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Week 18 Game Recap: Tennessee Titans 6, San Diego Chargers 17
What you need to know
| Tennessee Titans |
RB LenDale White ran very effectively, despite the stats suggesting otherwise. He was consistently able to move the San Diego defenders backwards off the ball
QB Vince Young didn't make very many critical errors until his late interception with the Titans already down by eleven, but he also didn't make very many big plays to help them win. A lot of that can be attributed to a very suspect group of receivers he's throwing to.
The Titans defense came to play in the first half, holding San Diego to zero points and consistently bottling up RB LaDainian Tomlinson. But in the second half, the defensive line could get no pressure on QB Philip Rivers and several breakdowns in the secondary allowed constant long gains down the field for the Chargers passing game.
| San Diego Chargers |
The Chargers won a playoff game for the first time in 4,739 days (the last victory coming at Pittsburgh in the 1994 AFC Championship game in January 2005). The excitement was evident on the faces of the players and coaches, especially HC Norv Turner who was seen hugging LB Shawne Merriman and trying to dance with DE Luis Castillo on the sideline as the final seconds ran off the clock.
TE Antonio Gates suffered what is being called a sprained toe midway through the second quarter. In his absence, WRs Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson both excelled (each went over 100 yards) but losing Gates for an extended period could prove devastating to this team.
QB Philip Rivers played one of his best games of the season, and he was the talk of the locker room afterwards. Everyone heaped praise upon him, but he correctly identified the offensive line play as the biggest reason he was able to have success throwing the football.
RB LaDainian Tomlinson was bottled up for most of the game, but did manage to leap the pile for a controversial one yard touchdown run that put the game out of reach.
What you ought to know
| QB Vince Young, Pass: 16 - 29 - 138 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 2 - 12 - 0 |
Young was a game time decision after being banged-up in the season finale versus the Colts a week ago. While he took a few big shots in this game on several occasions and was slow to get up a couple of times, he never once left the game. As for his play, it left much to be desired though it's difficult to tell if it's entirely his fault. Obviously, Young has struggled in his second season, as evidenced by his 9:17 touchdown to interception ratio during the regular season. But there are very few playmakers on this Tennessee roster, and a quick look at the stat line for the Titans receiving corps shows that no one was able to capitalize downfield on what was a porous San Diego defense. The Tennessee passing game as a whole looks pretty putrid, as no one can get any separation and at one point they had two receivers run the same route to the same exact spot down the sideline. They just look very out of synch.
Young was under very little pressure for most of the first half and seemed to be moving around fairly well. He didn't take off and run very often, but he seemed able to elude would-be tacklers like he normally does. At one point, he showed terrific strength in avoiding a sack despite having LB Shaun Phillips hanging all over him. He managed to throw the ball away for an incompletion. In the third quarter there was still very little pressure on Young, and it wasn't until the fourth quarter when the Chargers really started applying any sort of pass rush on Young. It worked very well, specifically on back to back sacks late in the quarter that quelled a potential Tennessee drive.
| RB LenDale White, Rush: 19 - 69 - 0, Rec: 1 - -3 - 0 (1 targets) |
White had a lot of success running the football right at the heart of the Chargers defense, much like he did in the first meeting between these teams. A lot of his runs were of the straight ahead, smash them in the mouth variety. This plan worked extremely well in the first half of the game, but the Titans got away from him later in the contest. White had 50 yards at the half, but finished with just 69. It was his running that consistently gained 3-5 yards that always set the Titans up for manageable third down situations, and they took advantage of those repeatedly for much of the afternoon. At one point late in the first quarter, White carried the ball five teams in a row and seven of nine plays overall. When the Tennessee offense was running through him, the team was controlling the clock and holding the lead. When Tennessee could no longer run or chose to no longer run, the game got away from them.
| RB Chris Brown, Rush: 4 - 13 - 0 |
Brown didn't do anything well in the game, and actually had one of the costliest errors of the afternoon. Early in the second quarter, Tennessee led 3-0 and was driving deep in San Diego territory. The Titans were chewing up chunks of yardage on the ground and faced a second and nine from the San Diego 12 yard line. Brown was hit from behind by LB Shawne Merriman and coughed up the football, which was recovered by San Diego. That play didn't lead to any San Diego points, but it did keep Tennessee points off the board.
| WR Eric Moulds, Rec: 3 - 18 - 0 (4 targets) |
Moulds is clearly nowhere near the player he once was, but he is still adept at getting off the line for short yardage and has good hands when the ball is near him. All three of his receptions came on drives that eventually led to points for Tennessee.
| WR Justin Gage, Rec: 1 - 19 - 0 (5 targets) |
Gage dropped an early pass, caught a 19 yarder soon after, and wasn't heard from all that much for the remainder of the afternoon. He was involved in a strange play where both he and Chris Davis ran the same deep route down the sideline to the same exact spot. If nothing else, the play truly illustrated the issues there are with the Tennessee passing game, and it would be an all-time upset if Gage is one of Vince Young's primary targets in the passing game in 2008.
| TE Ben Troupe, Rec: 3 - 44 - 0 (3 targets) |
Troupe ran a nice route on a perfect fade pass down the sideline from Vince Young, which by itself would have made Troupe Tennessee's leading yardage receiver in the game. With Bo Scaife out with a lacerated liver, Troupe had a great opportunity for a big day. Three receptions for 44 yards won't wow anyone, but it was a solid performance on a day when no other receivers really impressed all that much.
| TE Ben Hartsock, Rec: 3 - 16 - 0 (3 targets) |
Hartsock was effective in short yardage, catching all three passes thrown in his direction. But his big gain went for just six yards, and he's not a factor in the passing game for this or any other team.
| PK Rob Bironas 2 - 3 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 6 points |
On a day when Bironas provided all of the point scoring for his team, it was the kick he didn't make that will stand out the most. With San Diego leading the Titans 10-6 early in the fourth quarter, Bironas lined up for a very makeable 38 yard field goal attempt. The kick sailed just wide to the left, and the Chargers took the ensuing possession and marched downfield 72 yards on twelve plays for the touchdown that put the game out of reach.
| TEN Rush Defense |
The Tennessee defensive plan was clearly to stop LaDainian Tomlinson at all costs and force QB Philip Rivers to beat them. The plan worked to perfection, as Rivers was under a lot of pressure and the receivers had a tough time getting separation. Not to mention, San Diego was hit with a couple of untimely penalties and could never really establish any kind of rhythm. In the second half, Rivers and company opened up the passing game a lot more and were able to move the ball downfield with much greater ease. Rather than commit extra defenders to the passing game, Tennessee stuck to its guns about not allowing Tomlinson to beat them. It worked, to an extent. Tomlinson did not beat them -- but Rivers did. In statistical terms, the Titans dominated against the run. Twelve of Tomlinson's 42 yards came on one run, which means he had just thirty yards on his twenty other carries (1.5 YPC). And even on his touchdown run, the Titans made a far better play than the Chargers did. Facing a fourth and goal from inside the one yard line, Tomlinson tried leaping over the pile for the touchdown. LB Stephen Tulloch came up and drilled Tomlinson in mid-air and sent him backwards. It was only after reaching the ball across the plan on the second effort that San Diego was credited with the touchdown.
| TEN Pass Defense |
The Titans did a masterful job of throttling LaDainian Tomlinson in the first half while also managing to keep the San Diego passing game in check. When TE Antonio Gates left the game with a toe injury, the chances for the Chargers to have much success through the air seemed to dwindle greatly. But rather than falter, the Chargers came up big. The offensive line protected Rivers extremely well and kept DE Kyle Vanden Bosch and DT Albert Haynesworth at bay, something that could not be said for the previous meeting between these teams. Additionally, the Titans defensive backfield suffered a number of breakdowns resulting in San Diego receivers getting completely wide open twenty and thirty yards downfield. In a tight game like this, even one big pass play can swing a game's momentum. For Tennessee, they repeatedly broke down in coverage and allowed the Chargers a number of long pass plays to help set up multiple second half scores. S Michael Griffin had an up and down game, saving a loss touchdown pass to Chris Chambers in the corner of the end zone, and then helping out underneath on a few plays where he should have instead been giving deep help over the top and subsequently allowing the Chargers to throw the ball downfield almost at will a few times.
| QB Philip Rivers, Pass: 19 - 30 - 292 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 2 - -2 - 0 |
Rivers proved his mettle in this contest, coming back from some early game struggles to lead his team on three separate scoring drives in the second half and claim the Chargers' first playoff win since the 1994 AFC Championship game (played in January 1995). The afternoon began inauspiciously, as Rivers fumbled on his very first drop-back of the game (the ball was recovered by Tomlinson). Soon afterwards, he made a bad pass in the end zone on a deep ball to Chris Chambers that was well underthrown and resulted in an interception. He had plenty of time to throw it and managed to set his feet well, but the pass still failed to reach its intended target. Soon after, Rivers was seen yelling at someone on the sideline, perhaps Chambers, and seemingly blaming him for not doing more to knock the ball away.
At halftime, several CBS analysts put at least some of the blame for the interception on Chambers, but at the end of the day it was still a poorly thrown pass. It was, however, one of the only poorly thrown passes Rivers would make all game. He hit Chambers in stride down the seam for 30. He hit Jackson down the sideline for 32 after a terrific pump fake. He hit a wide open Chambers deep downfield for 39 when Chambers wasn't even the original target of the play call. He hit Jackson in stride for a 25 yard touchdown. And perhaps most importantly, the Chargers said to a man that the biggest thing they saw from Rivers was that he maintained his poise and really grew as a leader. HC Norv Turner commented on it after the game, saying that the plan all season long was to not be a one-dimensional team that relies solely on LaDainian Tomlinson. As evidenced by this game, the Chargers can now find ways to win even when their star running back is struggling. And a lot of that had to do with the outstanding play of Rivers.
Aside from the interception, the only blemishes on Rivers' performances are minor. One a pass play early in the third quarter and facing a third and four from the Titans' five yard line, he opted to throw a pass to Vincent Jackson for three yards. He never saw LaDainian Tomlinson wide open in the right flat with just one man to beat for the touchdown (and the one man wasn't really all that close to Tomlinson, either). The other wasn't Rivers' fault at all, but rather a product of bad luck fantasy-wise. He threw a pass to Tomlinson early in the fourth quarter that resulted in a nine yard gain and a tackle at about the one foot line. Tomlinson nearly broke the plane, but was tackled just shy and cost Rivers a score. Tomlinson would go on to score on the ensuing play.
| RB LaDainian Tomlinson, Rush: 21 - 42 - 1, Rec: 3 - 19 - 0 (5 targets) |
Tomlinson had one of his toughest games, individually speaking, as a professional. His six yards at halftime was the second lowest rushing total in one half in his career, and the Titans clearly were making a concerted effort to ensure that they wouldn't allow Tomlinson to beat them. There was literally no room to maneuver, and he had to fight hard for every one of those 42 yards he picked up. And, as usual, despite a meager stat line, Tomlinson still managed to please fantasy owners by finding the end zone. He took a third down pass down to the one yard line and it was unclear whether the Chargers would kick the field goal and go up 13-6 or opt to try for the touchdown. HC Norv Turner elected to go for the score, and it worked. It was a controversial score, as Tomlinson leapt up and over the pile and was seemingly stopped. He was initially knocked back by LB Stephen Tulloch, but a second effort (with a little help on a shove from behind) resulted in the ball breaking the plane of the end zone for the score. That touchdown put the Chargers up 17-6 and put the game out of reach.
Tomlinson probably could have scored earlier in the game when he was wide open in the flat from five yards out, but Rivers never saw him. However, if the Chargers had scored there then it's unlikely they'd have gone for it on the fourth down run, so it's not like he missed out on a potential two touchdown day.
| RB Michael Turner, Rush: 9 - 28 - 0 |
Turner didn't get a ton of action, but he worked hard for his 28 yards. When he came into the game, it most definitely gave the San Diego running game a different feel. No one is suggesting that Turner is a better runner than LaDainian Tomlinson, but against a defense like this, power running was much more valuable than shiftiness and elusiveness. Perhaps that explains why Turner picked up 28 yards compared to Tomlinson's 42 despite taking 12 fewer carries.
| WR Chris Chambers, Rec: 6 - 121 - 0 (12 targets) |
Chambers showed just how much of an impact player he still is on multiple occasions in this game. Perhaps more importantly, with a possible serious injury to TE Antonio Gates, Chambers is clearly going to be looked to as the number one option in the team's passing game as long as the team is still alive in the playoffs and Gates is out.
Chambers started by showing terrific hands on a 30 yard reception down the seam early in the second quarter, and continued with a wide open bomb for 39 yards in the fourth. Had the ball been thrown a bit further downfield, Chambers likely would have scored, but Rivers cannot really be blamed on the play since it wasn't even designed for Chambers anyway and the Chargers were much more concerned with picking up the first down on third and ten than they were with immediately scoring. Chambers had nearly scored earlier in the game on another deep ball, but S Michael Griffin tipped the ball away at the last moment.
| WR Vincent Jackson, Rec: 5 - 114 - 1 (7 targets) |
Jackson, who has slowly been coming around lately, really came on strong and picked a great time for his best game of the season. He took advantage of breakdowns in coverage on several occasions by Tennessee defensive backs and got wide open down the sideline for several big gains. He had four different receptions of twenty yards or more, none more important than the 25 yard touchdown reception that put the Chargers up 10-6. Jackson came across the field near the goal line, made the catch, and sensed S Michael Griffin floating in his direction behind him. Rather than continue on his route and probably get tackled at the one or two yard line, Jackson made a great cut-back to lose Griffin, and then eventually dove into the end zone for the score. It was a terrific demonstration of both athleticism and awareness, and with the injury to TE Antonio Gates, the heroics by Jackson were made all the more crucial. If Gates is going to miss any time, Jackson would very definitely see an increased role over his typical duties in the offense.
| WR Craig Davis, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (1 targets) |
Davis caught an early pass and then wasn't looked to again the rest of the game. Still, if TE Antonio Gates is going to miss time next week or any subsequent weeks should the Chargers advance, it's likely that Davis' role would increase at least somewhat as everyone tries to pick up the slack.
| TE Antonio Gates, Rec: 2 - 15 - 0 (2 targets) |
After a short pass in the flat resulted in Gates slipping to the turf for a one yard loss, he attempted to get to his feet and advance the ball. Planting his feet into the turf, he was hit up high by the defender and had his foot/toe bent backward at an awkward angle despite his cleats remaining planted in the ground. He was helped off the field and eventually carted to the locker room with what was termed a sprained toe, though in the postgame press conference HC Norv Turner indicated that there is a possibility that it's more serious than that. Obviously, Gates did not return to the game and even more telling is the fact that he didn't return to the sideline. We'll keep you updated throughout the week on his status, and he is officially considered questionable to play against the Colts.
| TE Brandon Manumaleuna, Rec: 2 - 18 - 0 (2 targets) |
Manumaleuna hauled in a critical third down reception in the flat and made a nice cut-back move against the grain to fake out the defender. It was one of only two receptions for Manumaleuna, this despite the fact that starting TE Antonio Gates left the game with a toe injury in the second quarter. Still, if Gates misses time next week, Manumaleuna has shown that he can be a factor in short yardage and goal line situations as a pass catcher.
| PK Nate Kaeding 1 - 2 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 5 points |
Kaeding's playoff struggles continued, as he pushed a 45 yard attempt wide to the right on his first field goal try of the game. He did later bang in a 20 yard chip shot, but his confidence has to be an issue at this point with his history of missing kicks in big spots. Perhaps his injury or the field conditions came into play somewhat, but the reasons aren't nearly as important as the results at this point.
| SD Rush Defense |
San Diego was getting gashed the entire first half by LenDale White and anyone else on Tennessee that started off in the backfield. At times, no Chargers defender even got a hand on White until he was a good three yards past the line of scrimmage. And once he gets going, he can be extremely difficult to bring down. Some shoddy tackling by the Chargers also led to Ahmad Hall picking up a first down run on a crucial third and two carry late in the third quarter. In fact, the Chargers made it a habit of allowing crucial first downs on Tennessee runs, and the interior run defense (typically a strength of this team early in the season) was getting chewed up. The only time this run defense really rose up and made a huge play was early in the second quarter. The Titans were in the process of moving the football 59 yards on eleven plays (ten of them run plays) when Chris Brown took a handoff from the twelve yard line. LB Shawne Merriman got in behind Brown and put a helmet on the football, popping it up into the air where it was recovered by fellow LB Shaun Phillips. The Chargers weren't tested as much in the second half as they opened up a lead on the Titans and forced them to throw the ball a lot more than they wanted to, especially late.
| SD Pass Defense |
Through the first three quarters of the game, the Chargers appeared very content to give QB Vince Young all the time he wanted in the pocket and instead worry about keeping the receivers contained. That worked to at extent as the Chargers were never beaten for any big plays downfield, but it didn't work for the fact that the Titans consistently found themselves in manageable third down situations which they repeatedly converted. It wasn't until the fourth quarter that the Chargers really ramped up the pressure on Young. By that point, the Titans were in obvious passing downs and trailing by ten plus points, so the Chargers were having a little fun. Amazingly enough, on what would become essentially the game-clinching interception, CB Drayton Florence picked off Young's pass and turned upfield to run with the football rather than simply dropping to the ground. Apparently not all of the San Diego defensive backs learned their lessons from last year's playoff debacle against the New England Patriots.
S Clinton Hart had a rough game, capped off by his failure to intercept an easy pass that was lofted right into his hands. It's understandable that he's a defensive back and not a receiver and so his hands may be a bit suspect. But the ball was thrown so lightly that it's likely that 95% of all Pop Warner players across the land would have been able to catch the ball.
Another near miss came earlier in the game when LB Shaun Phillips appeared to have Young wrapped up for an easy sack, but the 6'5" 233 pound quarterback managed to maintain his footing and somehow throw the ball away.
