Union-Tribune columnist Nick Canepa grades the Chargers after Sunday’s regular season finale at Denver, a 23-9 victory:

Quarterbacks: C-

Philip Rivers suddenly at times is Greg Maddux without control and a live fastball. He had a chance for a quick start following an onside kick recovery, but got picked (again on first possession, third straight game), and then another in the first quarter. Pressure is keeping him from long stuff. There should not be offensive problems. Get better or go home — wherever that is.

Running backs: C+

Melvin Gordon ran hard in the second half and then tweaked an ankle when he shouldn’t have been playing. Austin Ekeler returned, had a 41-yard run and a 1-yard score.

Receivers: B

Mike Williams has become a Rivers go-to — when he can go to him — and caught another TD (his 10th). Antonio Gates was up for a $1.25-million bonus if he caught 3 passes and/or 2 for TDs. Alas, Back Seat Fredo didn’t have to break open his piggy bank. Keenan Allen still not quite himself. Travis Benjamin dropped a long pass.


Offensive line: D

Not playing nearly as well as it did earlier. And it must in January. Mike Pouncey bocce-balled a snap to Rivers.

Defensive line: A-

Joey Bosa played enthusiastically and had a sack to force a FG at half’s end, then recovered a fumble, then another sack. Darius Philon whiffed a sack. Denver held more than white-knuckle flier. Still hard to believe Melvin Ingram made the Pro Bowl.

Linebackers: C+

Kyle Emanuel picked up an errant backward pass and scored. Jatavis Brown left on a cart, and he wasn’t playing golf. Terribly thin. Adrian Phillips was the top LB, and he’s a safety. He forced a fumble. Hayes Pullard covering a wideout?

Secondary: B

Playing a team with nothing but four rookie receivers. Derwin James seemingly played 11 positions. Michael Davis continued to play well. Jahleel “Brain Flatulence” Addae got beat on a long pass to a nobody, then immediately picked a pass in the end zone, then gave it back on a stupid lateral (resulting in 3 points), then hurt something other than his feelings. Blew coverage on a TD. Casey Hayward returned a 2-point try 102 yards for 2.


Special teams: A

Brandon Facyson wasn’t fooled by opening onside kick, then he recovered a weird fumble on a kickoff. Kyle Wilson held on a punt. Donnie Jones actually punted well (he had a lot of practice).

Coaching: D+

With the Chiefs winning big, it became obvious early the game was a meaningless August exhibition, but Anthony Lynn figured if he had to be a part of this mess, so did his starters. Stupid play call having Geno Smith throw instead of eating clock.

Next opportunity (wild-card game at Baltimore): A

Educators know how hard it is to beat Lynn twice in the same season when games mean something. They’re better outside L.A. (7-1), and thinking is Gus Bradley will stop the Ravens’ unique run game.


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