The Chargers give up 361.9 yards per game, 24.9 points, and opposing quarterbacks have a field day as they yield 284.1 yards through the air. Why am I writing a piece about a “struggling” defense? Because when you turn on the film and look deeper into the numbers, San Diego is clearly one of the better defensive units in the league. They show glimpses of dominance now, but the pieces are there for a bright future. Let’s take a look at how this unit came about and has performed this season.
Eric Weddle left in the offseason and it may have surprised some while others deemed it as imminent. This left a huge void in the secondary and many figured Tom Telesco and company had their eyes set on Jalen Ramsey. In somewhat of a shocking move, the Chargers selected Joey Bosa with the third overall pick. They viewed the former Buckeye as the best player in the draft bar none. They also drafted Jatavis Brown in the fifth round and signed Trevor Williams after the draft. In free agency, they signed a slew of defenders that have panned out. Casey Hayward, Brandon Mebane, Caraun Reid, and Dwight Lowery headline a group of underrated signings. They even signed Korey Toomer during the middle of the season. Hayward and Lowery have always been solid defensive backs and somehow did not generate much free agency buzz. Mebane and Reid are strong interior linemen with good speed and were simply salary cap casualty hits.
On paper, this defense had mediocrity written all over them. They have actually overachieved as a core. Unfortunately, injuries and contract negotiations have hindered the potential of this young core. Bosa missed a handful of games due to contract negotiations. Jason Verrett, one of the best corners in the NFL, ended his season with a knee injury. Manti Te’o tore his Achilles. Finally, Reid tore his ACL and Mebane tore his biceps. Denzel Perryman, Jahleel Addae, and Brown have been in and out of the lineup with injuries as well. Injuries have robbed us of seeing a healthy defense, but the Chargers “next man up” approach has paid dividends.
The front seven has certainly been in flux. However, no matter whom John Pagano has inserted into the lineup, they continue to stuff the run as they have allowed only 89.8 yards rushing per game. In fact, San Diego has not allowed an opposing running back to rush for 100 yards. That list includes Spencer Ware, DeMarco Murray, Jay Ajayi, Lamar Miller, and Devonta Freeman. These guys pride themselves on stopping the run, which keeps the score close. Corey Liuget, Damion Square, and Mebane have done a good job of taking on offensive line and sacrificing their bodies. Their sacrifices have allowed Perryman, Brown, and Toomer to drop the hammer on runners. The three linebackers also play well in coverage. Melvin Ingram and Bosa play with good technique on the edge as they keep the tackles at bay as they force runners to turn upfield into the mob waiting for them in the middle. Adrian Phillips, Dexter McCoil, and Addae do a good job at safety attacking the line of scrimmage. It is very rare to see the Chargers give up big runs.
The front seven also does a good job getting after the quarterback as they have racked up 26 sacks thus far. They are ranked 12th in that category. The addition of Bosa has helped Ingram get more one-on-one opportunities on the other side of the defense. San Diego’s pass rush helps speed up quarterbacks in the pocket and change the way offensive coordinators call plays. The reinvigorated pass rush also benefits an ailing secondary.
The Chargers are without Verrett and, at times, are missing Brandon Flowers. They do not have household names at safety. In fact, if you ask someone to name a Chargers safety, they would probably be hard pressed to name one. This secondary struggles against the pass as they rank at 26th when it comes to stopping aerial assaults. On the contrary, this is an opportunistic unit. Hayward is the league leader in interceptions with six. The Vanderbilt product is a gambler at corner and he takes advantage of his excellent hands. He positions himself well and attacks 50/50 balls. Aside from Hayward, Craig Mager, Williams, Lowery, Flowers, McCoil, Phillips, and Addae play solid football during the course of a game. They play assignment football, but the problem is not all of these guys are long-term answers for either cornerback or safety. Nevertheless, this unit has performed better than the stats show. They lead the league in interceptions with 14.In every game this season, the defense has held its own and then some. They are probably the main reason the Chargers have been within striking distance in a lot of those close losses. The Bolts defense leads the league in takeaways with 26 and defensive touchdowns with 4. Pagano and company pride themselves on stopping the run, which allows the Chargers to control the game. Now think about that for a moment. The Chargers defense lead the league in takeaways, have not given up 100 yards to a rusher, and score touchdowns. I understand that it has not translated into wins, but this defense deserves some recognition.
The biggest improvements in this unit have been their ability to generate sacks, force turnovers, and get off the field on third downs. Their propensity to relinquish a lot of yards stems from the fact that the offense turns the ball over a lot at times. The defense accepts the challenge and has played better than most would have anticipated. The injuries on defense have been a curse, but they have allowed players to take on bigger roles and excel. McCoil, Williams, Phillips, Toomer, Square and others have gained experience that will help speed up their growth.
The Chargers have one of the best young defensive cores around the league in Perryman, Brown, Bosa, Ingram, Verrett, and Jerry Attaochu. On paper, they look like a mediocre bunch, but they play with enthusiasm and fire. They have taken on their defensive coordinator’s personality. If the Chargers are going to make an unlikely playoff run, it will be because of this Machiavellian defense.
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