As you can see in the photograph accompanying this story, Richard Sherman and Philip Rivers have a nice relationship. Perhaps it's because they respect each other as competitors (they do). Perhaps it's because they've never met on the field and really don't have reason for animosity (yet).
But my money is on this: Richard Sherman and Philip Rivers are almost the same person.
I'll give you a moment to let that sink in.
OK, here's the explanation as to why I believe these men are a lot more similar than anyone realizes, starting with the obvious.
Both men are insanely gifted football players. In any given season, you can expect Sherman and Rivers to be in the Pro Bowl conversation.
Both men are tremendously intelligent. You know by now about Sherman and his Stanford Communications degree (he's also started work on his Master's, by the way). But did you know Rivers was an Academic All-ACC selection at North Carolina State? Or that he scored a 30 on the NFL's infamous Wonderlic Test at the Combine, a better score than Drew Brees, John Elway, Dan Marino, or Peyton Manning? We're talking about two guys who can hold a conversation on a different level than you find in most NFL locker rooms.
Both men are notorious trash talkers. Sherman's blasts had become legend long before his post-NFC Championship Game comments about 49ers WR Michael Crabtree. It was Sherman who birthed the famous, "U Mad, Bro?" internet meme after giving Tom Brady (another guy who likes to bump his gums constantly) his comeuppance. Rivers will talk to any player any time about any thing. I'll never forget him running to the tunnel in Cincinnati in 2006 after a comeback win over the Bengals, yelling at the few Cincy fans still in the stands to, "GO HOME!"
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Rivers earned a more public reputation for laying the verbal smack down during a Monday Night Football thrashing of then-Broncos QB Jay Cutler. He was seen barking at Cutler (like Brady, a more subversive but less prolific taunter) and earned legions of new people who hated him. So, it's because of the TV cameras that...
Both men are grotesquely misunderstood. Sherman is engaging, funny, open and honest. The vast majority of his fire and brimstone are aimed at people who have already started a verbal sparring session. Sherman is putting transgressors in their places, and simply doesn't care if it reaches the ears of the general public. Rivers is similarly emotional on the field, wearing his emotions on his sleeve and taking just a little more joy in besting someone who's been talking out of turn.
You see it now? Richard Sherman and Philip Rivers are cut from the same cloth. I love both guys and think they're great for the NFL. It's going to be awfully fun watching them play a chess match Sunday afternoon at Qualcomm Stadium, which brings us to the three players to keep an eye on when the Chargers kick off against the Seahawks:
Keenan Allen, WR:
I know, kind of obvious, right? But, Allen possesses the skill set that can give Sherman trouble. The Seahawks' All-Pro is the best man-to-man cover corner in the NFL, bar none. However, he's not perfect. No man is. In last year's loss to the Colts, Sherman was beaten for a long touchdown by Indy WR T.Y. Hilton, who got open by using Sherman's aggressiveness against him. Off the line, Sherman was too anxious to initiate contact. Hilton wiped his hands away and took off. Now, this kind of mistake is rare, but one of Allen's greatest assets is his ability to get separation against a pressing corner. He won't be open all day, but there will be moments where Keenan has a step, and Rivers will need to keep looking over there. However, player number two will have a lot to say about that, as well.
Rich Ohrnberger, C:
He has plenty of experience starting games at center (he did it several times in Arizona), but this will be his first one as THE GUY in San Diego. Ohrnberger has filled in admirably for Nick Hardwick in the past, but he'll need to be borderline perfect against a Seahawks pass rush that's best described as "relentless." In fact, many of those times Sherman is beaten are erased because the QB doesn't have enough time to get the ball out anyway. Ohrnberger will make the line calls and set up the blocking schemes. When the Bolts are in their no-huddle and Rivers is checking to audibles, Rich will have to be on the same page or bad, bad things will happen. He's done it before (in the playoff win in Cincinnati last season, for example), so there's no reason to believe he can't do it again.
Danny Woodhead, RB:
Seattle has the best passing defense in the NFL, but they have given up large chunks of yards on the ground. Now, I chose Woodhead here instead of Ryan Mathews because, while he will get a few carries between the tackles, Danny's biggest impact could be in the passing game. Seattle brings pressure and brings it fast. It will be paramount for Rivers to have a place to go with the ball if the wide receivers and tight ends can't get open in time down the field. Woodhead is one of the best safety valves in the league. Expect him to be in on most 3rd down situations and have an impact with catches to keep the chains moving.
Derek's Prediction:
There's a reason I went with three offensive players. Yes, I know the Seahawks have a tremendous offense with the kind of balance most teams envy. QB Russell Wilson seems to always make the right decision. RB Marshawn Lynch is one of the toughest men in football to tackle. WR Percy Harvin can run any play out of any formation and has the ability to take any of them to the end zone.
But, one statistic stands out to me.
The Seahawks have lost eight straight games in which they've allowed at least 30 points. The last time they gave up 30 and won was the Wild Card playoff game against the Saints in 2010 (you may know it as The Earthquake Game).
While Pete Carroll's crew has an efficient offense, it's also methodical. They are likely not going to win a shootout. Luckily for them, Seattle rarely gets in to a shootout.
But, if anyone has the personnel at the skill positions to match up well with the Seahawks, it's the Chargers. It's going to be 100-plus degrees on the field at the Q. The blueprint for the Bolts is to do what they did so well in 2013. Go on long drives of at least six minutes that end with, not just points, but seven points. Field goals will definitely not be good enough this time.
Keeping the Seattle defense on the field for large chunks of time will take its toll. The last time the temperature hit triple digits in The Emerald City was 2009. Those guys simply are not used to this. The Chargers will have to dominate the time of possession and wear these guys down like a heavyweight boxer who keeps throwing body blows. Eventually they add up.
However, as much as my heart wants to say they pull the upset, I didn't see them finish enough drives in Arizona to convince me they can suddenly put it together this week. It'll be closer than the 6.0 point spread, but not quite close enough.
Final score: Seahawks 26, Chargers 23
