San Diego Chargers staying classy, but have found greatness in 'winning ugly' on top of AFC West with a 31-28 victory over Oakland Raiders

As ESPN's San Diego Chargers reporter Eric D. Williams explains after analysis of  San Diego play, the Chargers have found a way to win close games, consistently. The Chargers 'ugly wins' have San Diego sitting pretty on top of their division, the AFC West, at 5-1. Despite odds placed against San Diego this season, whom will have to oust Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos to maintain their domain of the AFC West, the Chargers are playing very good ball on both sides of the field. The five game winning streak is due to an ugly win against a win-less Oakland Raiders, whom are under new management with Tony Sparano as Head Coach, the win was an underwhelming performance. Nevertheless, Sand Diego Chargers' playmakers found another dogfight on the gridiron, yet again the Chargers came out on top.

Eric D. Williams accounts for the new found Chargers' success thanks to Phillip Rivers. The San Diego Chargers' QB has had the best numbers for QBR (QB Rating) for several weeks and is simply outplaying all other QBs this season in the NFL. Phillip Rivers current QBR is 87.1, two points higher than division rival Peyton Manning (2nd in QBR). For those who have watched Rivers throw throughout the years, despite his lack luster mechanics while throwing, Rivers can flat out play. Phillip has always boasted a dangerous arm on long balls and has a gunslinger's attitude which usually results in big gains through the air. The one aspect which usually hinders Rivers' effectiveness is himself. Rivers has what some would call Brett Favre syndrome, in that he will rifle a shot against multiple defenders or shutdown corners to make a big play happen, this often times creates a fair amount of interceptions accrued alongside touchdowns in a season for Rivers. Now that may sound harsh until you put the numbers on it, Rivers' career total TDs amount to 236 compared to 106 recorded interceptions, statistically that's a 1 of 2 disparity (thereabouts) which leads to problems for Chargers against higher caliber opponents and playoff aspirations.

Eric D. Williams has noted the heightened level of play from Rivers this season, and why that should worry AFC contenders. During Sunday's game, Rivers would throw for 22 of 34 completions accruing 313 yards with 3 TDs, sacked just once and boasted a very respectable 123.8 passer rating. This excellent performance resulting in victory would see another milestone in that it was also Rivers fifth straight game of a recorded 120+ passer rating, who just passed himself, Johnny Unitas and Kurt Warner for a new NFL record which was previously at just four consecutive games (of 120+ passer rating per game). As for interceptions, Rivers can also boast a 15 TDs to 2 interceptions ratio, much more in form with how well Rivers is playing this season. ESPN has projected only three more interceptions for Rivers this season which (if true) should help the Chargers scrap out more close-shave victories, as is their season's theme.

In the grind out victory in O.Co coliseum, the Chargers were happy to see two of their rookies have monster showings as well. Rookie RB Branden Oliver would put up 100+ yards on 26 carries. The strong game from Oliver would be his second straight game of over 100 yards rushing. Rookie Cornerback, Jason Verret, would come up with the game-sealing interception against a desperate David Carr and the Raiders, still starving for their first win of the season. Many Chargers have noticed a new and deadly Chargers team this season, capable on both sides of play. Eric Weddle, San Diego Chargers Free Safety, simple stated "Last year we would have lost this game." Various Chargers feel that this is a different season with a highly focused team, as Weddle additionally pointed out that despite an ugly win, the team will learn from the mistakes and also learned how resilient of a pro football team San Diego has become. Just ask San Diego Head Coach Mike McCoy, who isn't concerned about how pretty the execution is in realtime as he is with stringing together wins no matter how ugly they are, "The great thing is we found a way to win at the end...That's the only thing that matters in this business, is finding a way every Sunday -- or whatever day we're playing -- to win. It's not always going to be perfect." While the San Diego Chargers are indeed not perfect, the team has consistently outplayed their opponents and have positioned themselves nicely into the ensuing playoff picture for the 2014-2015 season.

References:

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/oct/12/chargers-raiders-move-on-acee/

http://espn.go.com/blog/san-diego-chargers/post/_/id/7550/weddle-takes-blame-for-fake-punt-call

http://espn.go.com/blog/san-diego-chargers/post/_/id/7570/chargers-seek-greatness-learn-how-to-win-ugly

http://espn.go.com/blog/san-diego-chargers/post/_/id/7587/morning-links-reaction-to-bolts-31-28

http://espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=400554302


Photography/ Image Courtesy:

Phillip Rivers: Kieth Allison

ESPN reporter Bill Williamson on the Oakland Raiders 0-4 heading into the bye week and say bye bye to Head Coach Dennis Allen who was just fired late Monday

ESPN Oakland Raiders reporter Bill Williamson broke the story that late monday night, Oakland Raiders Head Coach Dennis Allen has been fired after just 2 seasons. During his tenure, Dennis Allen lead his Raiders team to victory just eight times in a span of 36 games. After just two full seasons with the Oakland Raiders as Head Coach and an abysmal 0-4 record to begin the regular season, the Raiders organization has pulled the plug on Allen making the announcement on Monday. In those two season, the Raiders have unfortunately held the second to worst win percentage in the NFL. The only team with a lower win percentage than Oakland (.222 win percentage) is the Jacksonville Jaguars at .167 percentile.

Mark Davis, son of the famous former Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, whom now owns the Raider organization was reported as stating that he was weary from his beloved Raiders team continously losing in lopsided fashion and in big blowout games. A statement that would continue to reoccur as under Dennis Allen's tutelage the Raiders were blownout in 9 games of Allen's 36 and lost by more than twenty points. It appeared the loss on Sunday in Webley Stadium, UK against the Miami Dolphins was the tipping point leading to the firing of Allen, it was loss recorded at 38-14 making it another 20 point plus loss for Oakland. Former legendary owner Al Davis was no stranger to firing and replacing head coaches and as his son Mark Davis fires Allen that makes 7 head coaches fired since they traded Jon Gruden to Tampa Bay in 2001. The seven Raider head coaches axed makes it the longest streak of firing head coaches in the NFL. An ugly statistic added on to an even uglier slew of problems for Oakland.

When you don't win games in the NFL, you simply will not be coaching for long. Even Bill Williamson remarked that Allen's inability to keep the Raiders competitive and relevant was his downfall. This is a process that happens all too often in the NFL. Nevertheless, Mark Davis and the Raiders Organization had sound reasons for the firing. The two seasons before Dennis Allen was made head coach the Raiders were 8-8, not a great record but one that is often good enough to be in the playoff hunt/picture.  Questioning eyes are now on the Oakland Raiders General Manager Reggie McKenzie who personally picked Dennis Allen with confidence to lead the Raiders back to former glory of the Madden Era/ Al Davis era of smashmouth Raiders football. The 0-4 start this season paired with an NFL high of ten straight losses and an overall 8-28 record is reason enough for any NFL managers to send Allen the boot. The unfortunate truth is that Oakland heavily recycled and tried to improve their roster in the off-season last year and has found themselves in another dreadful season. As Oakland Raiders head into their bye week for the season (which they will definitelty need) they say 'bye bye' to Dennis Allen and look forward (so to speak) to another rebuilding year.

References:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11615699/dennis-allen-fired-head-coach-oakland-raiders

Photography/ Image Courtesy:

Dear Al: Ron Hall

Power Rankings Contend Oakland Raiders Are The Best Of The Worst This Season

A couple of lighter stories this week in the NFL made headlines for certain teams. A nice piece done by Jeff Legwold, Denver Broncos Reporter and member of Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors, entailed in a comedic tone of how Broncos Head Coach John Fox will be taking the bye week in stride and with no golfing. While during last year's bye week, Fox needed an aortic valve replaced when he fell ill while golfing in Charlotte, NC. An incident which left the Broncos without their mastermind for four weeks last season. Though, the best of the worst stories this week would have to be the Oakland Raiders and their silver lining through an already cloudy season. Just ask Bill Williamson, ESPN reporter for the Raiders.

After a hard fought loss to New England, power rankings via ESPN have Oakland as the best of the only three remaining win-less teams. Even better, in the hearts of hopeful Raiders fans, is that Oakland will be facing off against Miami Dolphins (1-2) whom are also off to a shaky start, going in the wrong direction after consecutive losses.

Raiders and Dolphins are set to do battle across the pond in London, UK at Wembley Stadium this Sunday. The match-up could make for a interesting and close scrap, as both teams are fighting to stay relevant in this season's playoff picture.

Photography/ Image Courtesy:

Raider Nation: Nathan Jongewaard

Dolphins Vs. Raiders: June Rivera

Wembley Stadium (Daytime): Daniel

Wembley Stadium (Nighttime): Vtravelled.com