Alliance... » Efficiency is the name of Ekeler’s game

It was almost one year ago to the day that Austin Ekeler took his first career carry 35 yards to the endzone against the eventual Super Bowl champion Eagles in last year’s week four contest.As fans erupted with joy and jubilation White Drew Kaser Jerseys , it inevitably turned into reserved optimism because, as they say, “one carry does not a career make.” But a little less than 365 days later, we are still seeing flashes and feeling the residuals from that unexpected performance.Going into the Chargers 2018 season, Ekeler is no longer a former-UDFA coasting by on his strong 2017 preseason performance which landed him on that year’s final 53-man roster. He is now the solidified RB2 on this team and retains a vice-grip on his roster spot that doesn’t look to be relinquished anytime soon.It was expected that Ekeler would see an inflation in playing time this season, regardless if tight end Hunter Henry was healthy and available. In the Bolts’ first game of the 2018 season, many of the fan base’s expectations came to fruition, and then some.As a runner, Ekeler received just a handful of carries against the Chiefs (5) compared to Gordon (15). But true to form Drew Kaser Jerseys 2019 , Ekeler’s average yards per tote was almost double Gordon’s (7.8 to 4.3).As receivers, both backs were pelted with targets in their comeback attempt. Gordon caught 9 of his 13 targets for 102 yards, averaging 11.3 per catch, while Ekeler caught all five of his for 87 yards, a touchdown, and a very healthy 17.4 yards average.For the game, he averaged 12.6 yards per touch.Gordon’s average, albeit on more than twice the touches, was just 6.9.It will never seem fair to compare their boxscores unless the two start to record comparable workloads but this theme has stayed the same since way back into last season and I don’t think it can be ignored much longer.The most satisfying thing about watching Ekeler play football is that he just has that uncanny White Brandon Mebane Jerseys , uncoachable ability to make plays when the team needs it the most. It’s usually the main difference between the players that are kinda good and the great players, the players that are recalled occasionally and the ones you just cannot forget.In the above play, Gordon is out wide to the left with Keenan Allen in the slot. Ekeler runs a traditional go-route while Allen runs a fade towards the sideline. Allen’s route incidentally takes him to Ekeler and when Rivers lets it rip, you can’t really tell who he’s trying to throw it to.The ball is just out of reach for Allen but also looked to be short of Ekeler, as well. Unsurprisingly, Ekeler put enough distance between him and his defender off the line that he was able to come to a stop for a full second and allow the ball to land in his arms before the defender could get back into position.This play kicked off the team’s third drive of the game, arguably one of the most important drives of the entire game, as the Chargers found themselves in an early 14-3 hole and were needing points about as bad as Kyle Posey needs a “no credit card minimum” at happy hour.They needed a play. Ekeler answered the call.Unpopular opinion time: Ekeler is the team’s most successful power-back.Here me out.At the end of the day, it does not matter how strong or heavy a running back is if they cannot fall forward after runs and grind out the two or three-yard gains necessary to keep drives moving in critical situations. Ekeler Brandon Mebane Jerseys 2019 , all 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds of him, wins in these situations more than not.There’s nothing too flashy about this play from Ek, but the ending is just one of a plethora of examples that showcase his ability to finish runs. The stiff-arm on LB Anthony Hitchens is a nice touch, as well.I’m throwing this last play in here for good measure to really hammer home how Ekeler has a such grasp on the little things that a player can do to tack on an extra yard or two at the end of plays.It’s just a simple hesitation before he gets skinny and splits the defenders but again, it’s always been the little things with #30. They add up. As cliche as it is to say, there’s a reason why coaches and leaders beat the sentiment into the ground.I don’t know about you guys, but I’m excited. I’m excited to see if Ken Whisenhunt will continue to wise up and keep finding new and creative ways to get Ekeler on the field as the season goes on.I mean, and dare I say it, but good teams usually want their best running back on the field White Casey Hayward Jerseys , right? The Chargers have stopped the bleeding. Now, can they find a way to do what they couldn’t do in Week One?Los Angeles trails Kansas City 14-7 at halftime.The Chargers trailed 17-12 at halftime of the season opener before losing 38-28. The Chargers lost an opportunity to draw closer Thursday night, at the Kansas City 11-yard line with 54 seconds remaining in the half, but Philip Rivers threw an interception in the end zone. Kendall Fuller picked Rivers on a pass intended for Tyrell Williams.The Chargers, who had only 10 turnovers entering the game, had two in the first half. Rivers threw an interception on his first pass, with Steven Nelson getting the pick.Rivers has completed 12 of 16 passes for 152 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Mike Williams has five catches for 71 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown.Keenan Allen, who does not have a catch Casey Hayward Jerseys 2019 , injured his hip while nearly making a spectacular touchdown catch that would have tied the game. He has played only one snap since and the team lists him as questionable to return.The Chiefs scored on their first two possessions, with Patrick Mahomes throwing touchdown passes of 5 yards to Demarcus Robinson and 11 yards to Darrel Williams. Kansas City punted on its two second-quarter possessions, though, and Mahomes got lucky Jahleel Addae dropped an interception.Mahomes is 12-of-19 for 109 yards with two touchdowns.Chiefs safety Eric Berry has a team-leading six tackles in his first game of 2018. Chris Jones has 2.5 sacks, the 10th consecutive game he has had at least one sack. The Chiefs have four sacks of Rivers.