Balance has been a buzzword at Chargers Park this season, and following the team’s 31-23 win over the Eagles Sunday, it was a very appropriate topic of conversation.
In the victory, the Chargers ran the ball 28 times and passed 27 times (includes two sacks). It was the third time this season they’d had more rushes than passes, and all three occurrences have come during the team’s current four-game win streak.
“I like the mix,” Head Coach Norv Turner said Monday. “I like getting the explosive plays and I thought we gave (
The Chargers have won three times this season when they’ve gone to the air more than the run, but their aim for balance was rewarded Sunday. They averaged a season high 4.3 yards per carry, a half yard more than their previous best this season. Save a kneel down at the end of the first half, the Chargers had just one negative rush Sunday, and they fed off their early success.
“When you talk about a rhythm, this was it,” Tomlinson said. “Staying in the run game and allowing the guys to come off and hit them. That was a good defense, so for us to run the ball as effectively as we did shows a lot. It shows that we can run the ball when we need to.”
Added guard
Tomlinson paced the rushing attack with a season-best 96 yards and fueled San Diego’s second-highest scoring output of the season.
“When he’s playing that way, that’s when we’re at our best,” said tight end
Turner praised Tomlinson for his big day and also credited his offensive line, one that he sees as finding their groove.
“LT looked explosive,” Turner said. “He hit a crease (on the 20-yard touchdown run). He was patient. He did the things he does. He did have the ankle injury early in the season. He missed two games. I think he’s getting into a good rhythm and we’re getting into a better rhythm blocking for him. I thought we had a good mix and a good rhythm and that’s important.”
Injury update
The Chargers reported just two new injuries from Sunday’s game: offensive tackle
Linebacker
Got it covered
When Turner spoke of his team’s “complete performance,” he discussed all three phases. Philadelphia’s dangerous returners averaged a modest 21.5 yards per return on kickoffs and 4.3 yards on punt returns. Part of that was due to a stellar day by
“That was as big a challenge as we’ve had,” Turner said. “Getting some of those young guys in has certainly helped us once they’ve gotten the feel for what we’re doing. I think they rose to the challenge of covering those guys and they’re awfully good returners.”
This week the Chargers face a Broncos team that returned both a kickoff and punt for a touchdown in their Week 5 meeting at Qualcomm Stadium.
Hanging tough
Like Chargers defenders said Sunday, Turner didn’t think much of the 450 passing yards his team allowed because the Bolts kept Philadelphia from hitting the long touchdown.
“They have very dangerous receivers,” Turner said. “When they score a lot of points, it’s when those guys make big plays. The big plays are what got them into the red zone. Those plays are dangerous.”
Turner acknowledged that the Chargers didn’t blitz much Sunday because of Donovan McNabb’s ability to recognize pressure and make teams pay for bringing it.
“Their biggest plays were screens and seams and they came all against blitz,” Turner said. “They handled the blitz. We didn’t get to him (much). I don’t think going into the game you expect to get to a guy like McNabb because of their style of offense, how experienced he is. Three or four of the zone blitzes he got the ball out right as his fifth step hit. He hit the hole that we vacated with the blitz.”
Norval Tomlinson?
LaDainian Tomlinson’s news of his wife’s pregnancy was again a big topic Monday. Turner said that he predicted a big day from LT after he had heard the news. Turner also offered some assistance.
“I told him I had a couple suggestions for names if he needed any,” Turner joked. “He said he didn’t need any.”
Turner laughed when asked what he was going to suggest.
“Not mine,” he said. “I’m still mad at my mom about that.”
