Branden Oliver is turning heads for the San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers gave the New York Jets a heavy dose of the unexpected when they ran for 162 yards in a 31-0 home rout. The Jets sport one of the league’s best run defenses and the Chargers sport one of the league’s hottest quarterbacks. It only made sense that the game would be won or lost by the Chargers passing game. Instead, University of Buffalo graduate Branden Oliver stepped up in starter Donald Brown’s absence and lifted the Chargers to an easy win.
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“I’ve been running like that my whole life,” Branden Oliver said after the game, per ESPN. He ran for 114 yards and a rushing touchdown. He added four catches for 68 yards and another touchdown. “God gave me the ability to do that in the backyard with my brothers. They’ve always been faster than me, so I’ve had to cut back in different ways and in certain situations.”
Branden Oliver was cutting and speeding all day on an unprepared Jets defense, propelling the Chargers to a big win that keeps the team on top of the AFC West. Not only does this serve as the young running back’s notice to the rest of the NFL, it serves as a notice that San Diego may have one of the best offenses in football.
With Philip Rivers playing like an MVP and the Chargers sitting at 4-1 atop their division, San Diego may just be the team to beat thanks to added dimension from an unexpected source.
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