Today, Russell played like a Game Manager, NOT an elite QB.
CREDIT: GUS BRADLEY, LA CHARGERS DC.
Gus Bradley won this one. Wilson was not himself, probably because Gus Bradley knows Russell well enough that he knows how to confuse and perplex Russell.
Yes, an ELITE QB has seen this shite enough different times, that he adjusts more quickly than what Russell did. It's not just on Russell though, it's on Schotty for not figuring out Bradley's schemes sooner. Remember, Schotty doesn't really know Wilson that well; Bradley probably still knows him better.
It really comes down to a small handful of plays.
1) The Pick 6 was like a replay of the Chicago game pick 6, under nearly identical circumstances.
2) The off-target ball Russell threw on 3rd down where he flat missed the guy, I think it was Moore he was throwing to. Wide open, simply a bad throw.
3) Russell taking multiple, stupid, unnecessary, drive-killing sacks from holding the ball too long. The one that stands out is the 13 yard sack in the 4th quarter where Russell did his patented bail-out-the-back-of-the-pocket routine.
4) A bunch of other little plays here and there, especially 3rd down plays.
I think this game was an important part of the Schottenheimer + Wilson development process. Now Schotty has seen how a very crafty DC who knows Russell well will scheme against him. Guaranteed Wilson and Schotty will review this game film a lot, learn from it, and have a totally different, and much better, set of adjustments next time.
Also, let's give credit to Bradley and the Chargers D and secondary. They managed to make windows very tight for Russel all day, and to get a hand or finger on so many balls, including the potential game-tying TD throw to David Moore that looked like a drop.
One of Wilson's best moments was checking to a running play on 4th down where Davis picked up 8 yards and a first down. Is that not progress? Wilson being given the flexibility to audible, by Carroll and Schotty, and making a nice call and getting a good result.
Also, the loss of Fluker and Carson during the game was a huge factor. The two players who make the running game really go. Made things much harder for Russell.