5-4 para la temporada.
Ocho partidos por jugar.
1-1 para la segunda mitad después del bye.
En San Francisco se cayó ante un muy buen equipo que venía de su propia semana bye. Lo que menos quiero es que este artículo suene a que estoy buscando maneras de justificar la derrota ante 49ers.
Se perdió, y con ello se fue el deseo de enfrentar a los Kansas City Chiefs con la real posibilidad de subir al tope de la división. Y pese a todo lo que acá intentaré explicar, el de anoche fue un partido que perfectamente se pudo ganar.
Se perdió porque después de un gran comienzo en la primera ofensiva del equipo (TD de 32 yardas de Herbert para Carter) el equipo se quedó sin respuesta alguna ante la mejor defensa de la NFL, especialmente en el 2do tiempo donde no se anotaron más puntos.
Pero en los primeros dos cuartos, los Chargers tuvieron una gran oportunidad de poner suficiente distancia en el marcador y hacer del partido, algo muy distinto.
Dos viajes a la zona roja de los 49ers terminaron en goles de campo de Cameron Dicker, y si al menos uno de aquellos terminaba con un TD, el marcador final pudo ser diferente.
RB AUSTIN EKELER:
"Siento que las oportunidades en la primera mitad...no las aprovechamos…dos veces en la zona roja, terminamos con goles de campo, pienso que esa fue la historia del partido para nosotros. No podemos esperar ganar partidos con goles de campo, tenemos que anotar TDs. Yo tuve un par de oportunidades y no las aproveché. Pienso que no hice mis jugadas cuando estuve ahí. Siento que uno de mis trabajos mas importantes es anotar en la zona roja. Hoy no fui capaz de hacerlo. En la segunda mitad salimos y no jugamos para nada bien. Tuvimos cero puntos y obviamente eso es inaceptable a cualquier nivel."
Mucho pudo cambiar con un TD más porque la defensa de Chargers jugó lo suficientemente bien como para ganar el partido.
Esta unidad compitió a un alto nivel pese a todas las ausencias, y a que se continuaron perdiendo jugadores durante el partido (Christian Covington por una lesión en su pectoral izquierdo y Otito Ogbonnia por lesión en su rodilla izquierda).
JUGADORES PERDIDOS PARA EL AÑO:
Rashawn Slater, J.C. Jackson, Austin Johnson y Jaylen Guyton (y a esperar lo que pase con Covington)— tres de ellos titulares.
LESIONADOS POR MÚLTIPLES SEMANAS:
Keenan Allen, Joey Bosa, Mike Williams, Joshua Kelley, Donald Parham Jr., Dustin Hopkins (también su reemplazante Taylor Bertolet), Corey Linsley (y ahora se suman Trey Pipkins III y Gerald Everett).
Y hay varios otros que se quedan fuera de la lista.
Las lesiones han golpeado al equipo de una manera brutal e impredecible. Porque se sabe que todas las temporadas habrá lesiones en la NFL, pero no a este nivel. Los Chargers han perdido a jugadores claves semana tras semana, y ahora da la impresión de que es cuarto a cuarto. Nadie se puede preparar para algo semejante.
Browse through live action photos of the Bolts Week 10 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
The Los Angeles Chargers were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.
Y aun así, el equipo ha encontrado la manera de continuar compitiendo, semana tras semana. Sin importar quien salga a la cancha y sin importar todas las ausencias. Lo que habla maravillas de la convicción grupal, de los líderes en el vestidor y también habla muy bien de Brandon Staley.
Se que algunos no lo quieren escuchar, porque se concentran en la derrota y en la falta de respuesta en el 2do tiempo (y no están equivocados), pero estar 5-4 después de todo lo que han tenido que enfrentar, no es nada menos que admirable.
COACH STALEY:
"Pienso que nuestro equipo jugó con mucho corazón. Pasaron muchas cosas en la linea defensiva. Terminamos el partido con tres linieros defensivos. Pienso que fuimos muy duros en el ataque terrestre (considerando que al frente estaban McCaffrey y Samuel, finalmente fue Mitchell el que más daño causó). Ellos son muy buenos corriendo la pelota. Siento que nuestros jugadores hicieron un muy buen trabajo. En el 2do tiempo tuvimos que jugar muchas jugadas. Hubo un par de terceras oportunidades que fueron muy duras. Perdimos la oportunidad de golpear. Los teníamos en buena cobertura, pero ellos hicieron un par de buenos pases y buenas atrapadas así que hay que darles crédito. Pero estuvimos encima de ellos esta noche. Estuvimos encima y pienso que nuestros muchachos realmente jugaron muy duro y jugaron el partido como se debía jugar."
Nada de eso es exagerado. Staley tiene mucha razón.
Las lesiones de Ogbonnia y Covington dejaron al equipo sin profundidad en la línea. Sebastian Joseph-Day tuvo que jugar 62 snaps. 62 de un total de 71. Es la máxima de su carrera. Para un jugador de sus características, jugar el 87% de los turnos es una barbaridad. Llegó al final del juego en reservas. Pero no había opciones.
En su primer partido del año con real acción Breiden Fehoko estuvo en la cancha para 42 snaps o un 59% del total. El tiempo final de posesión, los Chargers lo tuvieron por 23:01 minutos mientras que los 49ers tuvieron la pelota por 36:59 minutos. Esa disparidad cansa a cualquier defensa no importa que tan dominante seas.
Ofensivas largas, con San Francisco intercambiando a McCaffrey y Mitchell para su ataque por tierra y claro, el peligro permanente de Samuel. Los 49ers es un buen equipo en serio, y se encontraban lo más saludables que han estado este año.
En condiciones óptimas sería un gran desafío competirles, el haberlo hecho con todos los problemas de lesiones que enfrenta el equipo no puede mirarse en menos.
Pero se perdió. Y en el 2do tiempo, la ofensiva nunca pudo solucionar a la defensa local. Y eso es algo que se tiene que solucionar urgentemente porque la defensa de Kansas City, sin ser lo que son los 49ers, es una unidad mucho más completa de lo que eran en temporadas pasadas, donde igual ganaron mucho.
Que si ayudaran Calle 13 y 80/20? ¿Ustedes que piensan? Es muy distinto lanzarle a Keenan Allen y Mike Williams que a los jugadores que ahora está buscando Justin Herbert cada vez que escanea la cancha. Esto no quiere decir que Joshua Palmer, DeAndre Carter, Michael Bandy, Tre McKitty y compañía no están dando lo mejor de si en el emparrillado, porque no es así. El que juega lo está dando todo sin excepción.
Pero hay una razón por la cual Keenan Allen promedia más de 1,000 yardas por aire en más de 100 recepciones por año en las últimas 4 temporadas. Es simple matemática. Desde el 1er cuarto del año ante Raiders, Herbert está jugando sin su mayor amenaza por aire (lo
lo extraña más aún en 3ras oportunidades).
Y para el rival también es muy distinto preparar un esquema defensivo cuando Allen está en la cancha. Su presencia hace mejor a Mike Williams, hace mejor a Austin Ekeler y hace mejor a Justin Herbert. Y viceversa. Todos se complementan y ayudan en la cancha. Es una mejor ofensiva. No es una excusa, es una explicación.
Khalil Mack tiene siete capturas este año (ayer atrapó una vez a Garoppolo). ¿Cuántas mas tendría con Joey Bosa atacando por el otro lado de la linea?
Y entiendo bien que estas suposiciones son solo eso y que a la realidad no le importa los "hubiera". De nuevo, acá hay que solucionar los problemas con lo que se tiene disponible.
Tras el partido el propio Keenan Allen salió a los medios sociales a decir que lo que más le dolía era no poder estar en la cancha ayudando al equipo, porque amaba a sus hermanos. Pero que está cerca...
Lo que también está cerca son los temibles Kansas City Chiefs, siguiente rival en el SoFi. Lideres de la división oeste de la Conferencia Americana (7-2), con una ofensiva eficiente como pocas, con la enorme presencia de un Patrick Mahomes que en Noviembre y Diciembre tiene el mejor récord para un QB en la historia moderna del football americano, y con un Andy Reid que nunca deja de sorprender con ese libro ofensivo.
A este equipo se le tendrán que parar los Chargers el domingo, con lo que tengan disponible, a competir otra vez, sin pestañear, porque acá no hay tiempo de sentir lástima de nadie.
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