Lightning in a Jar
By: Peyton Schultze
Chargers’ WR, Keenan Allen, helped guide the Chargers to a huge comeback win over the Steelers on Sunday Night Football.
Coming into the weekend, the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers had huge opportunities to cement themselves as threats in the wide open NFL playoffs. And sure enough, did they ever. After a hard fought win in Detroit propelled the Rams to secure a second straight NFC West title, the Chargers faced a tough task on Sunday night with the whirlwind-of-a-team Pittsburgh Steelers. Attempting to keep pace with the Kansas City Chiefs for the #1 seed in the AFC and the AFC West title, the Chargers came into Sunday night unknowing of what lied ahead. And after a shaky first half in which seemed too big for the Chargers, the Bolts had seemed to have lost all hope of securing an AFC West title and were even fringe of guaranteeing a playoff spot with the red-hot Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens shooting up in the standings. However, Philip Rivers and Co. finally chose to seek their own destiny and rise above their previous labels as collapsing under pressure and not being able to perform under the bright lights of primetime football in the 2nd half and pulled off a season-changing win. A recap of huge performances and big wins by the football teams of Los Angeles:
Big Day from Gurley Gives Rams the NFC West
Another game and another huge performance from the Pro Bowl running back, Todd Gurley.
132 yards on 23 carries to go along with 2 touchdowns, Todd Gurley put on a show that carried the Rams to a tough win against a pesky Detroit Lions team. Refusing to go away for parts of the game, the Lions hung around for most of the game, yet were put away in the 4th quarter by the Rams on two Gurley rushing touchdowns in a 30-16 win at Ford Field. Re-establishing Gurley after a very quiet performance in the Rams last regular season game appearance on Monday Night Football, head coach, Sean McVay, and the Rams used their Pro Bowl workhorse early and often to control the clock and ease a bit of pressure off of Rams quarterback, Jared Goff. Goff was not at his very best on Sunday, yet Gurley and the rest of the Rams’ offense were able to sludge out a much-needed win that secured the NFC West for the second straight season. Gurley, once again in a MVP-type season, reminded the rest of the league once again why he is one of the NFL’s most dynamic offensive weapons that must be contained if opponents hope to win. The Rams will look to take Gurley and the rest of the Rams’ offense into Soldier Field next Sunday night, after the Bears struggled to contain Giants’ RB, Saquon Barkley, yesterday. Look for McVay to once again use Gurley as the elite threat he is to secure a win and keep pace as the #1 seed in the NFC.
Talib’s Return Helps Solidify Rams’ Secondary
The former Bronco, Aqib Talib, returned to the Rams’ secondary on Sunday.
Aqib Talib returned to action on Sunday to help the reeling Rams’ secondary and helped make a key difference. By limiting Lions’ quarterback, Matthew Stafford, to 245 yards and causing 2 key turnovers, the Rams defense put on one of their better performances of the year. The Achilles’ heal of this defense this year has typically been the poor play of the secondary at times, allowing huge plays and long touchdowns that have kept opponents in games. However, with Talib’s return after an 8 game absence due to a calf injury, the Rams secondary looked much more like the elite unit that was expected out of the group. If the Rams can continue this type of play in upcoming weeks on the road against Chicago and at home against Philadelphia, the Rams will find their defense in a much better position, already led by the dominant force up front known as Aaron Donald. This Rams’ secondary still has a ways to go after their nice performance in Detroit on Sunday, but the game can be used as a solid building block for what could be a Super Bowl-winning year.
Rivers Leads Huge Comeback to Raise Bolts to Contender Status
Chargers’ quarterback, Philip Rivers, put on huge second half performance to lead the Chargers over the Steelers.
After a sloppy 1st half performance by the Bolts on Sunday Night Football, Philip Rivers and the Chargers’ offense found their groove against a vulnerable Steelers’ squad. With a limited run game in the first half from Austin Ekeler and a lot of pressure in the face of Rivers throughout the game, the Chargers’ offense was faced with an uphill climb to pull of a Sunday Night win. However, Rivers and company were up to challenge that the Steeler defense provided and capped off an outstanding comeback with a 33-30 win on a game-winning field goal from rookie kicker, Michael Badgley. Led by a nice performance from former Northwestern running back, Justin Jackson (8 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD), and timely plays from Rivers on offense, the Chargers were able to put up a second half comeback to keep themselves in the thick race of the #1 seed in the AFC. In addition, rookie safety, Derwin James, was able to make elite plays throughout eh game to keep the Chargers in a position to hang around. Another touchdown on a punt return from Desmond KIng helped propel to the Chargers to tie the game late in the 4th before Rivers helped move the ball down the field for the win with 4 minutes left. A win of this magnitude like this has rarely happened for the Chargers in recent years, as they were able to shred their label as pretenders that has developed over the years. Led by the toughness and leadership of head coach, Anthony Lynn, this Charger team has potential to go head to head with the elite of the AFC in this year’s playoffs, such as Kansas City, New England, and Houston. Only time will tell, but a huge win under the lights of Sunday Night Football sets the Chargers in position to run the table in the AFC and hope to reach their first Super Bowl since 1994.
Allen Rises to the Occasion on SNF
Keenan Allen showed up on Sunday Night for the Chargers as Rivers’ primary target.
Re-emerging as Philip Rivers top target and one of the elite weapons in the NFL, Keenan Allen was able to put on a receiving show for the Bolts. With 14 catches, 148 yards, and 1 touchdown on a ricochet from two Steeler defenders, Allen was able to once again remind receivers why he is still regarded as an elite weapon that must require tight coverage at all times. Lanky size and exceptional route running were on full display from Allen and he was often relied upon from Rivers in crucial situations in the game such as 3rd down and the key two point conversions needed to get the Chargers back into the game. Allen has gained little to zero publicity this year, with Rivers and running back, Melvin Gordon III, garnering most of the headlines for this truly elite offense. However, Allen was at his very best on Sunday night, even gaining a game ball from Michelle Tafoya and the Sunday Night Football crew. If Allen is able to continue this type of performance in the coming weeks and heading into the playoffs, few teams will be able to match or keep up with the firepower of the Chargers’ offense when premier players like Allen, Rivers, and Gordon are at their best.