The Chargers’ defensive turnaround has largely gone unnoticed

While quarterback Justin Herbert and coach Jim Harbaugh focus most of the attention on the Los Angeles Chargers, a change in defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has gone unnoticed.

Sunday’s 26-8 victory over the New Orleans Saints was the second time this season that the defense didn’t allow a touchdown. It’s the first time since 2013 that the Bolts (4-3) haven’t given up a TD in two of their first seven games.

The team is allowing a league-low 13 points per game. He conceded just nine tries, the second-lowest total in seven games in franchise history.

“Sometimes it feels like we have a script. We’re prepared for what they’re going to play,” safety Derwin James said after Sunday’s game. “We just play by our rules. We play fast, we just get to the ball and we don’t think about anything. You see the results we achieve.”

Minter was the defensive coordinator at the University of Michigan for two years and was one of nine assistants who joined Harbaugh when he was named Chargers coach after leading the Wolverines to a national title last season.

After the Chargers allowed Arizona to kick the winning field goal in Monday’s final game, the defense was determined to keep the Saints out of the end zone on the final play, even though victory was already assured.

New Orleans had to play the game without a timeout after a rough passing penalty. The Saints were unable to convert when Jake Haener’s pass to Chris Olave was incomplete.

“It actually meant something. It doesn’t matter, it’s points against our defense and we don’t want to give up any points,” James said. “I don’t care if it’s the last two minutes, I don’t care if we get the lead. We try to finish in the fourth quarter.”

The Chargers also didn’t allow a touchdown during their 26-3 victory over Carolina in Week 2. While the end zone stoppages occurred against teams with a combined three wins, Harbaugh is not one to downplay those accomplishments.

“We play really good defense and the competition is good,” Harbaugh said Monday.

The most significant improvement in defense came in the passing game. The Chargers are allowing 193.4 yards per game – ninth in the league – compared to 297.4 at this point a year ago.

The defense also forced opponents to three rushes on 28.6% of shots, the highest percentage since 2010.

James believes the Chargers can play even better defense the rest of the season.

“Every week we go in there (marked) because we know we’re missing plays like that and some technique stuff that we can be better at to dominate. We’re just trying to do it,” he said.

What works

Deep passing game. Herbert was 4 of 6 on passes of at least 20 yards through the air for 156 yards and a touchdown. For the first time in Herbert’s career, he played two games in a row and finished with deep balls at least four times.

What needs help

Bonus points. Cameron Dicker has made 58 consecutive field goals within 50 yards, the second-longest streak since 1991, but is one of five players to miss two extra points this season.

Stock up

RT Joe Alt. According to the league’s Next Gen Stats, the rookie didn’t allow pressure on any of his 38 pass-blocking snaps. That’s the most no-pressure snaps allowed by a rookie over the last three seasons.

Stocks down

LG Zion Johnson. He struggled in pass protection and was tackled on two of three times Herbert was sacked.

Injuries

LB Joey Bosa returned after missing three games with a glute strain and played 20 snaps before appearing to suffer an ankle injury. … CB Kristian Fulton aggravated a hamstring injury.

Key numbers

535 – JK Dobbins rushing, the Chargers’ best start since Melvin Gordon threw for 579 yards in seven games in 2018.

4 – Touchdowns by Ladd McConkey, who is third among rookie receivers. McConkey was the first Chargers rookie since Seyi Ajirotutu in 2010 to have over 100 receiving yards and two TDs in a game.

What’s next?

The Chargers have won four straight games against the Browns (2-5), including the last two trips to Cleveland. This will be Los Angeles’ third of five games against teams that currently have losing records.