In the time since quarterback Phillip Rivers arrived in southern California, almost a decade ago, it has been all about the offense for the San Diego Chargers.
One reason these Chargers are 4-1 and sit atop the AFC West Division – one game ahead of last year’s Super Bowl finalist Denver Broncos – is their defence and more importantly, their ability to get after opposing quarterbacks.
Just ask Michael Vick.
“Maybe I didn’t prepare or I wasn’t prepared,” Vick told the New York Post a few days after his New York Jets suffered a 31-0 drubbing by the Chargers last week.
How can you properly prepare for San Diego? For years, their forte has been a pass-happy offense that chews up the clock with a veteran quarterback in charge. But a strong defence, led by veteran linebacker Dwight Freeney, has now taken shape for the Chargers.
Defensive success in the NFL is a special thing. It stands out even more so since NFL officiating and rules have become increasingly more pro-offense.
But a shutout? All but unthinkable.
“I don’t care if you do it against a collegiate team – shutting someone out is hard,” said Freeney, who is in his 12th year and is an eight-time Pro Bowler.
Five weeks into the season, the Chargers’ rout of the Jets served as the NFL’s first shutout of 2014. And this coming from an unlikely source. In 18 games last season, San Diego never took a shutout into the second half, much less the post-game shower.
They could make it two in a row because on Sunday when they face the winless Oakland Raiders, who have a lack of experience at quarterback. The Raiders will start rookie Derek Carr, limited this week by ankle and knee injuries, or Matt McGloin, who went 1-5 as a rookie starter last year.
Expect players like Freeney, safety Eric Weddle and linebacker Jarret Johnson to anticipate correctly the offence’s plans.
Freeney has already done some of the heavy lifting. From the outside linebacker position, he has made two of the team’s 12 sacks this season, hardly off the pace that made him a star in Indianapolis for 10 seasons, where double-digit sack totals were almost expected.
San Diego defensive coordinator John Pagano was happy with last week’s shutout but said he is not quite satisfied with Freeney and his defensive cohorts.
“Was there a lot of good last week? You’re darn right there was,” Pagano said. “But there’s still a lot that we can clean up and there’s still a lot that our players can focus in on.”
The Chargers have allowed the second-fewest points per game (12.6), third-lowest yards per game (290.8) and third-lowest passing yards per game (194.8).
So it may be time to step aside, Mr Rivers, because now the defence rules in southern California.
agray@thenational.ae
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