chargers 21 giants 20

Wow. That was a very nice win for the Bolts.  Also, a nice realization that Norv is not the only dolt of a coach out there. Coughlin's 4th down decsions were downright puzzling. Have some balls! Plus he tried to throw a challenge flag on an out-of-bounds call, a challenge, that if it were allowed and he would have won, would have resulted in an incomplete pass. That five yard loss would not have been worth burning a challenge on. Jeez, Norv outcoached someone! A coach with a Super Bowl ring, no less.

The good:

• The offense came up clutch when it had to, and won the game.  On that last drive, the drops stopped, the bad passes stopped, and the play-calling was excellent. This supersedes any criticism leveled below.
• The defense came up clutch when it had to, and gave us a chance to win the game. For as long as they were on the field, they were clutch when it mattered most. 
  
• While the sacks weren't there to show it, overall, the blitzing scheme was effective.
• The secondary was 'meh' on passing game (which is always a bit of a challenge), but was really good when Eli Manning actually dropped back. As much as I hate Manning, he played very smart, and wasn't tempted to throw into good coverage. 

The bad:

• The defense has to get more three-and-outs against ball-control offenses. It's not like they aren't trying, but Christ. They were on the field way too much. By the fourth quarter they were understandably exhausted. Fortunately, they bet, but never broke, and came up clutch when they had too. That's not always going to happen though. 
• Along with that, in a game like this, the offense needs to sustain longer drives, simply to help the defense rest. I don't really know how you do that, with an ineffectual running game and receivers dropping passes, but it has to be done.
• The dropped passes absolutely cost SD points. I thought in getting rid of Chambers we got rid of the drops. Guess not.
• The fact the the Giants scored on the play masked yet another Shawne Merriman offsides. Dude!?!?

Coaching

• Trick play on a crucial 3rd and 5? If it worked, I'd be praising you, but it didn't. So, there ya go.
  
• I like throwing down the field, but not on 3rd down. You need 8 yards? Get 9.
• Sproles up the middle should hardly ever happen, and never in critical situations.
• Jacob Hester should only be on the field during special teams.

Great win. Again, a week where I have no major criticism of Norv Turner.