The Lightning Round: A Los Angeles Chargers Podcast

Garrett is joined by Craig Smith to recap the Chargers losing the regular season finale to the Denver Broncos on the Lightning Round Podcast: After Hours. They live streamed their reactions regarding how the Chargers lost and some of the major turning points in the game.

Defensively, the Chargers uncharacteristically gave up a lot of big plays through the air. The biggest beneficiary was Jerry Jeudy who caught five passes for 154 yards including a 57-yard bomb down the sideline. Russell Wilson finished with 283 passing yards and three touchdowns. The Broncos had 205 yards on the ground led by running back Latavius Murray who had 103 yards and a rushing touchdown.

Justin Herbert was solid again today despite the result. Herbert was 25 of 37 with 273 passing yards and two touchdowns. Keenan Allen doubled his receiving touchdowns on the season with two today, one from Justin Herbert and one late in the fourth quarter from Chase Daniel. The Chargers had six receivers with over 30 yards receiving yards but Allen led the team with 102 yards on eight catches on the the game. Gerald Everett has had back-to back games with a receiving touchdown. The biggest milestone on the day was Austin Ekeler getting his 107th reception on the season which is a new Chargers franchise record.

The guys talk about why Brandon Staley elected to keep the starters in as long as he did when the result didn’t matter, if they are worried heading into the playoffs and Craig gives a brief rundown of the matchup in Jacksonville and ends with a score prediction.

That and more is all on the Lightning Round Podcast: After Hours!

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Garrett and Jamie recap the Chargers Week 17 win over the Los Angeles Rams on the Lightning Round Podcast: After Hours. They live streamed their reactions regarding how the Chargers won and some of the major turning points in the game.

Defensively, the Chargers held the Rams to ten total points but struggled stopping the run. The Rams had 166 yards on the ground led by running back Cam Akers who had 123 yards and a long 42-yard run down the sideline that setup a field goal and the Rams first and only lead of the game. The interior guys for the Chargers struggled against the run but got to Baker Mayfield who was sacked three times including a strip sack, fumble recovery by Kyle Van Noy. The defense held their own despite the run game, only giving up 132 yards through the air to Baker Mayfield and the Rams offense.

Justin Herbert got back on track highlighted by two red zone touchdowns to his tight ends Gerald Everett and Donald Parham. Austin Ekeler had another two TD day which was highlighted by a 72 yard foot race for a touchdown. Mike Williams and Keenan Allen both had highlight reel catches, Williams finished with seven catches for 94 yards and Keenan Allen had five receptions for 60 yards.

The guys talk about how the Chargers offense showed everything today as they are headed into the playoffs and how this was Joe Lombardi’s best game as the Chargers OC.

That and more is all on the Lightning Round Podcast: After Hours!

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Once a month–throughout the entirety of the NFL season, we will recap what's going on across the entire AFC West. Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride, Tim Lynch of Mile High Report, Bill Williamson of Silver and Black Pride, and Michael Peterson of Bolts from the Blue catch up on the latest. The Chiefs and Chargers have already clinched playoff spots–while the Broncos have moved on from Nathaniel Hackett and the Raiders appear to be moving on from Derek Carr.

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Garrett and Jamie recap the Chargers Week 16 win over the Indianapolis Colts to clinch a playoff spot on the Lightning Round Podcast: After Hours. They live streamed their reactions regarding how the Chargers won and some of the major turning points in the game.

Defensively, the Chargers shut down Colts quarterback Nick Foles and held the Indianapolis offense to three points on Monday. The Chargers third down defense was locked in, the Colts didn't convert a single third down all game long and went 0-10 on the game. As an offense, the Colts had 173 total yards. The Bolts defense got seven sacks, three interceptions and three consecutive 4th down stops to end the game.

Justin Herbert and the offense had their moments but struggled again. Herbert finished with two turnovers (an interception and a fumble) zero passing touchdowns and was sacked four times. Keenan Allen led all receivers with 10 catches for 104 yards. It was the run game that sealed it for the Chargers behind two rushing touchdowns from Austin Ekeler. The team ran the ball on six consecutive plays capping off a 12 play, 88 yard touchdown drive that sealed the game at 20-3.

The guys talk about how the Chargers got the win to punch their ticket to the playoffs and the teams they would most like to see in the playoffs and the teams they would least like to see.

That and more is all on the Lightning Round Podcast: After Hours!

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Garrett and Jamie recap the Chargers Week 15 win over the Tennessee Titans on the Lightning Round Podcast: After Hours. They live streamed their reactions regarding how the Chargers won and some of the major turning points in the game.

Defensively the Chargers kept the Tennessee Offense in check giving up 14 total points and under 300 yards of total offense. The Chargers third down defense was particularly sharp holding the Titans offense to 2 of 10 on third downs on the game and at one point made seven straight stops on third down up until that last drive of the game for Tennessee. The bolts got some timely sacks from guys like Drue Tranquill, Kyle Van Noy and Chris Rumph, who’s sack pushed the Titans back for a long field goal attempt that Randy Bullock eventually missed.

Justin Herbert had a rough day. He had two turnovers, made some bad decisions and ran into a few sacks but with the game on the line Herbert delivered. Herbert redeemed himself much like wide receiver Mike Williams who was the intended target on both of Herbert’s interception (though they may not have been all his fault) but it was his catch on the sideline that setup Cameron Dicker’s game winning field goal.

The guys talk about how the Chargers got two season defining wins against two potential playoff teams: Dolphins and Titans, Brandon Staley simplifying his defensive scheme and how Herbert is succeeded in spite of Joe Lombardi’s playcalling.

That and more is all on the Lightning Round Podcast: After Hours!

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Garrett and Jamie recap the Chargers Week 14 win over the Miami Dolphins on the Lightning Round Podcast: After Hours. They live streamed their reactions regarding how the Chargers won and some of the major turning points in the game.

Defensively the Chargers locked Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa down, Tua finished 10/28 with 145 yards passing and one touchdown. Almost half of Tua’s total yards came on one play which was a 60 yard pass to Tyreek Hill down the sideline while Chargers cornerback Michael Davis fell down in coverage for the walk in touchdown. Outside the one big play to Hill and some extra yards at the end of the game when the Chargers were playing prevent to try to make sure the Dolphins didn’t score a touchdown, the Dolphins offense could not get going. In fact, in the first half Tua was 3/15 for 25 yards with only three first downs. He had a 20% completion percentage in the first half which was the lowest of any quarterback this season.

Justin Herbert was a wizard again. Herbert was 39/51 for 367 yards and a touchdown. He was pressured a lot but was moving in the pocket beautifully to keep plays alive and made some unbelievable throws...again. Mike Williams returned to the lineup and led the team in yards and had the team’s only receiving touchdown. Williams eclipsed 100 yards with 116 coming off of six receptions, one of which was a 55 yard bomb with nice touch from Herbert from other opposite hash. Keenan Allen led the team in receptions with 12 just finishing under 100 yards with 92 on the day.

The guys talk about how the Chargers dominated from start to finish, Brandon Staley’s defensive gameplan and some end of the year record predictions.

That and more is all on the Lightning Round Podcast: After Hours!

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Garrett and Jamie recap the Chargers Week 13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on the Lightning Round Podcast: After Hours. They live streamed their reactions regarding how the Chargers lost and some of the major turning points in the game.

Defensively the Chargers began the game strong holding Josh Jacobs to under 40 yards rushing in the first quarter but then the flood gates opened and Jacobs finished with 144 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers got two quick turnovers, a fumble caused by Chargers linebacker Kenneth Murray on Josh Jacobs and Asante Samuel Jr. tipped a pass in the air that cornerback Bryce Callahan returned for a touchdown. Right after that, the Raiders scored on five of their next seven possessions gaining the lead that won them the game despite two chances for Justin Herbert to come back from behind to win.

Offensively, Justin Herbert and company only scored one touchdown off an incredible 4th down throw from Herbert to Keenan Allen in the end zone. For the seventh game in a row the Chargers offense could not score a touchdown in the third quarter. Justin Herbert had two chances to win the game in the end, one that resulted in a turnover on downs and the last throw of the game to DeAndre Carter was caught in bounds until the clock ran out.

The guys talk about the coaching staff as a whole, how they can not dig themselves into holes if they want to make a playoff push and the lack of in-game management from Brandon Staley.

That and more is all on the Lightning Round Podcast: After Hours!

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Garrett and Jamie recap the Chargers win over the Arizona Cardinals on the Lightning Round Podcast: After Hours. They live streamed their reactions regarding how the Chargers lost and some of the major turning points in the game.

Defensively the Chargers got ran over to start the game with the Cardinals rushing for 72 yards in just the first quarter. Arizona jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead off a 33-yard Kyler Murray dart over the middle to DeAndre Hopkins who caught it and shrugged off a poor tackle attempt from rookie free safety JT Woods. While they later gave up touchdowns to James Connor through the air and Kyler Murray on the ground, they were able to clamp down late to give the offense a chance to win it late forcing three 3-and-outs to end the game.

Offensively, Justin Herbert and company got off to another slow start gaining only 11 yards on 12 plays resulting in three straight punts. On their next three possessions (not including the kneel down going into halftime) the Chargers scored seventeen points and won the third quarter 3-0. It all came down to some Justin Herbert magic who orchestrated a seven play, 38 yard drive capped off by a Austin Ekeler touchdown pass. Brandon Staley reverted back to his aggressive coaching tactics and went for the two-point conversion to win the game on the road in Arizona.

That and more is all on the Lightning Round Podcast: After Hours!

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Once a month–throughout the entirety of the NFL season, we will recap what's going on across the entire AFC West. Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride, Tim Lynch of Mile High Report, Bill Williamson of Silver and Black Pride, and Michael Peterson of Bolts from the Blue sit down to discuss the status update on the AFC West. It's been a rough season for the Broncos and Raiders. The Chargers are still alive in the playoff race–and the Chiefs have separated themselves from the division.

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