By Kenneth Miller|Publisher
Q-MONEY–Second year Chargers receiver Quentin Johnston finally enjoyed his breakout game against the Cleveland Browns in Ohio on Sunday catching 4 passes for 118 yards and a 66 yard touchdown in the Bolts 27-10 blowout. (CHARGERS/PHOTO)
The Chargers (5-3) will return home from Cleveland and will prepare for three critical home games beginning with Tennessee Titans on Nov. 10, the now resurging Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 17 and culminating with a nationally televised contest with the Baltimore Ravens before Thanksgiving on Monday Nov. 25.
Three of the Bolts 5 wins have been on the road, including Sunday’s 27-10 shellacting of the hapless Cleveland Browns in Ohio.
“I’m just so proud of our team and the way they played today. A great team effort. There will be a lot of guys to talk about, a lot of guys who shined big time in this game. It was a wonderful feeling of winning. A wonderful victory,” Coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters following the game.
CAST THE DYE–Chargers line backer Troy Dye was terrific against the Browns in Ohio in Sunday, collecting 5 tackles and a forced fumble to be instrumental in the Bolts 3rd road win and improve to 5-3. (CHARGERS/PHOTO)
Against the Browns, the Bolts got a monster game from its superstar quarterback Justin Herbert who completed 18/27for 282 yards and an eye popping 125.8 passer rating during a game in which he admitted they were not on the same page.
Herbert was sacked a half dozen times, but this wasn’t really a game where he had to carry the team because the defense played lights out including 3 interceptions of Browns quarterback Jameis Winston who a week ago engineered an improbable victory over the dynamic Ravens.
“I’d have to take a look at it. I think it can all start with me getting the ball out. It’s understanding the protection and we knew that they had a great rush, so it’s on me to be able to get the ball out and understand where our hots are, where our problems are, so I’ll have to take a look at it and keep moving forward. But we have a lot of respect for them as pass rushers,” Herbert explained.
When he did have the look he discovered the speedy Quentin Johnston who balled out, catching 4 passes for a game high 118 yards and a touchdown.
Harbaugh reaped praise upon his receiver.
“It was a great game by Q. You could really see the speed. It’s fast. It’s a problem. It was just great. His development just keeps increasing. He’s really doing a great job with the back shoulder ball. Every level of his game. Coach Sanjay Lal has done an incredible job. I couldn’t be more proud of Q and so many of the guys you can bring up. Let’s bring up some more names. It was that kind of great effort. It wasn’t easy. They made a lot of great plays on their side as well. Six sacks in the first half? What a great player – 95 (Browns DE Myles Garrett), my gosh, he is so good. The guys just kept after it and kept at it. In the end, (Chargers RB) J.K. (Dobbins) was able to find a hole. (Chargers QB) Justin (Herbert) found holes. The receivers did a great job of finding holes at the intermediate level and the deep level. I’m just so proud. It takes that. It takes resilience. Just kind of relentless and the next play [mentality]. They make a play – 3, 2, 1, let it go and let’s get on to the next play. Defensively, just spectacular. (Chargers CB) Tarheeb (Still) – one and a half interceptions today with the way he tipped that one back to (Chargers S) Elijah Molden. And Elijah is just always in the right spot. Elijah Molden does a great job. We defended the deep spots really well. Elijah had a great rep and defended the deep ball. A great interception by (Chargers S) Alohi (Gilman) to get him going. He was really triggering today and a great catch on the interception. (Chargers LB) Troy Dye – gave him a game ball. It was a tremendous fourth down stop. Talk about never letting up. Just put (Chargers DL) Tear Tart, the blocked field goal and that tremendous push. Justin Herbert – I think since 1920 there’s only been a few quarterbacks that have had a perfect passer rating in the first half, and now he’s one of them. Right up there with Tom Brady and Joe Burrow, I think has done it a couple times as well. (Chargers WR) Josh (Palmer) as well. D.D. (Chargers WR Derius Davis), just great to get his explosion back in the game. I’m really proud of him. I’m proud of all our big guys. It’s a really good offensive line the Browns have and a really formidable defensive line. We’ve talked about before how much we ask of those big guys. They’re hitting every single play. It was good. We just kept at it and kept grinding.”
Herbert was equally impressed with Johnston who hauled in a 66 yard touchdown bomb.
“It was awesome to get him back. He’s been battling and he’s a tough guy. He always helps our offense when he’s out there. He just makes plays, finds a way to make something happen. He had a huge play there and was dependable all day,” added Herbert
MACK ATTACK–Khalil Mack on was the attack in the Chargers impressive road win against the Browns in Ohio, adding to his career sack total with another one on Sunday to improve to 106. The Chargers defense normalized Jameis Winston after he led the Browns to a home win against Baltimore a week ago.(CHARGERS/PHOTO)
Star corner Derwin James enjoyed another good game collecting 7 tackles, including 4 solos but still wasn’t satisfied.
“I’m mad we gave up that ten today. Honestly what’s been working is us communicating, knowing the situations we’re in. Knowing when it’s sudden change, knowing when it’s third and long and just knowing who is on the field.”
Tuli Tuipulotu was among the defensive players with stellar performances, with 5 solos and 2.5 sacks.
J.K. Dobbins added 85 yards rushing on just 14 carries as the Chargers under Harbaugh continue to take the essential strides to make the playoffs and win that elusive Super Bowl.
If the playoffs started today the Bolts would be the 6 seed in front of the buckling Broncos.
