Chargers Find Some Answers With Victory : Anderson Leads Ground Game and Vlasic Takes Charge as the Falcons Fall, 10-7
The Chargers’ 10-7 victory over Atlanta Sunday proved which of the following?
A) The Chargers are like most other teams in the National Football League: When their No. 1 running back gains more than 100 yards, their chances of winning increase dramatically.
B) The Charger defense, particularly against the run, is one of the best-kept secrets in the NFL.
C) A derby is something you wear on your head.
D) All of the above.
If you answered D, you are mostly correct. You’ve also probably spent too much time paying attention to a team that needed a blocked field goal, a partially blocked punt, an interception and a fumble recovery to end a 6-game losing streak against a team that couldn’t fill half its stadium despite its longest winning streak in 2 years.
The victory set the Chargers (3-8) back in the derby to finish with the league’s worst record and the right to select first--which probably means taking UCLA quarterback Troy Aikman--in next spring’s college draft.
But, Charger Coach Al Saunders said, “It was just nice to win.”
Saunders has at least temporarily found the answer to the Chargers’ quarterback problems. Second-year player Mark Vlasic, making his first professional start, completed 16 of 32 passes for 190 yards, including a 57-yarder to H-back Rod Bernstine late in the fourth period that set up Barry Redden’s winning touchdown, his first as a Charger.
“We didn’t do everything the way it was drawn up today,” Vlasic said. “But we won.”
The first time Vlasic dropped back to pass he failed to spot a blitz by cornerback Scott Case. The result was a nasty sack and an 8-yard loss. But Vlasic didn’t fumble. And he got up. Right away.
“The first thing he said to me when he got to the sidelines was, ‘I missed a slot blitz, but I won’t miss it again,’ ” Charger offensive coordinator Jerry Rhome said. Vlasic would suffer only 1 more sack.
“I could see the confidence in Mark’s eyes and hear it in his voice,” Redden said. “He just told us, ‘Gentlemen, it’s up to you to make the plays.’ ”
Bernstine’s 57-yard reception was probably the most important one. It happened when the Chargers caught Atlanta with a linebacker man-to-man on Bernstine, who caught the short throw over the middle and took off up the right sideline. It was the Chargers’ longest play from scrimmage this year.
Redden’s 5-yard off-tackle scoring burst to the weak side 3 plays later was the Chargers’ first rushing touchdown in 17 quarters. It gave them a 10-0 lead and immunity against Chris Miller’s 22-yard touchdown pass to Michael Haynes with 1:49 to play.
The officials originally called Haynes’ catch an incomplete pass. But replay official Mark Burns awarded the Falcons 6 points when he decided Haynes had both feet in bounds.
There would be no disputing the Charger ground game, which produced 185 yards, the team’s highest total of the year. Tailback Gary Anderson, missing in action since the fourth week of the season, accounted for 145 yards in 24 carries.
Anderson’s last 26 yards came in the final moments on a third and 12 from the 50. He broke a draw play against the grain and scotched Atlanta’s last chance at a final possession.
None of this should surprise anybody. The Falcon defense has given up more yards than any team in the NFC. “But it’s been a while,” said Anderson, whose 3 100-yard games this year have coincided with the Chargers’ 3 victories.
The Charger defense limited John Settle, the NFL’s fifth-leading rusher, to 25 yards in 14 carries. The Falcons, fourth in the league in rushing offense, managed only 57 yards. The Chargers haven’t allowed a rushing touchdown in their last 16 quarters.
The Chargers trail the Broncos, Seahawks and Raiders (all 6-5) by 3 games in the AFC West, a division that still has the worst record in the NFL. The only first-half score was a 23-yard field goal by Charger Vince Abbott. A 40-yard attempt by Falcon Rick Davis in the second quarter hit the left upright and bounced away. “A horrid feeling,” Davis said.
The blocked field goal occurred in the third period when Davis’ former Tampa Bay teammate, 6-7 Charger defensive end Tyrone Keys, broke through to bat the ball down.
“We’ve got a long way to go,” said Saunders, who Thursday got a weak vote of confidence from Charger owner Alex Spanos. Spanos said Saunders would coach the team for the rest of the year.
And it doesn’t get any easier. The Chargers’ next 3 games, in order, are against the Rams, the 49ers and the Bengals. Through 10 games the Ram defense was leading the league in sacks. Vlasic is, by his own admission, not the most mobile quarterback.
“Let me enjoy this one for a while,” pleaded Rhome. “Let me wait until Monday night before I start worrying about the Rams.”
Charger Notes
Charger free safety Vencie Glenn suffered a neck injury in the first half and did not return. Glenn watched the second half in street clothes on the sideline. . . . Charger kicker Vince Abbott suffered an ankle sprain and was unavailable for long field goal attempts late in the game. . . . The Chargers’ time of possession edge of 34:24 to 25:36 was their biggest of the year. . . . Atlanta quarterback Chris Miller, 3 years younger than Mark Vlasic, completed 18 of 38 passes for 201 yards. . . . Cornerback Elvis Patterson got a piece of Rick Donnelly’s first-period punt. . . . Jamie Holland led Charger receivers with 5 catches for 74 yards. “He’s a starter now,” offensive coordinator Jerry Rhome said. . . . Charger linebacker Gary Plummer, with 7 tackles, led the Chargers for the third consecutive week.