OFFENSIVE LINE
The Chargers have one of the NFL's best pass rushes and consistently can reach the quarterback by sending only four players. They sacked Tom Brady three times, though one was the quarterback's fault and one was the coverage variety when center David Andrews finally lost control of defensive tackle Darius Philon. Before right tackle Marcus Cannon injured his ankle, he allowed three pressures (as did his replacement, LaAdrian Waddle) and was late getting out on a receiver screen that lost 2 yards. He was beaten by Joey Bosa on a move to his inside for a sack, but he wiped out linebacker Korey Toomer on Rex Burkhead's fourth-and-1 run for 8 yards. Right guard Shaq Mason was steady, but nose tackle Damion Square beat him badly to the inside on one play, applying pressure up the middle, which Brady hates. Andrews mostly held up, but left guard Joe Thuney was badly beaten by Melvin Ingram's spin move, also creating inside pressure, but Brady unloaded to Rob Gronkowski to avoid a sack. Thuney also was flagged for clipping and holding. Left tackle Nate Solder had some good moments against Bosa, but he also continued his season-long struggles. Solder allowed far too much pressure plus a hit, and he failed to get off a doubleteam in time to block Adrian Phillips, resulting in a 3-yard loss on a run. He also was flagged for an illegal block in the back. Given the lack of touchdowns and minimal room in the running game, the line did not have a good day.