Film Study: How the Chiefs can clinch the division against the Chargers
By Grant Tuttle
Defensively:
This one is a no-brainer. Keenan Allen has looked like the only player that keeps the offense relevant since Melvin Gordon has been held out with an injury. It is my belief that if the Chiefs can slow down Allen, they win the game. Allen seems to be the “go to” player on offense over the last couple of weeks.
On this play, the Bengals gave up to a touchdown to Allen, who fakes inside and cuts upfield for a touchdown. The Chiefs will need to be wary of his route running ability. He is now easily Philip Rivers favorite target.
Make Philip Rivers nervous:
There is no quarterback in the NFL that benefits from pressure, but Rivers makes particularly poor decisions from time to time due to pressure. Because he does not have the same zip on his passes that he once did, he tends to lob passes more than he used to as well, benefitting defenders. If the Chiefs can create any kind of pressure, they could really knock the Chargers off of their game.
On this play, it demonstrates Rivers nervousness perfectly. This was designed to be a screen pass and so the pressure was allowed through to set up blocking downfield; However Rivers is so worried about getting smacked, he tosses the ball to the outside without a receiver anywhere close to it. Instead, it lands right in the hands of Von Miller who takes it back a long way. Yes, if the Chiefs can complete these first two defensive strategies, they win the game easily.
Don’t get beat on hitch routes in the middle of the field:
In trying to find an offensive tendency that did not include Melvin Gordon or Keenan Allen, I found that the Chargers like these quick hitting hitch routes. This is a good way to get some quick yards and keep defenders off-balance as well as build Rivers’ confidence. Safeties will need to be prepared to break on the ball as soon as it is thrown. Eric Berry’s return would help a lot in this regard.
On this play, Rivers finds Antonio Gates in the middle of the field and he goes for a solid gain after a broken tackle. The Chiefs will need to be ready for this type of route from any of the Chargers receivers. If the Chiefs miss the tackle, it could go for a much bigger gain.