12-06-2015, 07:25 AM
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Short week. Cross-country flight. Early start. Bye week looming. The San Diego Chargers had plenty of reasons to come out flat in Jacksonville. They avoided all of them. It surely helped that they faced what is shaping up as one of the worst teams in NFL history. Philip Rivers threw for 285 yards and a touchdown, Ryan Mathews ran for 110 yards and a score, and the surging Chargers beat the inept Jaguars 24-6 Sunday. "It all starts with the quarterback, and hes one of the best in the business," Chargers coach Mike McCoy said. "Were very fortunate." The Chargers (4-3) played nothing like a tired team or one looking ahead. Then again, the Jaguars have made everyone look good. Jacksonville (0-7) has lost every game this season by double digits, becoming the first team since the 1984 Houston Oilers to garner that dubious distinction. The Oilers lost their first 10 games that year by at least 10 points. "We didnt have any enthusiasm," Jaguars receiver Cecil Shorts III said. "Its a bad day. Nobodys going to feel sorry for us. We cant feel sorry for us." Jaguars coach Gus Bradley shouldered the blame for not having his team ready, a feeling he got in pregame warm-ups and in the locker room. Jacksonville was praised for covering a 27-point spread at Denver last week and spent part of this past week preparing for a week-long stay in London. Unlike the Chargers, the Jaguars failed to handle all the distractions. "We talk about getting better and we completely missed an opportunity," Bradley said. "Thats what not getting better looks like. Penalties, missed tackles, missed assignments, spirit, effort. We talk about playing with toughness, playing with effort, playing with enthusiasm and playing smart. Thats our style. I dont think we did any one of those four today." Everyone whos watched Jacksonville play this season knows its a talent-based issue. The Chargers dominated every aspect of the game. Rivers completed his first 14 passes, picking apart Jacksonvilles defence with short throws and clock-eating drives. He finished 22 of 26. Mathews topped the century mark for the second consecutive week. About the only thing that went wrong for San Diego was a failed chance to score just before halftime. Rivers tried to run for the end zone with 7 seconds left on third down, but he was stopped short. That gave Jacksonville some momentum and a sliver of hope heading into the locker room. It was short-lived. The Chargers scored on their first two drives of the second half. Rivers, whose TD pass was a 27-yarder to Eddie Royal, made huge plays on both. "Philip is the wheels on our tank," tight end Antonio Gates said. "As long as he can continue to play the way he plays and the line continues to protect him like that, were going to be just fine." Even more impressive: San Diego overcame the loss of two offensive linemen. Left tackle King Dunlap left in the first quarter with a concussion. Mike Remmers replaced him, but went down four plays later with an injury. The Chargers flopped right tackle D.J. Fluker to the left side, moved right guard Jeromey Clary to right tackle and inserted Rich Ohrnberger in at right guard. And they didnt miss a beat. Mathews 3-yard run with 14:08 remaining sent many of the Jacksonville faithful scrambling for the exits early -- again. The Jaguars have been outscored 89-11 in three home games. "We can say we keep doing good things, but if we dont get a win or get more points on the board, its really not doing good things," Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne said. "Were really disappointed right now as an offence. ... Its tough to swallow." Jacksonville was its own worst enemy. Defensive tackle SenDerrick Marks was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct following a 1-yard run on a second-and-34 play, giving San Diego an automatic first down. The Jaguars also self-destructed with several sacks in the red zone. Henne completed 23 of 36 passes for 318 yards, with an interception. He was sacked six times. Maurice Jones-Drew ran nine times for 37 yards and declined to talk afterward. Shorts had eight receptions for 80 yards, but also dropped two slant passes in the end zone. Justin Blackmon caught six passes for 58 yards. The Jaguars had Jones-Drew, Shorts, Blackmon and tight Marcedes Lewis -- the teams top four playmakers -- in the lineup together for the first time this season. It hardly changed the outcome. San Diego, meanwhile, has consecutive wins for the first time this season. "Were starting to build somewhat of an identity, a little bit of an attitude," Rivers said. Notes: Rivers, whose wife hasnt gone into labour with their seventh child, became the second quarterback in franchise history to throw for 30,000 yards. ... Jaguars C Brad Meester made his 200th career start. ... 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LOUIS -- Rookie Tavon Austin has missed another day of practice, lessening the odds hell be ready for the St.Theres no place like home. Its been over a decade since Manchester City made the move from Maine Road to the City of Manchester Stadium. Much has changed over the years. A new home. New ownership, purchasing the best players money can buy. And heightened expectations. Results have generally followed, particularly at home. The new Etihad may lack the character of the old Wembley of the North, but the confines in east Manchester suit City just fine. The team has made their home an absolute fortress. An exclamation mark was put on their top home form in a 6-0 demolition of Tottenham Sunday. Youll struggle to find a more complete performance than that of Manuel Pellegrinis men against a worthy Premier League foe. Four more goals were put past Viktoria Plzen in Wednesdays Champions League action. Progression from the Group Stage had already been achieved. And while not at their best, its a trademark of top teams to win at home despite inferior form. Mission accomplished. Without two of their top players (Kompany/Silva), City has shown no dip in home form. Results on their travels are a different story. Losses at Cardiff City, Aston Villa, and Sunderland raise questions. But its the convincing, completely one-sided home wins, especially against Spurs and Manchester United that stand out most, giving reason to believe a team sitting eighth in the Premier League table just a week ago should be considered favourites to win the league. Manchester City has 73 points in their last 29 Premier League home matches (W23, 4D, 2L), including a perfect record this season (6-0-0. 26 goals for, 2 against), the best stretch of home form among all league competition. The only true home embarrassment came at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League. But its the Premier League form that bodes well. Before Sunday, Spurs had conceded just one goal away from White Hart Lane but City moved through the team with ease. Citys prowess at home has been good, but this years edition looks to have taken the advantage to another level. The preferred attacking, more liberal style of Pellegrini plays to the teams strengths – athletic, two-way players in the middle of the park surrounded by fluid, creative players able to rotate and find space in advanced positions. The approach differs to that of his predecessor, Roberto Mancini. The Italian tactician was more conservative and calculated. When the away form under Mancini dipped (City had the fifth best away record a season ago), it was clear a change had to be made. Pellegrini still must solve the riddle as to how best structure his side for away competition. The team simply doesnt have reliable players in the back four that will lead to superior away form. So taking care of business at home is paramount. Home records are the most important indicator as to who will finish as champion. The team with the best home record has won the league every season dating back to 2001-02. Arsenal was champion that season with a 12-4-3 home record. Second-place Liverpool were better (12W-5D-2L) and seventh place West Ham had an identical home record. It is unlikely City will address their issues along the backline in the January transfer window. Instead, it is more likely Pellegrini will look for a goalkeeper, either to challenge or replace the unreliable Joe Hart. Asmir Begovic of Stoke City has been the top goalkeeper in the Premier League and an approach for the player would be worthwhile. Begovic has more than two years left to run on his contract but is a particularly valuable asset for a team like City as hes still able to play in the Champions League. Stoke seemingly has their goalkeeper of the future in Jack Butland. The 20-year was sent out on loan to Barnsley until the end of the year, and is six years younger than Begovic. Butland has the talent. Whether Mark Hughes feels comfortable enough with Butland will boil down to how far above the relegation zone Stoke sits come January, combined with the price willing to be paid for his current goalkeeper. In the meantime, theres much to like about the City attack. Sergio Aguero has been my Player of the YYear, thus far.dddddddddddd. As a recess striker, Aguero is given free rein to play off the high striker and get involved numerous ways. The Argentine has 16 goals in all competitions thus far, 10 in the Premier League to go along with four assists. Ten of his 16 goals have also come at the Etihad. His finishing in front of goal remains lethal, exhibiting the ability to score in a number of ways. When the attack is played through Aguero dropping deeper, then allowing him to find space on the return ball inside the 18, his knack for finding space has made the player virtually unmarkable. Staying healthy was an issue last campaign and his role was ever changing. This season, he is the undoubted key player in the City attack. Agueros goal that won City the league at the Etihad in May 2012 will be remembered as one for the ages. If he can sustain his current form, especially at home, City and Aguero could be in for a season for the ages. Other Musings - If Aguero has been the leagues top player, Manchester Uniteds Wayne Rooney has to be a close second. Absolutely everything positive at United goes through number 10. Nine of Uniteds last 11 goals have gone directly through Rooney (2G, 7A). The quality in service has been outstanding, combined with a work rate second to none. Sir Alex Ferguson claimed Rooneys dip in form, and subsequent benching a season ago, stemmed from a lack of fitness. New manager David Moyes credits Rooneys success to rediscovering his hunger. "Thats a big part of what he is... a lot of people said that might have been missing from his game last season – well its certainly not missing now," said Moyes. "He has got the hunger and the desire back and hes committed for everything. Id rather have a Wayne Rooney that way than any other way." Complacency happens. Perhaps the time away to reflect, watching from the stands, has revitalized Rooney. Credit the player, the new manager, and also give credit to the old one, sending a wake-up call to a player in need of one. - Good for the Football Association to repeal Wes Browns three-match suspension after being sent off in a 2-0 Sunderland loss at Stoke. Brown was sent off based upon Sunderlands unruly reputation more than anything else. The Black Cats defender won the ball cleanly, although his foot did end up high after the sliding challenge. Sunderland has four red cards on the season, the most in the Premier League. Two ugly challenges against Hull City leading to sending offs havent won Sunderland any favours. And the continued dirty play of Lee Cattermole doesnt help matters. Manager Gus Poyet needs best to try to change this negative repute. It cost him a potential result at the Britannia. Sunderland isnt good enough to survive with a thug reputation tied to them. - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho claims his Chelsea side were tired after a 1-0 Champions League loss to FC Basel. If the teams tired, why isnt Juan Mata playing? Is he not good enough? And how about a look at David Luiz? Two English centre backs continue to regularly start over a player set to start for Brazil at the World Cup. Mourinhos squad selection is often times puzzling. He has a squad full of top talent. Use it. - Arsenal defeated Southampton 2-0 at the Emirates last weekend. The score-line flatters the victor. An Artur Boruc all-time gaffe put the visitors behind early. The true TSN Turning Point: Adam Lallana substituted off in the 54th minute. After dictating the pace of the game, it all came unraveled after Lallana was taken off for Dani Osvaldo. Can Southampton play with two strikers? The two deep-lying midfielders (Wanyama/Schneiderlin) leave too much space between the central midfielders and the attack duo. Both Osvaldo and Lambert typically play high roles. The team moves with so much more fluidity with Lallana and Jay Rodriguez getting into advanced positions in support. Perhaps this is a case where the Osvaldo/Lambert potential partnership should be put on hold for the best of the team. The Saints are in tough again this weekend at Chelsea. 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