What can you say…
Did we win? No. Did we show potential of winning the game… for about 8 minutes in the fourth quarter.
In saying that, if we break it down there were positives to take from this match.
The starting kick off gave the Texan Bulls a little extra pep in their step as the Charger looked as though he was falling over, just like their logo.
We had a few stand-out plays and completions which left the Chargers feeling the pressure to begin with. Unfortunately, they clicked relatively early as to who were working these and quickly buried them, resulting in a few cheap shots on our players giving us penalties and opportunities to get over the line. This was not meant to be as the Chargers had the lead into the 2nd quarter.
The Chargers kept up pressure and resulted in another touchdown and conversion, leaving our boys trailing and confused about their next move. Our offense wasn’t making the yards and keeping up with their opponents. We had the curtain pulled over our eyes a few times with simple ‘draw in plays’, which meant losing the gap control leaving us feeling as though we were slipping down the side of a mountain…
Until an incredible, 75-yard touchdown by Dameon Pierce (#31)! Run, Run, Run!
He was away with no chance of catching him. Finally, we were in the game. Our fire was re-ignited with good pressure, forcing a couple crucial fumbles and incomplete potential touchdown passes. In saying that we also felt the pressure building with Mills needing to reel in some of his wild west throws and being swallowed up by the opposition. This newfound drive in our boys moved the Chargers into a kicking game to gather points. El Toro! Was cheered by all going into the second half. Well in our house at least...
Trailing by 20 points into the third quarter felt like an impossible task, but if anyone could do it, our boys would make a strong come back. We had great pressure and were awarded on many occasions 5 and 10 yards. However, we just couldn’t make anything of it and it felt very wasted. Our few breakaway stars who had potential for big plays were covered to the point of barely making an impression in this quarter. It wasn’t until two minutes remaining that Rex Burkhead (#28) had a good touchdown closing the gap a little, that we even felt a part of the game.
We entered the fourth riding on a high from our last touchdown. It must have been a good pep talk during the break as the boys came out strong, confident, hard hitting and not ready to throw this game away.
Collins (#12) and Burkhead (#28) had an excellent quarter pushing up yards whenever touching the ball. This was followed by Brandin Cooks (#13) our wide receiver who scored an exciting touchdown, closing the gap to three points! We were still in it and I have to say the following eight minutes (although in the big picture nothing happened) were the most exciting of the whole game, as we actually had a shot of stealing the lead. The Bulls were strong, forcing errors, turnovers, incomplete passes, and trip ups. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to hold out one last touchdown by the Chargers resulting in them running away with the win.
The final result: Chargers 34 to Texans 24.
As I said, lots of positives to take away from the game for instance when Mills was connected and in sync with his receivers it was hard to look away. There was also lots we can take away and strengthen for our next match. As George says, it’s still early in the season and anything could happen…
The rest of my picks for this week had little to be desired for. Just when I think I see a pattern emerging from past weeks’ triumphs, the dice get rolled and I’m out in the cold again. I might try a new technique next week for my picks, colour co-ordinating or which logo would come out in a fight to the death situation…
This week’s results are as follows:
Bengals Beat Dolphins 27-15
Vikings Beat Saints 28-25 (A Win)
Seahawks Beat Lions 48-45
Jets Beat Steelers 24-20
Giants Beat Bears 20-12
Titans Beat Colts 24-17
Chargers Beat Texans 34-24 (close but no cigarette)
Falcons Beat Browns 23-20
Cowboys Beat Commanders 25-10 (A Win)
Eagles Beat Jaguars 29-21 (A Win)
Bills Beat Ravens 23-20 (A Win)
Cardinals Beat Panthers 26-16
Raiders Beat Broncos 32-23
Packers Beat Patriots 27-24
Chiefs Beat Buccaneers 41-31 (A Win)
49ers Beat Rams 24- 9
Overall a bit of a mediocre game for the majority other then a few minutes in the last quarter when the boys really came alive, reeling in a bit of excitement and passion to the game. Finding their feet and displaying glimpses of potential with a little more structure and melding of our veterans and rookies. Onwards and upwards boys!
Keep it Together
Commenti