Colts vs. Chargers 2013: John Pagano out-coached his brother in Week 6

Chargers fans gave credit to defensive coordinator John Pagano for the team’s win, while Colts fans called Chuck Pagano’s decision-making “putrid.”

by Adam Stites

Oct 15, 2013, 1:43 PM UTC

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Chargers pulled off an upset in Monday Night Football, defeating the Indianapolis Colts, 19-9, to improve to 3-3. With a grinding rushing attack, the Chargers methodically made their way down the field on multiple occasions, dominating time of possession and avoiding turnovers.

However, it was defensive coordinator John Pagano that drew the most praise from John Gennaro of SB Nation’s Chargers blog, Bolts From The Blue:

Nobody deserves more credit for this victory than John Pagano. Without a single pass-rusher to speak of on the roster, and missing his defensive captain and play-caller in Donald Butler, this defense was able to consistently shut down a very potent Colts offense. I’m still not entirely certain of how they were able to accomplish it, except to point out the stellar play of the Chargers defensive linemen and a secondary that looked greatly improved with the return of Shareece Wright. I guess it was his creativity, and deception, before the play that kept John Pagano one step ahead of his brother’s team.

While Chargers fans were busy applauding the gameplan and efforts of their coaches, Colts fans were doing the opposite. Head coach Chuck Pagano, brother of John Pagano, was the recipient of much of the blame for the loss with offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton right behind him.

After the game, Brad Wells of SB Nation’s Colts blog, Stampede Blue, didn’t pull any punches:

Colts head coach Chuck Pagano was in over his head Monday night.
To say Pagano’s coaching decisions in the Colts’ 19-9 loss to the Chargers on Monday night were flawed is like saying the Titanic had a slight hull integrity problem.
Pagano was putrid Monday night. BAD. Really bad. Embarrassingly bad. Caldwellian, to say the least.
Yes, I know many of you will blast, berate, attack, and say naughty things at me for being the guy who calls out Indy’s head coach, but I don’t care. I agree that Chuck Pagano is a great guy who can motivate players and can coach the hell out of defensive backs.
As an in-game head coach, he’s seems as clueless as it gets.

The Chargers will look to earn back-to-back victories for the first time this season when they travel to face the winless Jacksonville Jaguars, while the Colts will have the tough task of bouncing back against the undefeated Denver Broncos.