Top run defense to be tested
The high powered Chiefs rushing offense will clash with the Bolts run stopping defense this Saturday in Kansas City.
San Diego’s run defense is anchored by massive defensive tackle Jamal Williams, who is making his first trip to the Pro Bowl this season. Williams and Shawne Merriman are tied for the team lead with seven tackles for loss and Williams’ 44 total tackles are tops among defensive linemen.
For five weeks this season, the Bolts run defense has ranked atop the NFL’s standings. The Chargers are giving up a league-low 74.9 yards per game on the ground, almost 10 yards less than the league’s second-ranked team, Denver, which is surrendering 84.6 yards per contest.
The Chargers ranked at the top of the rushing defense statistics the last three weeks and the weeks following their bye (Nov. 13) and their game against Buffalo (Nov. 20)
This season only Dallas (109) and Pittsburgh (104) have rushed for more than 100 yards and no individual player has rushed for more than 93 yards against the Bolts’ defense. The Chargers have held their last nine opponents to 579 total yards, an average of 64.3 rushing yards per game while going 7-2 during that stretch.
The Chiefs come into Saturday’s game with the NFL’s fourth-ranked rushing offense. Larry Johnson has rushed for 1,418 yards and 16 touchdowns. As a team, the Chiefs are averaging 145.4 yards per game on the ground, but in the first meeting of the season, San Diego held them to 95 yards on 21 carries.
It appears this Sunday’s match up will come down to who controls the line of scrimmage.
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Comments
Congrats to Jamal for making the pro bowl. I think you should have gone many years ago. but it is good to see you going this year.
Don Gooch (December 21, 2005 11:05 PM)
It's a first Wild Card...the best "run defense" have not important if we loss...ATTENTION is the "word" for offense...none turnovers...a "phisycal defense"...every single yard conquered from the Chiefs it is suffered...GO BOLTS!!!
Carlini giuseppe (December 22, 2005 5:49 AM)
We really need LT to step it up and be the LT of old this week.
I know he is hurt, but we need a big game from him, this is to keep our postseason hopes alive.
NYchargerFAN (December 22, 2005 7:03 AM)
BREAKING NEWS
Tony Dungy's son found dead
James Dungy, the 18-year-old son of Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy, was found dead in his apartment in Tampa, Fla., Thursday morning. Tony Dungy has left the team temporarily to go to Tampa. More details to come on this breaking news story
Fred Soriano (December 22, 2005 7:14 AM)
Its L.T. time not L.J.
ed (December 22, 2005 8:35 AM)
It was great too see the Chargers get some recognition yesterday when the Pro Bowl squads were announced. The only snub was Donnie Edwards not even being a Pro Bowl alternate. The guy is fifth in the NFL in total tackles on the number one run defense. He is all over the field. He's has 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions and 9 passes defensed. Great season Donnie!
Craig Ostrander (December 22, 2005 8:55 AM)
Hello there fellow Charger fans!, Just a thought:Randall Godfrey is planning to retire after this season ends. Wouldn't it be great if the Chargers bring Junior Seau again to fill that spot? He could call it a career in San Diego! GO BOLTS!!!
John (December 22, 2005 9:18 AM)
by the way... Go Raiders vs Broncos! (I can't believe I'm saying that!!)
And of Course, GO BOLTS!!!
John from Tijuana (December 22, 2005 10:48 AM)
No it would not be great! As much as I liked Junior in his day, his day is over by several years. Better to remember Junior from the '95 team and save the roster spot for talented young guys like Matt Wilhelm, Shaun Phillips, Stephen Cooper, and Marques Harris. The only I would want to see Jr. back is as an assistant.
Johnboltfan since 1961 (December 22, 2005 12:27 PM)
My three wishes are 1)L.T.runs like a manic 2)Have Drew bring his cannon 3)And the "D" bring their fence to the game.....GO BOLTS......
Damon Paschal (December 22, 2005 1:42 PM)
alright...the chargers need to do what the raiders did with Tim Brown...sign Junior on a 1 day contract..and have him retire as a Chargers...cuz that is where he shined the most
Boltfan in Oregon (December 22, 2005 3:31 PM)
I never missed a game while in SD since the day Chargers came to town. I moved to Klamath Falls Or. and I still do not miss a game. Only thing I can say for this week is to give it all you have. Go Chargeres
Butch Franson (December 22, 2005 5:50 PM)
Go Raiders!!!! Go Texans!!!! Go Browns!!!!
Did I leave anybody out???? Only for this week though....
GO BOLTS ALL THA WAY!!!!!
Jhoves (December 23, 2005 5:47 AM)
My prayers are with the Dungy family. I was born and raised in Sand Diego but I live in St. Louis now and manage a sports bar and boy I sport my Chargers gear all day long. All I can say is that our bar is filled with Chiefs fans all the time and I can't wait until the Chargers put the Chiefs in the ground!!!
Roy Uhl (December 23, 2005 12:47 PM)
Hey Chargers fans!!! Since moving to Oregon, we're even more crazy over OUR team! We love the Chargers and don't miss a game. Kick butt tomorrow against the Chiefs...you can do it!
Kimberly (December 23, 2005 7:19 PM)
I thought I was the only one who thought Junior should come back for one more year and finish in SD. Just imagine, if we don't make the Super Bowl this year, you know we're going to next year! How awesome would that be?!
For those of you who are skeptical, remember, Seau is still in his mid thirties... he's not over the hill... he's just a little banged up, but he'll rebound, at least for another year. If anybody has the tenacity, it's Junior... and you know he'll be more pumped up here in SD!
I say, sign him to a one-year million dollar contract with incentives and bonuses and I'm sure, as a native, he'll take it! He said he's not ready to retire. At worst, he can give a lot of experienced tips to the younger players and record some tackles, sacks and a pic or two. At best, he can have a banner year and finish with a ring with his home team/town! YEAH BABY!!
SHOW ME YOUR LIGHTNING BOLTS!!!
Ben Chavez (December 23, 2005 7:27 PM)
if the Chargers win the last 2, then them going to the playoffs is a very high possibility. those so called "experts" dont know anything.
John (December 23, 2005 11:01 PM)
Iam a charger fan in Mèxico since '84 and this is my santa's list for this year and the next:
a) Please Raiders do the miracle ¡¡¡¡
b) 1 top wide receiver in the league ...
c) Pass Defense ... another 2 Corners
d) Decent Schedule for the next year ...
e) Why not .. bring Junior one more year
CHARGER FOR EVER ¡¡
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