16 degrees of kick, it was kind of by design. First five plays of the game running the football. The sixth one was a run play that was a penalty. Uh it looked like they made a really concerted effort to say this is how we’re going to play today. We’re going to we’re going to bully you. Uh we’re we’re going to run the ball. We’re going to control the clock. Um, that’s not excusing not using Vladimony, but you you know, you saw the the Trey Harris 37 yard catch at the end of the first half and then the the KLS touchdown, which was awesome. Um, but I don’t know if it’s like you said, you can’t score 16 points at AT&T Stadium in a controlled climate and win. >> Yeah, I think that’s that’s sort of what I’m getting at. I’m I’m not secondguessing what coach wanted to do or or how he wanted to do it. I just do think I’ve always felt this way. um you know the whole position of the most important statistics the left column did we get the win and and yeah that’s fair but you know I think anybody that’s ever worked in any business you kind of know that sometimes there’s a there’s a division that pulls their weight and there’s a division that’s getting pulled and so I think you can’t you can’t be too careful about falling into that trap. Well the only matters is the left column. Well, yeah, but you’ve got a defense that’s playing arguably as good as any team in the league. Like the Chargers defense these last three weeks is right up there with the Texans and what they’re doing when you look at pressures like >> deck and deck. >> Tulie’s got more sacks than Will Anderson. You know, Tulie’s if you stack the T that’s the team that everybody’s pointing to, right? The the Texans are the best defense. Look out for the Texans. You don’t want to and I’m not disagreeing with Autri and and Denil Hunter and and Anderson. They are something. But the way that that Kmack that Khalil Mack that that Tuli Tui Palotu and that Adafay are playing right now, they are right there. They are. I mean, I’m looking at that. What do we got? Eight pressures, seven pressures, five pressures for hand, two sacks for Ooway, two sacks for Tulie, one for Khalil Mack. Like, these guys are playing. And so, I think you >> you have to had zero sacks with the Ravens. He’s got seven with the Chargers in nine games. like it’s it’s it’s a huge acquisition by by Jortis and his staff to bring him in. Um because we know that Jesse needs three, right? He needs that threeman sort of rotation, especially to plant that NASCAR package out there with Tulie over the guard. Guards have no chance against Tulie. None. Like he is wrecking them on the inside right now. So to me, I think it’s just one of those you’ve you’ve got to be careful about, hey, we won the game. That’s what’s most important. That’s all we care about. And um because I think you’re going to need a little more out of that side of the ball. I suspect the defense is going to play really well. But look, Dak leads the league in passing. Dak leads the league. He’s he basically is top three in total yards, completions, attempts, uh completion percentage, touchdowns. >> He’s been awesome. He’s already that contract. >> Like he doesn’t take a lot of sacks. I think Herbert’s been sacked 40 times. Dak’s been sacked 24 times. The offensive line protects him pretty well. So, I think to to go into a game assuming your team’s going to, you know, get you a couple turnovers, get a bunch of sacks, hold a team to 13 points or 10 points or something like that, like that to me is dangerous. So, it’s it’s important, I think, for them to try to get this passing game going a little bit more. And and I suspect we’ll see that because that’s been the issue for the for the Cowboys. They have really struggled. I mean, look what JJ McCarthy did against them. Yeah. >> And every other game he’s played in and how much different it looked against the Cowboys. You know, each week you would hope that Justin’s hand gets better and better. You know, we saw him under center a little bit in Kansas City and, you know, just the fact that it was so cold. Uh you have a a quarterback with a nonthrowing broken hand. Uh I just I think from an offensive perspective, can you hold up in pass protection? Like that’s >> that’s why I want to see just more quick game. >> Can you Yeah. >> Easy buttons. You know, I felt like we didn’t see enough easy buttons in that these last two games against the Eagles and the and the Chiefs, you know, can we get some hot like I just that’s sort of what I’m looking for, you know, just that stuff that Keenan and Lad are so good at, right? Just bang, we dusted our guy on our release. Get him the ball and let’s watch him go. And and I’m sure that’s I’m guessing that’s what we’re going to see. That’s that’s what I’m envisioning. >> Sure. And we, you know, we saw on second and third down Keenan making a a couple just awesome hustle plays to get the first down. The the four biggest plays offensively were all involving offensive rookies. Yeah. >> Like all of them. Like the the 37 yard uh catch by Trey Harris followed by KLS’s second ever NFL reception that goes for a touchdown. Amari Hampton’s 26-yd run. The the Gatson Gat 26. >> The 26 yard that was like I don’t know how it was like so wobbly but like >> it was so weird. It was >> I thought it got tipped. I come back and watch it over and over and over again. I’m like, how did that ball >> look like that yet still get to him that fast? >> It’s It was unbelievable. >> It was cuz it was a total frozen rope, you know, pardon the pun because of the cold, but when I went back and watch that doesn’t make any sense. >> I had to I had my YouTube TV up so it’s like it’s always like 15 seconds behind and I I see I’m like how how did that get there that quickly? But it’s another, you know, you mentioned Joe Ortiz, like you make the trade for Adaf, you don’t win that game without those rookies. Um, you know, and even just smaller acquisitions like Marcus Williams and, you know, you bring in Marcus May back. I remember Marcus May helped win that Atlanta game last year, right? Um, it’s it’s not only the guys that are that are currently on the roster, but it’s also, you know, Joe Ortiz kind of pressing the right buttons and and pulling the right levers throughout the course of the season that that has really got this team in a position to get their 11th win on Sunday. >> As you say it, so I’m pulling it up. Here are Joe Ortiz’s two draft classes. Amari and Hampton, Trey Harris, Jamari Caldwell hit, Keandre Lambert Smith, Arande Gadston, RJ Mickens, Joe Alt, Lad Mcconi, >> Justin Aboy, Tarhee, Still, Cam Hart, Kimani Videl. >> Like that’s just two draft classes you were talking. >> What’s funny is Bridges Bridges is going to is plays for the Cowboys who they cut and Nico Reed is the guy that they said, “Okay, we we’re have we’re happy with the UDF.” But I mean, like, these are all guys that are contributing every single Sunday that are either in their first year or their second. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 guys from two draft classes that are all either starting or contributing. Like, that’s unheard of. It’s one thing, you know, you hit on your first rounder, great, you better, you know, you hit on your second rounder, super important. Third rounder, okay, let’s see what you got. like 12 guys in two draft classes are, like you said, impact, not just, oh, they’re out there for 10 snaps or so. No, impact players, the great majority of those. And that’s how you can afford to make Justin Herbert the highest paid player in the league when you sign that contract. That’s why Derwin’s contract is going to get redone probably this off seasonason. Sorry, uh, Spanos family, you’re going to spend some money, but it’s why Tuli’s going to be resigned, why Oway is going to be resigned, because you have all this youth on rookie deals that can afford you to make those deals. And if K-Mak wants to come back, you can pay all three of those guys. You can pay all three of those guys. And I think you do Tuli a year early, you know, because why not save some money on the overall, you know, the way it fits into the the overall cap by having that fourth year, you know, included in that deal. >> He’s been a mad man. Totally incredible. >> Unbelievable. Um, you know, I remember sitting with uh Ryan Ficken in the offseason with you and uh and I think Julio was with us, too. >> Um, and we’re talking about KLS. You know, KLS didn’t play special teams at Auburn. He didn’t play any special teams. Um, and I want to give DJ and Baldi, I was listening to Move the Sticks and they talked about maybe the turning point in the game was that that kick return to even get them in a position. >> Did he did he share what we were saying before the kick returned? >> No. >> How stupid we are. >> What did you say? I just, you know, we were talking about how, you know, the injury to Darius and he hasn’t been right this year and, you know, Assan Hass and Nahim Miller Hines was really the only guy that’s had an explosive kick return and, you know, Lambert Smith has not really looked comfortable. He keeps kind of, you know, gearing down and he’s getting stopped inside the 30 at like the 25 and, you know, they’re trying to work through it and get him used more reps and, you know, man, this is this is where you could really use someone that’s comfortable returning. Man, he moves it for 40 yards. It’s like, there it is. >> Let me show you something you haven’t seen before. >> Yes, exactly. Uh, it’s the anti-announcer jinx. As as we’re uh complaining about the lack of a legitimate returner, here comes KLS with a 40 yard to set it up. >> Think about how pivotal the last minute of that first half was to to say, “Okay, all right, you put us in field goal range. May as well try to get a few more yards.” Uh, the the catch that Trey Harris had on the sideline was reviewed. I honestly I admittedly thought that he didn’t catch it. >> Okay. on on the replay. We we were all talking some of the beats in the press box like I don’t think it’s >> Yeah. See, I thought he had it because he had his arm under it. >> Well, not enough evidence clearly not stands. Yeah. >> To overturn. And then two plays later, KLS again. Um and that’s just >> And it’s funny, we thought that one might not be a touchdown. And when they banged a timeout, we’re like, “No, don’t don’t bang the timeout.” Because if you notice, the ball shifts a little bit as he’s going out of bounds. But I think the way it looked was he had it secured when both feet came down and then it kind of it was it’s very it was was one of those like oh god this is so huge it’s 30 seconds and you’re down 13 to three and now all of a sudden you have all the momentum going into half because you have the ball coming out as well. >> Just just think of uh the August that we had here. We had KLS here. He had he had an awesome preseason and then you just you frankly you didn’t need him because Quinton’s healthy. Everybody stayed relatively healthy in that wide receivers room. But week 15 in Kansas City, you have, you know, one of your young Bucks step up and and get that huge touchdown to make it 13-10 at the half in a completely different ball game. >> Yeah, it’ll be interesting to see how they play it moving forward, you know, because they have been searching for that second returner. Now, look, if Darius isn’t ready, then it makes it easy, you know, but I think it’s fair to say, you know, that that we know what Darius Davis can look like, you know, when he’s when he’s right. And he just has not quite been right this year. You know, that game against the Eagles was sort of a telltale sign for me when you can’t outrun a tight end and this is a guy that’s got world class, you know, track speed. And so, you kind of knew like, okay, something’s not quite right with him. So, I’m anxious to see how they want to play it, you know, this week. Um, because they need it, you know. I think I think it’s such a big advantage as people are still trying to get comfortable with this dynamic kick return. When you have someone that can that can get you that extra first down instead of the 30 puts you at the 40, it’s a huge advantage. Uh let’s uh take a quick break on the other side. We’ll we’ll still talk about this this Chargers defense and then the challenge ahead of them in Big D. Chargers Weekly is presented by Splatero, helping homeowners access their home equity with no monthly payments. Split offers home equity investments. A better way to access the cash you need from your home without getting to go through a bank. Get a lump sum of cash in exchange for a share of your home’s future value. Pay off debt, renovate your home, and better your life. Get your free cash estimate at splitro.com/chargers. So, money, we just talked about kind of the first turning point in the game, the the last minute of that first half, and I I think the second turning point was the the Tony Jefferson ejection, which I I don’t know what he can do. I don’t know what you do. It’s a bang bang play, but it it got Arrowhead fired up. And then a couple of plays later, Deion Henley basically runs the route for Patrick Mahomes. I I had to look this up because I remember he played a little bit of offense at Nevada. First two years at Nevada, 17 catches, 232 yards, and three touchdowns. He looked like a wide receiver to me on that play. >> Yeah, he was. He And it’s funny, you know, you look at at the box and you see dayon four tackles, one solo, the interception, and it just felt like there was so much more than that. And the way that like it was wild to watch the way Jesse was was doing it cuz my spotter Craig, you know, whenever I’m calling the game, he’ll he’ll give me this in my face when there’s, you know, dime coverage when you got and I felt like he was doing it a lot in that game. So, a lot of that game was just coach Mer rushing four, Dion’s your your linebacker and he’s got six defensive backs. Um or you know, Derwin was playing a little bit of that dime backer role. Um the like the thing with Dayon is he was spying Mahomes. He was sideline to sideline that whole game, man. He was like that was the other reason why Mahomes couldn’t quite get comfortable. Um on the inter on the um what game what play was it? I can’t remember what I it might have been the play right before the interception. He ran Mahomes out of bounds. Thought it Mahomes thought he was going to be able to get the corner and uh Deion ran him out of bounds. So just a heck of a game by him, man. And like you said, to be able to as a linebacker, that’s what they want, right? They want Kareem Hunt on a linebacker on a wheel route with Mahomes throwing and having time to throw. Khalil Mack pressured him. You know, Khalil Mack was right in his lap. So, it’s like one of those, we keep talking about it, right? The the complimentary, you know, make sure the front end, the back end are attached. And now you got front end pressure and back end’s ready to make the play. And man, it was a beautiful interception. Um, and they just keep coming up with them. You know, that’s the thing. You got two in this one. Think about last week against the Eagles with with Tony to seal the game. Like there’s four of them total, right? Like this team, it’s it’s why again to push it forward to Dallas. It’s what’s going to make it interesting is Dak likes to throw the ball downfield. These are explosive passing plays that he’s making. They’re not dinking dunks. It’s it’s I’m going to push the ball downfield. Good luck stopping my guys. And I don’t know if there’s a better defense in the league at preventing that. That is that is what the Chargers are best at. You you might get them here or there, but it is you might find a busted coverage somewhere if the pass rush doesn’t get home and a guy breaks free, but for the most part when you’re trying to push this ball downfield, it’s just not there. So, it’s going to it’s you know, Styles make the fight, man. And and this is going to be a good one between Coach Miner and Coach Shottenheimimer. >> The uh the fact that Kansas City could have easily kicked a field goal on that series, too, like to to to tie the game. Uh it’s >> that’s the one thing I you notice about this this Chargers defense is that when it gets tight like especially like the overtime, you know, Jaylen Herz gets picked off by Tony at the at the two, >> you know. So this the way that this defense has been flying around the last three weeks specifically, man, something something switched after Jacksonville. I don’t know if it was just something as simple as like we needed a week off because of everything that they’ve been through in terms of traveling and everything, but just I don’t I can’t really put my finger on it. It just seems like this defense is completely different from the defense that we saw in Duvall County. >> Yeah. Oh, I do think a lot of it’s schematic, too. I I I feel like they’re playing a lot more man. I feel like they’re mixing up their coverages a lot more. Um >> Popper asked Harbaugh about the fact that they’re playing a little bit more man. Said not much to it, but our guys can do it. >> Yeah. And and I think the other thing you’re seeing is just like we talked about that three-man rotation. Before I felt like it was more hockey substitution style. It was here’s Tulie and Khalil. Here’s Ooway and Bud. And I think now we’re kind of seeing him settle on it’s Khalil, Tulie, and Ooway. And it’s just a rotation between those three. And two of them are always on the field. And I think that’s and and it’s meant more snaps for OA. And I think you’re starting to see like he is a worldclass athlete at that defensive end position. You’re talking like when you just when you see him, there’s certain guys that you want getting off the bus first. Always a guy you want getting off the bus first. I mean, he’s long, he’s bendy. That’s that first sack he had on Mahomes, holy cow, man. It was like watching a running back with a jump cut. The way he dusted that tackle and was just in Mahomes lap like nothing from the edge. Um, it was impressive. So, I think that’s a big part of it. I feel like with Herz and with with Patrick Mahomes, there was he was using Dion as that spy a little more. I feel like he’s using Don a little bit differently. Um tapping into his, you know, his talents a little bit more and asking him to do things a little bit differently. There’s more Denzel Perman out there to kind of be that that physical guy and Dion can kind of play a little more of that safety linebacker sideline to sideline style. Um, and then I think just leaning into Tony. I I feel like you’re you’re seeing him. Think about it. Tony had a stretch there. He didn’t play was, you know, inactive. >> Another guy. >> So, it’s it’s I feel like having Tony out there has changed um the way this defense plays a lot. Um there’s just again they’re bullies, man. There’s more physicality. Um and I just think how cerebral Tony is helps a lot. help, you know, and so I I do think that it’s not just but I I absolutely agree with you that there was probably some meetings of this is not who we are. Let’s get back to who we are. And um but I do think credit co and I just I say it to credit coach Miner. I think he really probably did a deep dive and dug into it and said, “All right, what are we doing? What because it’s I think about when he sat with us and he said, you know, you can’t you never want to be the guy that says, “Hey, this is my scheme fit in.” you want to be the guy that looks at what do I have and how can I maximize what they do best and I think that’s what he did and and you’re seeing Cam Hart play a lot more man and be able to bully a lot more and and use that length and that physicality that he’s have um and that’s allowed guys to get home you know I just felt like in the Jacksonville game we were seeing guys getting free releases and cushion and and all that zone and it just felt like and guys you know two highs and ETN is just running free for eight nine yard it just felt it’s felt so different. The run fits, the way they’re playing the run, it >> it feels dramatically different. I think a lot it’s the way that it looks pre- snap as well. >> You know, R.J. Mickens got banged up in that game. I’m not sure if we’ll see him on on Sunday or not, but just to kind of fall in line with the veteran presence, you know, Molden should be back. Marcus Williams has been in the league for nine years. >> They signed Marcus May. >> You signed Marcus Marcus Mayus May, our interception guy. >> Yeah. So, so you have you have some some veterans in that secondary. You can’t say enough about the development of the two fifth round uh second year players in in Hart and Tarhee. I thought Dante Jackson I think he’s been spectacular this year. You know, he kind of filled the role of Christian Fulton and he’s he’s excelling in that role. >> He’s having a Pro Bowl year. Yeah. >> Um I pulled up Let me see if I can can do it. I pulled up his um numbers the other day and so if I go to all um and I’ll tell you man, like a they don’t target him. B when they do there’s nothing there. So on the season, um, Dante has been he’s allowed a 46% completion rate. >> He’s been targeted in 372 coverage snaps. He has only been targeted 43 times. >> Wow. In 372 snaps. Um, the he’s allowed just a single touchdown. We know about the four interceptions. Uh, he has also I’m trying to find the Here we go. Take a guess what the opponent quarterback rating is when targeting Dante Jackson this season. >> 26.5. >> 31.5. >> Close. That was close. >> Yeah. 31.5. Like you can’t throw on him. You know, he’s been And that’s a two-year deal, by the way, that George did. You think about >> and and let’s not forget, man, last year Christian Fulton one-year flyer deal. And you we had Joe sitting in this chair where I’m sitting right now, and he said, “Hey, man. I’m happy for Christian. He got paid.” You know, or it was Jesse who said it. He’s like, “You know what? I’m so happy for Christian. Got it. I’m happy for Puna. They got their money. Christian’s inactive. He is a healthy scratch in Kansas City. Played well enough here to get a $20 million deal. And uh and that’s what we’re seeing from Dante Jackson. And this time around, able to kind of give him on a two-year deal. So, they’re going to get him next year again, which is uh which is huge. >> And while it would have been great to have Puna here, you have Hand, you have Tart, you have Cole, you know, you have this this really nice rotation >> uh in the trenches there. And just the Tulie, like I said, I can’t say enough about his development from his rookie year here to to who Jesse Mentor has developed him into. Like he he really was the guy that we had eyes on this off seasonason when Joey left. Like is is this the guy we’re going to pass the torch to? Yeah, he’s more than ready. 12 sacks already. Um Khalil’s leadership. Um Adafay coming in here and acting like he’s been here for years. >> Um the defense, you can’t say enough. And there’s I don’t know how many different ways we can talk about the importance of Derwin James. >> You can’t it’s too hard. I mean it’s he it can’t be quantified. >> He’s he’s a gold jacket man. I’m sorry. Khalil and Derwin are gold jackets and the the way that that game ended with him going up to Kelsey and saying, “I need that jersey.” You just think about all the battles that those guys have had since Derwin came to the league in 2018. And for that to maybe be the kind of the the last interaction, uh, it’s pretty poetic. >> Yeah, it is. I mean, it’s earned because Kelsey got the better of him enough times and Derwin’s gotten the better of Kelsey a number of times. And if that was going to be the end of their run, I mean, certainly nothing for Travis Kelce to hang his head over. He’s the first ballot hall of famer. He’s going to go down as perhaps the greatest passcatching tight end in the history of the league. But it yeah, it was fitting for for all the stuff they’ve been through to have Derwin not just end the game, but end their run. Um to to have them miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014, to sweep the team for the first time since what was it 2013, like yeah, that’s that’s how it was supposed to end. And for Derwin after the game, I think he was talking to you where he said, uh, oh, I knew exactly what they were doing. I I knew exactly what was coming. And that speaks to, you know, coach Fuller, Coach Clink, Coach Miner, and just having these guys ready to go, man. So, it’s they know what they’re looking at. They know what’s coming, and they know how to play it. And they saw it the week before against the Eagles, and we saw it last week, and now we’re going to hopefully see it against Cowboys. >> Chargers fans still buzzing, but at some point, I’m sure it was Monday, that this team had to turn the page and get ready for Dallas because um you got to get your 11th win. you still can’t clinch a playoff spot outright. You have to get some help, I think, from the NerS on Monday night. Yeah. >> Um but but just spinning it forward to to Dallas, you have a you have an offensive line that’s just going to have to hold up uh enough to have Justin Herbert throw the football down the field. >> Yeah, they’re like I said, their front’s good. I know uh yesterday Williams is >> he was still in concussion protocol yesterday. I don’t know. And typically if you know you miss early, that’s not a good sign to be able to come back. So, I think it’ll probably, you know, we’ll know today. I think if Quinnon, you know, at the time we’re we’re doing this, their practice injury report has not been posted. Um, but if he’s still out today, I think it’d be a long shot. >> He’s made a huge difference on that >> defense. I mean, absolutely huge. So, um, but they can get to you, you know, they can get to you. The thing is, if you can hold up, um, like I said, their coverage on the back end’s not quite as sticky as it should be. And that’s where you’re seeing a lot of these plays be made where just stuff breaks down. um when when it gets off schedule a little bit. Um so to me, I think they’re still going to try to run the heck out of the ball. I think they want to pound and and I that’s their identity, I think, moving forward is we feel like we got two backs that can that can break you at any time and we can get these, you know, we’ll get you threes and fours and and fives in there and then all of a sudden here comes the 26 and here comes a 52. >> You notice Amarian kind of getting like this now, getting the sea legs. >> Exactly. And so I think that’s and then like the thing is is then now you know we know how much Justin likes play action and now play action can work. But I do think we’re going to continue to see to me I think that six offensive lineman is going to be a thing moving forward. I was 50% of the snaps that Trevor Penny was out there and and I thought he played great in the snaps that he had to fill in for Mai Beckton. So it’ll be interesting to see and you know even when he was at guard for Mai. What did we see? Here comes Austin Deculus as the six offensive lineman. Like that’s that’s something that Roman’s feeling right now. And I like it because to me, if you don’t have Tucker Fisk, um I feel like that’s a perfect way to to mitigate, you know, these tackles and and try to help them out and and also, you know, give you an extra beat in in the in the pattern where Justin can can find this open receiver and, you know, like on that play that that hit Gadston, if you watch, you got Matlock in motion and he’s got Dana and Dana kind of beats him right off the snap and Matlock able to recover, seals him off and that’s the path that Herbert took to climb that pocket to throw throw that ball, you know, for 26 yards. So, I think Matlock’s really improved, especially against the run. >> I saw you I saw you posted something on it. >> Did you hear Harball about Matlock yesterday? No. What’ he say? >> He uh he said he has to credit his dad, Jack Harbaugh. In August, he uh because, you know, Scott has played defense primarily his entire career. So, he’s, you know, just learning to play fullback. >> He uh what do you describe it as? Boop boop. >> Boop boop boop boop. >> So, watch the press. It’s pretty pretty hilarious. Um, but he he basically took notice of Scott’s progression and development as a fullback. >> I think he’s like, I think he’s there. I think there was, you know, there was a time early in the season where I’m like, I think I’d rather see Tucker Fisk in that role. He just looks more comfortable and I’ve come around full circle, man. I think, you know, and that’s credit to Scott and credit to the coaching staff to kind of get him comfortable to figure out, you know, technique and let’s get you com. But I do think moving forward, this is a fullback. This is this is a guy you’re gonna have to contend. Now, do I want to see him as the only receiving option? No, I don’t. It was fun to watch and he certainly put it on Nick Bolton after Nick already took a shot from Amaran. Now he’s got to take one from a 300 pounder. Yeah. But >> yeah, especially in the run game, he’s really really come around. If you watch if you watch um both Kimmani and Amaran’s runs, they’re both kind of trailing and following quite a bit on Scott and he’s he’s doing a heck of a job. Head to San Francisco and experience the Super Bowl with On Location, the official hospitality provider of the NFL and proud partner of the Los Angeles Chargers. Secure packages that bundle verified tickets with exclusive access to pregame parties featuring renowned entertainment and top-of-the-line food and drinks, plus immersive postgame field celebrations. On Location delivers unforgettable experiences so you can create memories that will last a lifetime. Visit onloationexp.comblx or call 877-373-5062 to secure your ticket package today. You know, they they won 11 games last year, but I I go back to the like I think it was the last two games of the season against a really bad New England team and a really bad Vegas team. Uh the fact that you have like legit contenders down the stretch, right? You beat the Eagles on Monday night. You eliminate the Chiefs. You got the Cowboys who could score with anybody, beating a lot of playoff teams this year. Then you got Houston, who we’ll get into next week in Denver. Um I don’t want to say last year was was fool’s gold going into the playoffs, but you look at the list of quarterbacks that they’ve beaten this year >> and to to have the quality of opponent down the stretch, I it’s got to help you going into the postseason. >> No question. I mean, you said it. Mahomes twice, Bo Nicks, Jaylen Herz, like the list goes on and on. Aaron Rogers, Aaron Rogers, um you know, and now they’re gonna go take on Dak Prescott who’s probably gonna be top five and MVP voting. Even though the Cowboys aren’t winning, um or offensive player of the year, he’ll be in that conversation. Um and and then you get a Houston Texans team that’s that’s the hottest team in football right now. And that’s the thing, like everyone’s talking about, oh, Chargers still got a little bit of work to do. Are they really a viable playoff team? If Jacksonville can take care of the Broncos this week, and man, I’ll tell you, the Broncos, it’s >> that’s the one game we’re watching, right? >> It’s it’s like, you think about the Packers, man, they were ready to put that team away until Cert and look, Certan’s the reigning defensive player of the year. He makes that interception. Mah Parsons goes down a couple snaps later and just all the air came out of the Packers. But like if they the Chargers went out and the Jags get that win this week, that week 18 game, man, is for the division. They already got a game in hand. So like I think people forget the Chargers can still make a run at the number one seed. Like it is all still in front of them. And the way this defense is playing, the fact that this running game is starting to come alive, I I think to to not acknowledge that while acknowledging the other side of it is just irresponsible. Yeah, the the the Broncos, it’s it seems so long ago that week three game with the Chargers had to come from behind and win it. But like that that Jacksonville game, um I I think we’ll be scoreboard watching that one on Monday. We’ll be scoreboard watching a little bit Colts and uh Ner. What’ you think of Phil last Sunday? >> Great. It’s the best. >> Great, man. I mean, look, you know, it’s it’s a bummer. I now I said I want to see Philip play great and the Colts lose because they have the tiebreaker against the Chargers and if both teams finish 11 and six and there’s no other 11 and six team then they’re going to jump them. But um I I it was fun. It was the the touchdown was really fun. Well, we were sitting on the bus together and I saw you looking around like, “Hey, did anybody else see that?” And like yeah, yeah, we saw that. >> I think I blew it because you know YouTube TV it’s like everybody has like a different feed and I’m like >> touchdown and it was like a jerk. >> 5 seconds. Yeah, I blew I blew it for everybody. >> Yeah. No, it was it was fun to watch. Yeah. I’m anxious to see it against the 49ers. That Seattle defense is good, man. They’re really good. And >> Rivers had him, you know, Rivers won the game and he did supposed to do. >> Yeah. I mean, they were up 1615 with 48 seconds left. That’s a win. You know, he did everything he possibly could. Got the field goal. It was a 60 yard, you know. So, you you you credit group for that one, but or groupy, right? Groupy. >> Is that how you say it? Is it Jerry? I think it’s groupy. He Yeah, he um booted a 60 yard >> 60 yarder to win the game and then defense unfortunately fell apart. It was funny to see I don’t know if you saw Meyers um quote but he’s like yeah I grew up a Phil so hurt me a little bit. It’s like dude you won the game for your team like it shouldn’t hurt you at all but it’s kind of cool to see. >> Uh we get in on Saturday the uh the Eagles play the Commanders. So an Eagles win completely eliminates the Cowboys. They have like a 1% chance anyway right now. So, you know, you wonder you wonder like the psyche of a team, too. Like, you know, I I can’t imagine a Dak Prescott le team is going to kind of have the whatever. But, >> yeah, I think a lot of it just comes down to injuries. How banged up are guys, you know, and and how much do they if they’re if they’re going to try to play through something when, you know, maybe they they shouldn’t, but it’s like, hey, man, we got to make that push for the play, then then that’s what you see. you’ll see guys like, “Yeah, I’m not >> there’s no reason for me to play through this. You know, I’m taking a shot. I’m trying to, you know, get out there for my guys and and make a run at the playoffs.” And that’s that’s ultimately what happens is you end up seeing those dudes just start to sit games out. >> I saw Eber Floo’s coming down to the field. I guess that’s a a wrinkle. >> That’ll change everything. >> I I love when teams do that. It’s just like, okay, this is >> Could have done that six weeks ago, maybe, but uh sure, do it do it this week. see if it helps. >> Uh, anything else? >> All good, man. It was great to see the people out here when we got home from Kansas City. That was really cool. Um, all the Charger fans that decided to come out to the Bolt and and support the team is is always really cool to see. So, just tip of the cap to all of them. And, >> you know, getting ready to go to one of our favorite stadiums. It’s one of my favorite places to call a game. It’s so cool. Uh, in Dallas, it’s gigantic. Um, it like it’s like they say, everything’s bigger in Texas and that that holds for AT&T Stadium. That’s one of the This is one of the like two or three stadiums I haven’t been to yet. >> Yeah. >> AT&T. >> Oh, really? Yeah. So, >> yeah. The the the the broadcast booth where we call the game. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say or embellish you when I say it is larger than my daughter’s apartment in New York City. Like, it it legitimately is just the booth that holds me, DJ, uh Justin, our producer, Rich, our engineer, Murphy bed in. >> Yeah. Like you could legitimately move in there and feel comfortable. Like get a bed in. Oh, here’s a little dinette set. Here’s the bathroom back here. Like it is wild how big the press room is massive there. Like it’s and one of the cool things that that Jerry does like it’s a first class organization, man. Like their food is the best in the league for in the press room. One of the cool things that I discard, you know, I used to call national games. So I would call a cowboy game every now and then. One of the things that like surprised me when I first got there was after the game was over, uh, I didn’t have a flight for like two or three hours or something like that. So, I was like, I’ll let traffic kind of air out before I get out of here. And I went to the press room and all of the beat writers were hanging out drinking beers. He’s got two beer taps in there for guys. He’s like, I just, you know, they’re like, “Yeah, Jerry just wanted to kind of encourage camaraderie and for us to kind of hang out and, you know, just spend some time here. Free beer, free food.” They they have food after the game and it just kind of creates that community like, “Hey, we’re going to be here, you know, burning the midnight oil, writing our stories for the next three hours. Let’s go grab some suds and and an extra meal and and hang out.” >> Did you ever watch the Netflix stock? >> Yeah. >> On the Cowboys. >> Yeah. It’s the best. >> It’s great. >> It’s exactly what it is, dude. >> Exactly what it is. >> The uh they’re they’re like the Laker. It’s like, you know, it’s like Lakers, Cowboys, Yankees, those global brands. Dodgers. >> Um that’ll be fun. Yeah, I’m look I’m looking forward to it. And Charger fans, show up, man. And we’re going to some uh meet and greet on Saturday night. Um the one of the fan groups down in in Texas. >> Nice. >> Representing a lot of Powder Blue in Kansas City we saw too. So it was fun. >> Oh yeah, it was a great time. Uh chatted with a number of people out uh when I was doing my lap around Arrowhead, which was cold, but surprisingly not as cold as I thought it was going to be. I’m sure the players don’t want to hear that. There’s no wind. That was the key. >> Yeah. >> Yep. All right. Little weather talk there to close it up. >> Here we go. Uh week 16, here we come for money. I’m Chris. This has been Charges Weekly presented by Split.

On this episode of Chargers Weekly, Bolts radio play-by-play announcer Matt “Money” Smith and host Chris Hayre recap the latest news involving LA and the entire NFL. The hosts preview the Week 16 matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Dallas Cowboys, where Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott and LA quarterback Justin Herbert will face off at AT&T Stadium this Sunday. They break down the Chargers’ impressive defensive performance vs the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15, including the game-deciding interception by Derwin James Jr., and speculate how the team will use that momentum to face the 6-7-1 Cowboys in a game with potential for the Bolts to clinch a playoff spot. Presented by Splitero.

0:30 Chargers Offense Vs Chiefs Breakdown
26:00 Chargers Defense Vs Chiefs Breakdown
37:00 Cowboys Game Preview

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