Rivers will test defensive depth
FOXBORO — Tom Brady is well-known for his ability to spread the ball around the Patriots offense, setting the NFL record for career touchdown passes to different players earlier this season.
His counterpart Sunday, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, is another veteran who excels at getting different pass-catchers involved, something that will test the Pats’ defensive depth when the teams meet at Gillette Stadium for their AFC divisional round matchup.
“This team is so unique in how many ways we’ve won games and how many guys contribute each week and how many different guys make a big play and how many guys make the gamechanging play,” Rivers said yesterday. “So many guys contribute. The guys that have bigger roles and smaller roles, everybody knows that role and embraces it.”
Led by wideout Keenan Allen and running back Melvin Gordon, a deep group of playmakers helped the Chargers win 12 games in the regular season and defeat the Ravens in Baltitight more on wild card weekend.
A classic pocket passer with a quick delivery and great accuracy, Rivers is the perfect trigger man to utilize everyone on offense and keep defenses off balance.
“They have a great group of receivers, great group of ends, great group of backs. (Rivers) uses all of them. It’s not one guy you have to stop,” Pats coach Bill Belichick said.
“I think that is one of our big positives of our offense,” Rivers said. “So many different guys touch the ball every week. Week to week, maybe not much one week and then they lead the team in receiving the next week or whatever it may be. I do think it makes us a little tougher to defend because we’re multiple. … We spread it around.”
Rivers’ proficiency and a strong group of players that complement stars like Allen and Gordon will stretch the Pats defense to its limit. Austin Ekeler has emerged as a capable receiving threat out of the backfield for the Chargers, and receivers Mike Williams, Tyrell Williams and Travis Benjamin are bigplay threats averaging more than 15 yards per catch.
Tight end Hunter Henry, just activated off IR earlier this week, would add yet another dimension if he’s able to suit up.
The offensive depth has helped Rivers play some of his best football in his 15th NFL season at age 37, posting some of the best numbers of his career.
“He’s played great. Very accurate. Obviously a smart guy. Offense runs through him,” Belichick said. “Makes good decisions with the ball. Uses everybody, as he always does.”
The Patriots know they can count on All-Pro corner Stephon Gilmore to limit whoever he’s lined up against Sunday. Beyond that matchup, the Chargers will have some opportunities. Players like Jason McCourty, J.C. Jackson, Elandon Roberts and others will have their work cut out for them lining up against a quarterback whose favorite receiver, like Brady, is whoever’s open.
The Chargers know they’ll need everyone Sunday against a Pats defense that typically thrives on taking away the opponent’s top threats.
“Going back to what I said, this defense here does a heck of a job of taking away what you do best,” Rivers said. “So we’ve got to be ready to adjust on the fly, and every guy on this offense has got to be ready to be the guy to make the play.”