Chargers' defense fails in Jaguars' loss

by Don Coryell, Jr.

Blogger, San Diego Union-Tribune

The San Diego Chargers came out of their early bye week fresh and with a new offensive outlook going into Jacksonville to take on the pesky Jaguars. However, the Jaguars would show their teeth after a building offseason, and beat the Chargers 28-25 in a game not as close as the score would dictate.

After a quick 3 and out by the Chargers' offense, Jacksonville would march down the field on the arm of Blake Bortles and the hands of tight end Julius Thomas. It ended in a T.J. Yeldon reception to open the scoring at 7-0.

San Diego would find a little life and march a bit down the field, stalling in the red zone and settling for a Josh Lambo field goal to put the score at 7-3.

The Jaguars would again march down the field, getting very little resistance from the Chargers' defense, as would be the case all day. Bortles would find Mohamed Sanu from 12 yards out to open the lead wider at 14-3.

The Chargers would see their only big play of the day erupt on the next series. On the first play from scrimmage, Melvin Gordon busted through the middle on an all-out blitz call by the Jaguars and outrun everyone for a 92 yard touchdown to close the gap to 14-10.

The second half would see more scoring by the Jags, as Bortles would find Allen Robinson on a 16 yard touchdown pass. Meanwhile, the Chargers' offense would begin to exhibit life as Rivers began to find some rhythm with his receiving corps. A score midway through the 4th on a pass from Rivers to Kenny Stills would narrow the gap to 21-16. Rather than try a 2 point conversion with a little over 5 minutes left, Coach Winuvas elected to kick the extra point and depend on his defense to stop the Jaguars.

That didn't happen. The Jaguars ripped through the Chargers both on the ground and through the air, and a second T.J. Yeldon touchdown, this one on the ground, would make the lead insurmountable. A desperation drive and score with less than 2 minutes to go, along with a 2 point conversion, would put the score at 28-25. However, a failed onside kick ended the Chargers' rally.

Rivers started ice cold, finishing the first half 5-12, but ended at 19 of 32 for 230 yards and 2 touchdowns. Melvin Gordon had the bulk of only 11 carries as a team, getting the rock 9 times for 112 yards, including the 92 yard touchdown scamper. Wide receiver Kenny Stills led all Chargers' receivers with 5 catches for 89 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Flowers led the Chargers' defense with 7 tackles.

Bortles was sensational against the Chargers' defense, going 25 of 33 for 295 yards and 4 touchdowns to go with 1 interception on the day. T.J. Yeldon had 14 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown on the ground and in the air. Tight end Julius Thomas was unstoppable, getting 7 catches for 124 yards. Linebacker Telvin Smith led all Jaguars' defenders with 6 tackles and a forced fumble.

"Our defense played like (expletive)," Coach Winuvas said after the game. "They couldn't stop the run. They couldn't stop the pass. They couldn't stop a nosebleed. If guys we have playing now can't get to the quarterback, we will be changing the roster to find guys who will. Period."

When asked about the new look offense, the coach responded tersely, "(Josh) McDaniels and I will have a discussion about running the ball. We were down, but not so much as to completely abandon the run game like we did. We have to block better and be more balanced. End of discussion."

At 1-3, the Chargers find themselves travelling to Indianapolis to take on the Colts, while Jacksonville (3-2) will entertain Buffalo next week.

Can Coach Winuvas find the answers? Or will another high draft pick be his reward for his return to the sidelines?