Around the AFC West, Week 15: Chargers surprise, KC Chiefs survive
By Ellen Mathis
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers were slotted into Sunday Night Football against the Miami Dolphins in place of the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs. This looked like a game where the Chargers would be overmatched with all the injuries they have sustained, but low and behold, when you get your receivers back, suddenly Justin Herbert actually looks like a great quarterback.
I think Herbert is a great quarterback but is often held back by injuries and coaching. Well, the Chargers finally got healthy with both Mike Williams and Keenan Allen seeing the field.
The fact that the #Chargers can scheme up a deep corner route for Mike Williams while rolling the pocket away from the route cause they know Herbert can make this throw is absurd. pic.twitter.com/TAgHAbbAX3
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) December 12, 2022
It produced great results for the Chargers. Couple that with Austin Ekeler and the Chargers’ offense looked great.
Another look at the Austin Ekeler/Joshua Kelley power read from wild cat. By far my favorite call of the night 😍😍 pic.twitter.com/nUUXSWg5xr
— My Chargers Burner (@Herb2Slay) December 12, 2022
They almost blew it on a crazy fumble. Tyreek made a heads-up play and scored which allowed the Dolphins to hang around, but ultimately the Chargers held on.
Terron Armstead pushed the ball to Tyreek Hill from the bottom of the pile.
— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) December 12, 2022
Legendary play. pic.twitter.com/iMsq3OP9D3
After the game, I couldn’t help thinking that the Chargers looked like a team I did not really want to see in the playoffs. As they get healthy, the Chargers could be a sneaky team to watch out for…I still put my faith in Mahomes and the Chiefs, but I think division rivals are tough games. They know you so well that anything can happen. I would hate to walk into the playoffs and get eliminated by the Chargers after beating them twice in the regular season.
Next week, the Chargers get the Titans. The Titans are a bit of a mess having just lost to the Jaguars, but they play tough, physical football and are fighting for their division. I anticipate they punch the Chargers in the mouth and we could see a defensive slugfest.