The Marathon Continues.

[Soapy]

Behind the Numbers: Breakdown of Chargers Week Sixteen Win at Jacksonville Jaguars

Offensive Line Grades
LT Melvin McKinley: 63 snaps, 33 dropbacks, 30 rushes, 80.0 PFF grade.
LG Chauncey Truman: 63 snaps, 33 dropbacks, 30 rushes, penalty, 78.6 PFF grade.
C Austin Griggs: 63 snaps, 33 dropbacks, 30 rushes, 2 sacks allowed, 59.1 PFF grade.
RG Stephen Zeigler: 63 snaps, 33 dropbacks, 30 rushes, 80.0 PFF grade.
RT Jerron Bowman: 63 snaps, 33 dropbacks, 30 rushes, sack allowed, QB hurry allowed, 65.2 PFF grade.
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Grade Scale :: 80+ ELITE | 79-70 ABOVE AVERAGE | 69-60 AVERAGE | 59> BELOW AVERAGE

Defensive Grades
DE Christian Childs: 63 snaps, 4 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, run stuff, 75.5 PFF grade.
NT Cedric Darius: 23 snaps, 58.0 PFF grade.
DE Vincent Zellner: 62 snaps, 5 tackles, 4.5 sacks, QB hurry, 92.3 PFF grade.
EDGE Joey Bosa: 56 snaps, tackle, tackle for loss, 65.0 PFF grade.
EDGE Rashard Keaton: 61 snaps, 2 tackles, 2 sacks, 64.6 PFF grade.
EDGE Willis Rayford: 13 snaps, 2 tackles, sack, run stuff, 86.0 PFF grade.
LB Layne Scott: 59 snaps, 7 tackles, tackle for loss, 1.5 sacks, pass breakup, catch allowed, 71.8 PFF grade.
LB DeAndre Bridge: DNP.
CB Jalen Ramsey: 66 snaps, 4 tackles, pass breakup, 3 catches allowed, 72.3 PFF grade.
CB Malik Truman: 70 snaps, 6 tackles, 3 catches allowed, 77.8 PFF grade.
CB Donovan Bigby: DNP.
S Samuel Fleming: 64 snaps, 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, pass breakup, 2 catches allowed, 73.4 PFF grade.
S Derwin James Jr: 63 snaps, 4 tackles, 2 pass breakups, 3 catches allowed, 66.3 PFF grade.
S Sean Butler: 66 snaps, 7 tackles, tackle for loss, pass breakup, run stuff, penalty, 6 catches allowed, TD catch allowed, 41.4 PFF grade.
S Nick Steward: 53 snaps, 2 tackles, 2 catches allowed, 67.3 PFF grade.
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Grade Scale :: 80+ ELITE | 79-70 ABOVE AVERAGE | 69-60 AVERAGE | 59> BELOW AVERAGE

Class of 2028 Report Card
EDGE Willis Rayford: 13 snaps, 2 tackles, sack, run stuff, 86.0 PFF grade.
S Nick Steward: 53 snaps, 2 tackles, 2 catches allowed, 67.3 PFF grade.
TE Don Willson: 42 snaps, 2 receptions, 21 yards, touchdown.
FB Teryan Vanover: 14 snaps, no stats.

Injury Report
LB Deandre Bridge: Probable (elbow)
CB Donovan Bigby: Out (hip)
HB Jamarcus Cherry: Out (abdomen)
WR D.K. Metcalf: Out (chest)

[Soapy]

Week 16 NFL Results
MIN 24 - TEN 3 :: NYG 23 - CIN 20 :: MIA 29 - BUF 20 :: NE 31 - IND 3
TOR 34 - BAL 28 :: DEN 31 - NO 17 :: DET 28 - CHI 14 :: KC 31 - CAR 28
LAR 26 - SF 7 :: ARI 24 - NYJ 17 :: LAC 36 - JAX 24 :: ATL 21 - TB 13
CLE 20 - LV 20 :: HOU 24 - PIT 17 :: SEA 27 - GB 23 :: PHI 24 - DAL 21
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NFL Playoff Standings
AFC
1. Los Angeles, 14-1 z
2. Miami, 11-2-2 y
3. Jacksonville, 11-4 y
4. Baltimore, 9-6 y
5. Kansas City, 9-6
6. New England, 8-6-1
-- Houston, 8-7
NFC
1. Arizona, 11-3-1 y
2. New York, 11-4 x
3. Carolina, 10-4-1 y
4. Minnesota, 6-8
5. Dallas, 10-5
6. Los Angeles, 10-5
-- San Francisco, 9-6
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Players of the Week
QB Tua Tagovailoa (JAX): 24 of 34, 287 yards, touchdown, 8 carries, 67 yards, 2 touchdowns.
QB Trevor Lawrence (TOR): 28 of 33, 341 yards, 5 touchdowns.
DE Vincent Zellner (LAC): 5 tackles, 4.5 sacks.
LB Tramon Cox (CAR): 12 tackles, sack.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notable Injuries
HB Mack Lincoln (CHI): Season (back)
T Jonah Williams (CIN): Season (knee)
OLB Rashan Gary (CIN): Season (back)
S Alonzo Barlow (BUF): Season (tricep)
HB Nick Chubb (CLE): Season (foot)
TE Irv Smith Jr (KC): Season (ankle)
C Mason Logan (DAL): Season (knee)
HB Jonathan Taylor (PHI): Season (knee)
DE Terrelle McKinley (SF): Season (chest)
DE Jerome Pitts (SF): Season (leg)
HB Angel McBride (TOR): Season (ankle)
DE Alani Babineaux (DET): Season (chest)
T Nelson Redmon (LV): Season (foot)
T Ryan Ramczyk (NO): Season (shoulder)
LB Devin Bush (PIT): Season (collarbone)
DE Derrick Pope (TEN): Season (bicep)

[Soapy]

Chargers WR Metcalf Sidelined For Season
The Los Angeles Chargers announced on their social media page that wide receiver D.K. Metcalf has been placed on injured reserve, effectively ending his season.

Metcalf tore his pectoral muscle on Sunday, putting an end to his career year. Metcalf has 1632 yards on the season, a league best, on 84 receptions and 12 touchdowns. His 19.9 yards per reception are a league best among receivers and only Tyreek Hill has more yards after the catch.

Replacing Metcalf in the starting lineup will likely be former sixth round pick Jaron Medlock. Medlock has 24 receptions this season along with 346 yards although the team could opt to use more two receiver sets with A.J. Brown and Odell Beckham and utilize their plethora of tight ends instead. Don Willson, Hunter Henry, Teryan Vanover, Stephen Burke and Eric Harper have the most snaps on the team at the skill positions outside of Metcalf, Brown and Beckham.

The injury does bring into the question the decision to trade Deion Daniel to New England who hasn't playing much there either, resulting in the conditional draft pick being just a third rounder as opposed to a second.

The Chargers elevated practice squad receiver Shaq Hodges to the active roster. The team also released center Ricky Hale in favor of New Orleans Saints practice squad WR Joey Ramsay.

[djp73]

Oof size large

[Soapy]

Oof size large

we gonna be aight.

next man up.

[Soapy]

Week 17 Preview: Carolina Panthers
Record: 10-4, NFC South -- Clinched Division

Team Leaders
Passing: Keenan Church (74% completion, 3098 yards, 29 TD, 7 INT, 117.9 rating)
Rushing: Christian McCaffrey (1728 yards, 6.2 ypc, 20 TD)
Receiving: D.J. Moore (56 receptions, 710 yards, 6 TD)
Defense: Tramon Cox (90 tackles, 7 TFL, 5.0 sacks)

Team Rankings
Total Offense: 3rd
Total Defense: 9th
Points Per Game: 2nd
Turnover Differential: T-23rd

Injuries
DT Parrish Fulton

Chargers head coach Brian Flores has been coy about whether or not he'll play his starters given that Los Angeles clinched top seed last week. The prime time Sunday night matchup between two of the best teams in the league could be relegated to Russell Wilson and fellow backups trying to play Grinch and keep Carolina from getting a first round bye.

The two teams first linked up this spring when all-pro guard Stephen Ziegler was traded from Carolina to the Chargers in exchange for a first round pick and linebacker Shaq Quarterman. Zielger is currently leading all AFC offensive linemen in Pro Bowl votes while Quarterman is third on the team with 84 tackles, being one of the leaders for the league's eight best scoring defense.

If the starters for the Chargers do play, there are some milestones on the line. Will Castonzo needs two more touchdowns to become the fourth quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least 50 touchdowns. Defensive end Vincent Zellner can also make history with two more sacks, which will break Chase Young's record of 24 sacks in a season. Given the injury to D.K. Metcalf last week, it is entirely possible that none of the starters even dress for Sunday's game.

Carolina Panthers Projected Starters
QB Keenan Church | 6'1", 220lbs | 86 ovr, 89 spd, 95 thp, 95 sac, 91 mac, 79 dac
HB Christian McCaffrey | 5'11", 202lbs | 96 ovr, 88 spd, 92 acc, 95 car, 91 elu
WR D.J. Moore | 5'11", 215lbs | 89 ovr, 91 spd, 93 acc, 96 cth
WR Jaylen Waddle | 5'10", 188lbs | 80 ovr, 96 spd, 95 acc, 81 cth
TE Noah Fant | 6'4", 249lbs | 79 ovr, 86 spd, 89 acc, 86 cth
LT Greg Little | 6'5", 310lbs | 78 ovr, 89 str, 76 pbk, 78 rbk
LG Lennox Drew | 6'4", 302lbs | 75 ovr, 85 str, 79 pbk, 67 rbk
C Christian McGowan | 6'3", 311lbs | 83 ovr, 86 str, 81 pbk, 82 rbk
RG John Simpson | 6'4", 330lbs | 73 ovr, 78 str, 73 pbk, 59 rbk
RT Josh Jones | 6'7", 310lbs | 79 ovr, 84 str, 82 pbk, 75 rbk
---------------------
EDGE Danielle Hunter | 6'5", 252lbs | 83 ovr, 86 spd, 78 str, 85 pmv, 87 fmv
EDGE Brian Burns | 6'5", 249lbs | 78 ovr, 88 spd, 77 str, 93 fmv
DT Brendan Peck | 6'3", 288lbs | 69 ovr, 78 spd, 81 str, 73 bsh
DT Eddie Tapp | 6'5", 304lbs | 64 ovr, 66 spd, 79 str, 55 bsh
LB Tramon Cox | 5'11", 239lbs | 74 ovr, 82 spd, 80 acc, 91 tkl
LB Shaq Quarterman | 6'1", 240lbs | 71 ovr, 81 spd, 84 acc, 81 tkl
CB Bryce Hall | 6'1", 200lbs | 79 ovr, 89 spd, 89 acc, 74 mcv, 79 zcv
CB Jabari Isaac | 6'2", 184lbs | 73 ovr, 90 spd, 90 acc, 80 mcv, 70 zcv
CB Donte Jackson | 5'10", 180lbs | 71 ovr, 90 spd, 90 acc, 68 mcv, 62 zcv
S DeSean Hakim | 5'11", 205lbs | 71 ovr, 91 spd, 84 acc, 81 zcv, 67 tkl
S John Johnson III | 6'0", 209lbs | 81 ovr, 83 spd, 86 acc, 83 zcv, 74 tkl

[Soapy]

-----------------------------------------------
LAC (15-1) | 14 | 0 | 7 | 0 || 21
CAR (10-5-1) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 || 7
-----------------------------------------------

Castonzo Throws 50th Touchdown in Win Over Panthers
Will Castonzo and the rest of the key starters for the Los Angeles Chargers showed up, claimed a few milestones and then watched from the bench as their teammates held on to a 21-7 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday night.

Castonzo only played a half, needing just the first quarter to become the fourth player in NFL history to throw for 50 touchdowns in a season. Russell Wilson replaced Castonzo in the second half, completing 6 of 14 passes for 133 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Chargers defensive end Vincent Zellner played sporadically throughout the game, forcing a fumble and sharing a sack with DeAndre Bridge, putting his season total at 23 to finish tied for second most in a season.

Los Angeles emptied its bench with seven different players rushing the ball. They still managed to suffer an injury with Felix Whittaker leaving the game with a chest injury.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
[LAC] J. Stanford 1 Yd pass from W. Castonzo (8:13)
[LAC] S. Burke 13 Yd pass from W. Castonzo (1:20)

Quarter 2
[CAR] D. Moore 34 Yd pass from K. Church (13:30)

Quarter 3
[LAC] J. Medlock 46 Yd pass from R. Wilson (7:28)

Quarter 4
----------------------------------------------------------------
Los Angeles Chargers
Will Castonzo: 7 of 18, 72 yards, 2 touchdowns, interception.
Russell Wilson: 6 of 14, 133 yards, touchdown, interception.
Juwan Stanford: 10 carries, 65 yards.
Tyron Floyd: 6 carries, 37 yards.
Felix Whittaker: 5 carries, 43 yards.
Stephen Burke: 5 receptions, 92 yards, touchdown.
Jaron Medlock: 4 receptions, 93 yards, touchdown.
Layne Scott: 13 tackles, interception.
Derwin James: 7 tackles, tackle for loss, interception.
Cedric Darius: 3 tackles, 2 sacks.

Carolina Panthers
Keenan Church: 27 of 39, 264 yards, touchdown, 2 interceptions, 12 carries, 66 yards.
Christian McCaffrey: 13 carries, 35 yards.
Jaron Bradshaw: 6 receptions, 69 yards.
Noah Fant: 6 receptions, 40 yards.
D.J. Moore: 4 receptions, 84 yards, touchdown.
Shaq Quarterman: 11 tackles.
DeSean Hakim: 9 tackles, tackle for loss, interception.
Tramon Cox: 6 tackles, interception.

[Soapy]

Behind the Numbers: Breakdown of Chargers Week Seventeen Win at Carolina Panthers

Offensive Line Grades
LT Melvin McKinley: 69 snaps, 33 dropbacks, 36 rushes, 80.0 PFF grade.
LG Chauncey Truman: 69 snaps, 33 dropbacks, 36 rushes, run stuff allowed, 71.7 PFF grade.
C Austin Griggs: 69 snaps, 33 dropbacks, 36 rushes, run stuff allowed, 71.7 PFF grade.
RG Stephen Zeigler: 69 snaps, 33 dropbacks, 36 rushes, 3 penalties, 67.0 PFF grade.
RT Jerron Bowman: 69 snaps, 33 dropbacks, 36 rushes, sack allowed, penalty, 63.5 PFF grade.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Grade Scale :: 80+ ELITE | 79-70 ABOVE AVERAGE | 69-60 AVERAGE | 59> BELOW AVERAGE

Defensive Grades
DE Christian Childs: DNP.
NT Cedric Darius: 63 snaps, 3 tackles, 2 sacks, run stuff, 69.1 PFF grade.
DE Vincent Zellner: 22 snaps, 5 tackles, 0.5 sack, QB hurry, run stuff, forced fumble, 94.1 PFF grade.
EDGE Joey Bosa: 19 snaps, 3 tackles, tackle for loss, 88.6 PFF grade.
EDGE Rashard Keaton: 65 snaps, tackle, penalty, 47.7 PFF grade.
EDGE Willis Rayford: 50 snaps, 2 tackles, tackle for loss, sack, run stuff, 63.4 PFF grade.
LB Layne Scott: 51 snaps, 13 tackles, tackle for loss, interception, run stuff, 7 catches allowed, 72.7 PFF grade.
LB DeAndre Bridge: 31 snaps, 4 tackles, 0.5 sack, pass breakup, QB hurry, 2 run stuffs, penalty, catch allowed, 68.5 PFF grade.
CB Jalen Ramsey: 65 snaps, 4 tackles, tackle for loss, 4 pass breakups, run stuff, 3 catches allowed, 78.6 PFF grade.
CB Malik Truman: 66 snaps, 3 tackle, tackle for loss, run stuff, catch allowed, 83.9 PFF grade.
CB Donovan Bigby: DNP.
S Samuel Fleming: 16 snaps, tackle, 77.8 PFF grade.
S Derwin James Jr: 49 snaps, 7 tackles, tackle for loss, interception, pass breakup, 3 run stuffs, 3 catches allowed, 75.3 PFF grade.
S Sean Butler: 70 snaps, 6 tackles, run stuff, 3 catches allowed, TD catch allowed, 58.0 PFF grade.
S Nick Steward: 58 snaps, 6 tackles, catch allowed, 72.8 PFF grade.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Grade Scale :: 80+ ELITE | 79-70 ABOVE AVERAGE | 69-60 AVERAGE | 59> BELOW AVERAGE

Class of 2028 Report Card
EDGE Willis Rayford: 50 snaps, 2 tackles, tackle for loss, sack, run stuff, 63.4 PFF grade.
S Nick Steward: 58 snaps, 6 tackles, catch allowed, 72.8 PFF grade.
TE Don Willson: 26 snaps, 2 receptions, 21 yards, touchdown.
FB Teryan Vanover: 36 snaps, 3 receptions, 6 yards, 7 carries, 25 yards.

Injury Report
CB Donovan Bigby: Doubtful (hip)
HB Jamarcus Cherry: Out (abdomen)
WR D.K. Metcalf: Out (chest)
HB Felix Whittaker: Out (abdomen)

[Soapy]

Week 17 NFL Results
CLE 35 - BAL 21 :: GB 28 - CHI 13 :: NYJ 24 - SF 21 :: NE 33 - MIA 27
KC 17 - DEN 0 :: PIT 45 - PHI 20 :: HOU 35 - IND 14 :: NO 37 - TB 31
LV 38 - ATL 24 :: TEN 20 - JAX 3 :: LAR 17 - ARI 10 :: TOR 32 - NYG 27
DET 36 - MIN 21 :: BUF 21 - SEA 17 :: DAL 42 - CIN 10 :: LAC 21 - CAR 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Players of the Week
QB Deshaun Watson (HOU): 17 of 21, 277 yards, 4 touchdowns.
QB Trevor Lawrence (TOR): 24 of 35, 337 yards, 3 touchdowns.
S Anthony Holloway (TEN): 8 tackles, 2 interceptions.
LB Frank Barr (DET): 6 tackles, 4 sacks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
NFL Standings
AFC North
1. Baltimore, 9-7 [4]
2. Cleveland, 8-8
3. Pittsburgh, 7-9
4. Cincinnati, 6-10
AFC South
1. Jacksonville, 11-5 [3]
2. Houston, 9-7
3. Indianapolis, 7-9
4. Tennessee, 4-12
AFC East
1. Miami, 11-3-2 [2]
2. New England, 9-6-1 [6]
3. New York Jets, 7-8-1
4. Buffalo, 3-11-2
AFC West
1. Los Angeles Chargers, 15-1 [1]
2. Kansas City, 10-6 [5]
3. Denver, 7-9
4. Las Vegas, 7-9
NFC North
1. Detroit, 8-8 [4]
2. Minnesota, 7-9
3. Green Bay, 6-10
4. Chicago, 2-14
NFC South
1. Carolina, 10-5-1 [3]
2. Atlanta, 6-10
3. New Orleans, 6-10
4. Tampa, 5-11
NFC East
1. New York Giants, 11-5 [2]
2. Dallas, 11-5 [5]
3. Toronto, 9-7
4. Philadelphia, 6-10
NFC West
1. Arizona, 11-4-1 [1]
2. Los Angeles Rams, 11-5 [6]
3. San Francisco, 9-7
4. Seattle, 4-12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wild Card Schedule
New England Patriots (9-6-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (11-5)
Los Angeles Rams (11-5) at Carolina Panthers (10-5-1)
Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) at Baltimore Ravens (9-7)
Dallas Cowboys (11-5) at Detroit Lions (8-8)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
League Leader
Passing
1. Will Castonzo (LAC): 4862 yards, 50 TD
2. Brian Petersen (PIT): 4334 yards, 32 TD
3. Dylan McCaffrey (MIA): 4306 yards, 32 TD
4. Jacob Eason (TB): 4244 yards, 29 TD
5. Josh Allen (BUF): 4234 yards, 24 TD
Rushing
1. Christian McCaffrey (CAR): 1763 yards, 20 TD
2. Saquon Barkley (NYG): 1378 yards, 11 TD
3. Ezekiel Elliott (ATL): 1345 yards, 5 TD
4. Devin Singletary (MIA): 1300 yards, 11 TD
5. JaTarvious Whitlow (SF): 1210 yards, 11 TD
Receiving
1. D.K. Metcalf (LAC): 1632 yards, 12 TD
2. Ceedee Lamb (NYJ): 1149 yards, 6 TD
3. Randall St. Felix (NO): 1116 yards, 4 TD
4. Kenny Golladay (DET): 1080 yards 6 TD
5. Tyreek Hill (IND): 1052 yards, 10 TD
Tackles
1. Devin White (TB): 133 tackles
2. Daymond Stokes (NO): 131 tackles
3. Willie Gaiye Jr (NE): 122 tackles
4. Tuf Borland (DET): 119 tackles
5. Myles Jack (JAX): 119 tackles
Sacks
1. Vincent Zellner (LAC): 23.0 sacks
2. Willis Rayford (LAC): 17.0 sacks
3. Myles Garrett (CLE): 14.0 sacks
4. Deron Polley (MIA): 14.0 sacks
5. Josh Allen (JAX): 12.0 sacks
Interceptions
1. Jeff Okudah (NYG): 8 interceptions
2. Tyreke Johnson (SEA): 6 interceptions
3. Trayvon Mullen (NE): 5 interceptions
4. Denzel Ward (CLE): 5 interceptions
5. Jalen Ramsey (LAC): 5 interceptions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Playoff Injuries
WR D.K. Metcalf (LAC): Season (chest)
TE Irv Smith Jr (KC): 4 weeks (ankle)
C Mason Logan (DAL): 2 weeks (knee)
CB Taylor Cummins (MIA): Season (wrist)
C Creed Humphrey (MIA): 3 weeks (knee)
DE Alani Babineaux (DET): Season (chest)
CB Kai Harvey (LAR): Season (foot)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notable Transactions
Chicago Bears head coach Jason Garrett retired
Buffalo Bills fire head coach Sean McDermott
Cleveland Browns fire head coach Tony Lough
Indianapolis Colts fire head coach Frank Reich
Atlanta Falcons fire head coach Jay Gruden
Seattle Seahawks fire head coach Andrew Duhon
Tennessee Titans fire head coach Carlos Calhoun
Minnesota Vikings fire head coach Michael Lattimer

[Soapy]

Chargers' CB Bigby Return 'Questionable' As Hip Injury Lingers
The Los Angeles Chargers finished the season with a league best record of 15-1, earning them a bye week. If the Chargers had to play this week, they'd be without the services of cornerback Donovan Bigby who dislocated his hip earlier in the season. They're hoping that the extra week will buy them some time to get the former all-pro back in the mix.

For the third time in four seasons, Bigby has missed five games and could miss a sixth if his hip isn't fully healed. Bigby resumed non-contact drills last week but suffered a setback according to reports, putting the playoff game in jeopardy.

On the season, he has a borderline above average Pro Football Focus grade of 69.2. If he cannot go, second-year defensive back Sean Butler will continue to replace him. Butler had had an up and down sophomore campaign, with his PFF grade dipping from 68.2 last season as a rookie to 61.6. The injury to Bigby has forced him to play nearly two hundred more snaps.

Los Angeles will play the lowest seeded remaining team which could either be New England (6th), a rematch against Kansas City (5th) or Baltimore (4th). If Bigby cannot go, it would be in the best interest of the Chargers and their fans that Baltimore beats Kansas City so they can avoid playing the Chiefs who has had success throwing the ball against Los Angeles.