NFL News & Analysis

SD-ATL grades: Rookie Joey Bosa impresses again in Chargers' overtime victory

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 23: Joey Bosa #99 of the San Diego Chargers sacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on October 23, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

San Diego Chargers 33, Atlanta Falcons 30

Here are the highest-graded players and top takeaways from the Chargers' Week 7 overtime win over the Falcons.

Atlanta Falcons

Quarterback grade: Matt Ryan, 59.2

Pressure gets to Matt Ryan in overtime loss

Matt Ryan followed up his terrific performance against Seattle last week with a below-average performance against the Chargers. Ryan dropped back to pass 38 times, completing 22 of his 34 attempts with no drops while being sacked three times and throwing one pass away. Ryan faced pressure on 15 of his dropback attempts and completed 7 of 11 passes under pressure. He was two of five on targets of 20 yards or more for 75 total yards on such throws. Ryan’s late interception, coupled with his overthrown passes to wide open receivers, were costly in the Falcons' loss to the Chargers.

Matt Ryan passing under pressure

Top offensive grades:

WR Julio Jones, 90.0

C Alex Mack, 77.1

G Andy Levitre, 77.0

T Ryan Schraeder, 75.0

RB Devonta Freeman, 74.2

Falcons' offense starts fast, then sputters in second half

In a reversal of roles from last week’s game against Seattle, the Falcons had success in the first half against the Chargers. Julio Jones once again put on a show, and was Ryan’s go-to receiver; he was targeted 15 times, hauling in nine catches for 174 yards. Ryan threw an untimely interception late in the game against zone coverage, trying to force the ball to Jones. Devonta Freeman rushed 15 times and had some nice bursts running in the Falcons' outside zone scheme, but averaged only 1.93 yards after contact.

Top defensive grades:

CB Desmond Trufant, 85.4

CB Brian Poole, 85.4

S Keanu Neal, 82.9

CB Robert Alford, 80.4      

DE Adrian Clayborn, 80.1

Falcons' defense gives up too much to Chargers

The Atlanta defense looked solid early, and Adrian Clayborn sparked the defense when rushing the passer. Clayborn had a sack, a hit, and two hurries in his efforts to get Rivers off his preferred throwing spots in the Chargers' backfield. The Falcons' defensive front could not apply enough pressure to Rivers in the second half, and had time to pick apart the Atlanta secondary. Desmond Trufant played well however in the Falcons secondary. The veteran was targeted three times, yielding two receptions for 23 yards. Trufant also had nice pass breakups in man-to-man coverage.

San Diego Chargers

Rivers help leads Chargers to comeback win

Quarterback grade: Philip Rivers, 77.3

Rivers' hot hand helped rally the Chargers to victory. The San Diego QB dropped back to pass 47 times. He completed 27 of 43 pass attempts for 371 yards while being sacked four times and having two catchable passes dropped. Rivers faced pressure on only nine dropbacks, completing two of his five attempts under pressure while being sacked four times and throwing one pass away. Rivers completed three of six attempts sent 20+ yards or more downfield for 111 yards.

Philip Rivers v pressure

Top offensive grades

C Matt Slauson, 86.3

WR Tyrell Williams, 82.2

T King Dunlap, 80.3

QB Philip Rivers 77.3

RB Melvin Gordon, 76.5 

Rivers to Williams leads Chargers

Philip Rivers targeted Tyrell Williams 10 times, seven of those passes being completed for 140 yards. Williams was targeted four times on passes of 20 yards or more downfield, and had two catches on such throws for 87 yards. Rivers and Williams exploited the defense on crossing and corner routes, helping the Chargers to control the game in the second half. The San Diego offensive line played well as the game progressed; their ability to keep Rivers upright while having time to throw was a huge key to the comeback. Matt Slauson pass-protected well on the interior. Melvin Gordon touched the ball 28 times for the Chargers' offense (22 rushes, 6 receptions), and he averaged 2.18 yards after contact while also forcing two missed tackles.

Top defensive grades:

LB Denzel Perryman, 85.5

LB Melvin Ingram, 84.1

LB Joey Bosa, 84.1

DE Tenny Palepoi, 79.4

DT Brandon Mebane, 77.7

Chargers' defense finishes strong in comeback win

The Chargers' defense forced key stops late via an interception and a fourth-and-short in overtime to change the outcome of the game. Melvin Ingram was great against the run with four tackles and an assist, as he was able to free himself from blocks and make plays against the Falcons' outside zone scheme. Ingram also found success rushing the passer with one sack, a hit, and two QB hurries. Denzel Perryman had a complete game in run defense and rushing the passer. Joey Bosa was a force to be reckoned with rushing the passer; Bosa recorded two sacks, one hit, and three QB hurries, all helping to lead to the Falcons' inconsistencies on offense.

PFF Game-Ball Winner: Chargers QB Philip Rivers

PFF’s player grading process includes multiple reviews, which may change the grade initially published in order to increase its accuracy. Learn more about how we grade and access grades for every player through each week of the NFL season by subscribing to Player Grades.

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