While San Diego wide receiver Keenan McCardell calls the team’s recent big offensive numbers “a different animal for us,” Sunday’s 49-41 win over Cincinnati left some observers wondering about the Chargers’ normally stout defense.
The Bengals rolled up 545 total yards, with quarterback Carson Palmer throwing for 440. In the first five games of the season, San Diego had allowed an average of just more than 241 total yards, with only 159 in the air. In two of the past three weeks, however, opponents have gone over 400 yards overall, with more than 300 yards passing.
“Last year, we gave up maybe two big passes all year long. We gave up two today,” Chargers defensive back Quentin Jammer said after the Cincinnati game. “We can’t be relaxed knowing that we have a great offense.”
The most devastating individual performance may have come from Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson, who caught 11 passes for a team-record 260 yards and two touchdowns. While those numbers might have Broncos wideout Javon Walker licking his lips in anticipation of going against the San Diego secondary, Jammer insisted there will not be a repeat performance when the Chargers play Sunday night at Invesco Field at Mile High.
“You know, Javon’s a great receiver, but I’ve said it before and I’ll say it now, Chad Johnson is the best in the league,” Jammer said. “I’ve played against every receiver that people think are the best, except (Carolina’s) Steve Smith. So he may be up along with him, Nos. 1A and 1B.
“I’m not discrediting what Javon Walker can do, but he’s no Chad Johnson.”
