Top 10 Reasons Chargers are Solid

Here is a  fun fact to get your mind going before we continue to this  list. When the Chargers defeated the Eagles in week 2 of the 2013 NFL Season, they netted 539 total offensive yards which is the most in team history since 1985. Coincidentally, the 1985 Chargers began their season trying to improve on a 7-9 record from the year before.

Now, onto the top 10 reasons why the San Diego Chargers are solid and underrated.

1. Quarterback Philip Rivers is thriving in this offensive scheme. He has 614 passing yards for the year with 7 touchdowns and just 1 pick, which equals out to a 115.8 passer rating. At this rate, he would finish the season with 4,912 yards, 56 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. Does this start to paint a picture for you non-believers?

2. Wide receiver Eddie Royal has broken his career highs in the best category possible, TOUCHDOWNS. In week 1 he had two catches for scores and in week 2 he had three.  He is on a roll and there’s no sign of slowing down.  The 5’10” receiver has been HUGE in the redzone.

3. Running back Ryan Matthews is finding his place in the committee backfield.  He rushed for 73 yards on 16 carries which is a 4.56 average.  Look for him to get more touches when the Chargers try to control the pace of the game.  He has also shown great pass catching ability and has a receiving touchdown this year as well.

4. Running back Danny Woodhead may be as much of a good luck charm as he is a playmaker. When he’s on the field, defenses don’t know what to do because he can take a handoff or roll out as a pass catcher. The same goes for Ronnie Brown and even Ryan Matthews, so with all 3 running backs on the team averaging over 5.3 yards a catch, there’s infinite ways to move the chains.

5. The offensive line is getting the job done. So far, the line has limited opposing defenses to 3 sacks in 2 games, which is on pace to cut last year’s sack total by more than half. The new additions of King Dunlap on the blind side and 11th overall pick D.J. Fluker on the right have helped win battles in the trenches.

6. Kicker Nick Novak has the golden boot. He is 4 for 4 on field goal attempts right now. What’s more impressive is that 3 of those field goals were from 40+ yards and one was a game winner. He has been poised and clutch, helping seal the Chargers first victory.

7. Despite talk about the Chargers lack of depth, everyone has been stepping up on both sides of the ball. With starting middle linebacker Manti Te’o out from an ankle injury, and the team’s top pass rushers Corey Liuget and Dwight Freeney not being 100 percent, the front seven has played well with help from backups like Bront Bird who has 15 combined tackles. A key stat is that this defense has held Arian Foster to 57 yards and LeSean McCoy to 53. The wide receiving corps has also lost key pieces in Danario Alexander and possibly Malcom Floyd for an extended period of time but the passing game has not slowed down one bit.  Antonio Gates is still a match-up nightmare and leads the team with his 17.3 average yards per catch.

8. Cornerback Shareece Wright has rewarded the front office by stepping into his role as the starter after the Chargers secondary got revamped this offseason. He is leading the team in tackles in the backfield, which proves he is an overall playmaker instead of just a cover corner.

9. The Chargers are ranked within the top 15 offensively in every category. 15th in Rushing yards per game (103), 11th in passing yards per game (298), 7th in total yards per game (401), and 5th in points per game (30.5).

10. Head Coach Mike McCoy is on track to have his best offensive coaching year ever. If you thought last year’s season with the Denver Broncos was something, you’d might be surprised to know that the Chargers are currently on pace to beat that. The Broncos averaged 283 passing yards per game, 397 total yards per game, and 30 points for game. You can make the comparisons with ‘reason #9’ and see the scale is tipped in the Chargers’ favor.

There is still a long season ahead and a lot of football to be played, but the numbers speak for themselves. The Bolts are currently flying under the radar putting up power house numbers. If this type of production continues, it won’t be long before they put the league on notice. The upcoming game will be a road matchup vs. the Tennessee Titans. Philip Rivers’ career record against them is 5-0. It’s not too bold to predict another win for San Diego.

INJURY UPDATE: Malcom Floyd flew back with the team after being carted off the field during the Chargers vs. Eagles game. He was having a great game with 102 receiving yards before the injury.  Head Coach Mike McCoy says the wideout is doing well.