Chargers' Pagano Hopes To Repeat Success Against Manning
SAN DIEGO (CBSLA.com/AP) — Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano has had some success containing Peyton Manning.
The Chargers, who face the Broncos on Thursday night, won last year at Denver and have kept Manning's offense under 21 points in three straight outings.
Whereas a week ago the Chargers were tied for the league's best record, they now don't even lead the AFC West.
"It always comes down to playing a team game," Pagano said. "Special teams, offense, those things have been so unique in those deals. And the guys going out and truly executing.
"That is what we have to do Thursday because this is the No. 1 of all the offenses that we face this year. It's probably not coming at a good time because we are not playing or executing at a high level."
The Chargers struggled defensively Sunday in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, snapping a five-game winning streak.
The Chiefs rushed for 154 yards, the most allowed by the Chargers this season, and converted on seven of 14 third-down attempts.
"Our last game was not our best performance," Pagano said. "We've got to go out and communicate and play the call."
Manning, meanwhile, topped Brett Favre's old record of 508 career touchdown passes by getting to 510 with four in Denver's 42-17 victory over San Francisco on Sunday night.
While Manning eliminated the Chargers in last season's playoffs, Pagano ousted Manning twice when he played for the Indianapolis Colts.
"I'm not in his head, I'm not," Pagano said. "Our teams and the different types of players we've had throughout the years really strived on going out and executing at a different level. We've had guys that truly understand him and tried to go out and have fun with it.
"But it's always tough because he is one of the best to play the game and we go out and give him the respect he deserves."
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