No Time Like The Present To Work Shit Out

I won't lie to you, FAITHFUL READER. I never have. When AJ Brown caught that pass with about two and a half minutes left, I thought that was it. There was no way they'd leave us any time after kicking a field goal, I figured. But the defense really stepped up the entire game and they did once again. I also thought there was no fucking way Herbert would be able to lead us down the field, especially with the clock running down.

The 3rd and 10 PI on Quentin Johnston saved us. I was surprised that Aikman and Buck agreed with the call. I guess looking at the screen shot below here it was a good call. In real time, Johnston seemed to flop after the contact. That might also have been his attempt at catching the ball. He did have one drop on Monday, but I am done criticizing him. He's been so much better than I could ever have imagined this year. Look at the opener in Brazil, he was light years better than the guy we saw all summer.

On the throw to Gadsen, I know Herb threw too high on the sideline. But I didn't realize that Phillips Darth Vadered Bobby Hart. To quote Walter in Lebowski, that shit ain't legal.

Trey Lance is all of us. What was so crazy about the game is that even though I was watching on ESPN, I guess I was a play behind because my phone was blowing up before I saw it. I even saw my daughter's text saying "nice win" and I wondered how the fuck we pulled it out.

It's crazy enough that Hurts even threw it when they were in field goal range. I guess he thought he could go for the kill shot. Also Minter's defense is at its best when it can bait guys into taking chances they shouldn't.

I think the aforementioned game-tying drive could be summed up at that Herbert simply willed the team to score. The fact that he called his own number on that scramble was fucking legendary. Of course, before kickoff we all heard about Chatty Phil's return to the NFL. I know it was just his scheduled workout at the time but we knew he would be playing. As his beloved coach said, he didn't do this to not play. I guess I am the only person who wouldn't want Phil to somehow win a ring. I mean I said that when he went to the playoffs in 2020. But, especially now, I really only care what the Chargers do or don't do. After watching Herbert summon a toughness that Phil himself would clearly admire, that's all I really think matters.

Daniel Popper did a great job summing up all the Chargers' heartbreaks and why tomorrow's chance to put the stake in their heart is such a big deal for this organization. To rest of the NFL, the Chiefs have been a dynasty but the Bolts aren't even a part of the story. It's the same thing with the Patriots. To us, they were the team that kept Chatty Phil from ever getting a ring. I guess we'd have to put the Steelers and Jets in there too. Nonetheless, we never beat New England in the playoffs in three tries. The only win we had was the 2008 Sunday Night win when Brady was out for the year.

I assume most fans will want us to put them down tomorrow. That's a rarity. We weren't even the sentimental favorite when we played the 49ers in the Super Bowl. Instead of pulling for the underdog, it seemed like people were more interested in Steve Young getting a ring. It won't affect what happens on the field in Arrowhead tomorrow, I know. It will be cold and the Chiefs will have a really tough time making the playoffs no matter what. But the Bolts will have yet another new lineman in there and have to find a way.

The blocking was abysmal on Monday. Of course, things looked good on the first drive when the offense could "stay on schedule" and ahead of the sticks. Roman did the same thing he did in the first half against the Raiders and leaned into the pass. That worked against KC the first time, but Herbert was healthy and we had Alt. He can't get away from the only formula to winning we have right now. If somehow these guys stop blocking like shit, they can have Herbert take deep drops. The same thing happened in Jacksonville. When he has time, he thinks he doesn't. I can't blame him for seeing ghosts.

It's funny that so many people weren't rooting for Rivers when he was a Charger, huh? Anyway, that motherfucker Justin Herbert is our QB now and thank God for that. The Chargers have a chance to make tomorrow the best Night 1 of Hanukkah imaginable. Hopefully, Hampton will get more touches. He did whiff on the block that led to Herbert's fumble, but he's a good blocker and we'll excuse him a little since he hadn't played since Week 5. There were a few carries where he was swallowed up the second he got the handoff. However, he looked good in OT.

That's all for now. Let's take the cheese.

JIC,

RLW