MVN - Most Valuable Network

Philip Rivers & Defense Lead Chargers Past Titans

The game plan of the Tennessee Titans was obvious. Shut down L.T., keep it close and force the Chargers young quarterback to beat them. Well, they accomplished all three. Unfortunately for Jeff Fisher and company, only the first one helped as the Chargers used a dominating second half to post a 17-6 victory in an AFC Wild Card game. It was the first ever playoff win for the nucleus of this era, players such as LaDainian Tomlinson, Jamal Williams and Quentin Jammer. Only long snapper David Binn remains from 1994, the last time the Bolts moved past the first round.

Although Tennessee controlled LaDainian Tomlinson’s rushing dimension, the NFL’s top running back played an intelligent game. He was more of a factor with his mind than his legs, calling a key timeout just before the Chargers took what would have been a costly delay penalty and retaining the presence of mind to continue a second effort on the games final touchdown. The Titans hounded him all game long, and only after the front seven of the nation’s fifth-ranked defense got tired did the leagues leading rusher find much daylight. But he was still effective because with a weapon like L.T., he has to be respected. The Titans focus on stopping LaDainian meant they were daring the Charger passing game to beat them. And it did.

Early on, things looked rainy on the field as well as in the skies. The Titans dominated the trenches in the first half, and used that advantage to build a 6-0 halftime lead on two field goals. The Legions of the Lightning Bolt had some nervous moments early. Playoff disappointments two of the preceding three years had tempered optimism in San Diego, and in both of those losses the Bolts were the team in control early.

But the defense did it’s job, keeping the Titans in check despite being on the field nearly the entire half. Rob Bironas did convert two field goals, but the Titans best touchdown opportunity evaporated when Shawne Merriman forced a fumble at the 8 yard line and Shaun Phillips jumped on it. A Phillip Rivers interception and a missed Nate Kaeding kick combined to keep the Bolts off the board. Still, after the way the Titans dominated early, a six point deficit at the half was less than overwhelming. At least to the players. Fans cast out boos to mix with the precipitation that was raining on the Bolts as the retired to the locker room. After seeing Antonio Gates leave with a toe injury and the Titans score on the final play of the half, frustration walked the aisles at Qualcomm.

That frustration ended in the second half, and mostly because of Rivers and the playcalling of Norv Turner. Rivers was phenomenal, going 6 for 6 on third down throws and leading the Bolts to 17 unanswered points. All of this without his favorite target, Antonio Gates. Instead, Rivers made veteran Chris Chambers’ first playoff game a memorable one as he threw to Chambers 6 times for 121 yards and hit Vincent Jackson 5 times for 114 yards and the first touchdown of the day.

Overall, Rivers was 19-30 for 292 yards and a touchdown. The one interception he threw was in the first half and was a legitimate shot at a touchdown on which Titan CB Cortland Finnegan simply made an outstanding play. Simply put, the Titans came on the field and said only Philip Rivers can beat us today. Rivers responded by, in the words of an emotional Norv Turner, “playing his a** off.”

Turner could save some of that praise for himself. He called a brilliant game in the second half after having his opportunities severely limited in the first. He never went away from the run, which kept the passing lanes open. He adjusted to the loss of his number one threat in the passing game. And he showed both wisdom and aggressiveness, kicking a field goal early in the second half rather than allowing momentum to dissipate after the Bolts first successful drive and then going for it on fourth and goal to put the game away.

I’ve definitively been one of Norv’s critics, especially about the lack of touches for L.T. early in the year. To Norv’s credit, he often responded that he needed to develop the passing game and more assorted looks for the playoffs. Sure, our response was that he needed to get there first, and while I stand by that, I have to admit that Norv looked like a genius today.

The Charger defense seemed to come to life after the Merriman forced fumble, and they proved tough the rest of the afternoon, especially late in the game. They were fired up and playing effectively with great emotion. Despite the first half success, Vince Young finished with only 138 yards passing and LenDale White was limited to 69 yards rushing. Most importantly, they won the turnover battle and kept Tennessee out of the end zone.

Next week, San Diego travels to Indianapolis to take on the defending champions, in a game that is unlikely to resemble the Bolts midseason victory in any way.

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 6th, 2008 at 11:43 pm and is filed under Game Reports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.