don't count us out. pic.twitter.com/djElzrvtn5
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) December 14, 2018
On the night where the Kansas City Chiefs got safety Eric Berry back in the lineup and led the visiting Los Angeles Chargers through the first 59 minutes, the Bolts got bold. Los Angeles Chargers QB Philip Rivers led his team on an 8-play, 61-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass to WR Mike Williams. But instead of kick the extra point, never a given with Anthony Lynn’s Chargers, Los Angeles decided to see if they could gain two yards on one play to take a lead with four seconds remaining. The Chiefs failed to cover Williams, and that was game.
Now the Chargers and Chiefs are tied at the top of the AFC West, with Los Angeles finally getting a split of the season series after years of getting dominated by the Chiefs.
In other, personal news, I went to Monday Night Football. It could have been better.
Teams of the Week:
BUF, PIT, HOU, LAC
PHI, CHI, NO, SF
Winning units:
LAC pass offense (WR Mike Williams)
HOU offensive line (QB Deshaun Watson)
CLE run defense (SS Jabrill Peppers)
ATL run offense (RB Tevin Coleman)
BAL run defense (NT Brandon Williams)
BUF special teams (K Steven Hauschka)
CHI run defense (OLB Leonard Floyd)
CIN offensive line (QB Jeff Driskel)
IND run defense (DE Tyquan Lewis)
JAX pass defense (CB Fabian Moreau)
MIN run offense (RB Dalvin Cook)
TEN run defense (SS Kendrick Lewis)
SF special teams (WR Richie James)
PIT run defense (ILB Vince Williams)
PHI offensive line (QB Nick Foles)
NO run defense (OLB Demario Davis)
Looking ahead to Week 16
Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers: Lamar Jackson in primetime! These teams haven’t faced each other much recently, with the last three meetings taking place in 2012, 2014, and 2015. All three of those games were decided by three points or fewer, and all of them were decided with furious fourth quarters. The Chargers have been winning that type of game all season.
Texans at Philadelphia: Very impressive win in Los Angeles for the Eagles, and a big part of it was the offensive line being allowed to control the game. The task is not easier with the Texans in town, but Houston’s offensive line has had to make QB Deshaun Watson do extraordinary things to keep things afloat. Whichever line plays better will go a long way in determining a winner here.
Steelers at New Orleans: We must protect Cameron Jordan. This will be Pittsburgh’s first indoor game of the season; they were last indoors last Christmas when they blew out the Texans. In fact, you have to go back to 2012 (Dallas) for an indoor game that the Steelers lost in. The Saints are on a short week, so I fully expect QB Ben Roethlisberger to put up efficient numbers on the road.
Chiefs at Seattle: The Chiefs lost their first meeting to the Chargers in ten meetings, while the Seahawks lost their first meeting to the 49ers in 11 meetings last week. Seattle’s defense isn’t what it used to be, so maybe QB Patrick Mahomes takes a significant step towards 5K yards and 50 TD passes. Neither team can stop the run, and the Chiefs have a better pass rush, so it will be interesting to see how Mahomes handles CenturyLink Field.
Broncos at Oakland: This is the Monday Night Football finale, and likely the last NFL game in the city of Oakland. The Raiders have been wearing black all season anyway.