Chargers happy, but not satisfied with their defense so far this season – Orange County Register

EL SEGUNDO — The Chargers entered Week 9 of an 18-week season with the stingiest defense in the NFLgiving up a paltry average of 13 points per game. They rank eighth in net yards, 11th in rushing yards, ninth in net yards and 13th in yards allowed per play.

Surprised?

No, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter wasn’t surprised.

Content?

Yes, Minter was pleased.

Content?

No, Minter was not satisfied.

“Just the way these guys worked, bought in, played together and did it, I really felt since April that we had a chance to be a good team,” Minter said Thursday. “So sometimes things went well. There were times when the boys had to step in and role-play. The preparation of the younger performances was good. The coaches did a great job with all the players available.

But …

“It’s a week-to-week league,” Minter added, “so we don’t really sit back and go, ‘OK, this is where we’re at now.’ We have to try to beat the Cleveland Browns this week. You’re only as good as your last game on the field, and they’re coming off their best performance of the season thanks to a personnel change (with Jameis Winston at quarterback). This is a great challenge that we are excited about.”

OK, but what do you really think?

“Like how we play,” Minter said.

Minter wasn’t alone in praising the defense while also expecting more from it.

“I’m doing some cool things,” outside linebacker Khalil Mack said, “but I just have to build on it, put it together and try to be even more dominant. From the patterns, to the way of thinking, to having everyone hold each other accountable… I feel like that was huge for us.”

Said safety Derwin James Jr.: “I feel like we’re in a good place, but we’re definitely not where we want to be as a defense. Nowhere near where we want to be. We work every week to get better. In fact, every day to make it better. We’re just trying to do it.”

Chargers the crime benefited capitalize on defensive success by taking advantage of not-so-great league rankings. The Chargers rank 24th in points per game (18.9), 23rd in net yards per game, 20th in net rushing yards, 24th in net yards per game and 20th in yards per game .

In many ways, the Chargers’ defense has eased the burden on the offense.

“I have always had high regard for our defense,” Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said. “We have always had very talented players. We had a great plan. It was nice to see it this year. They forced multiple turnovers and came up with strong stops on third downs. I have always rated our defense very highly.

“As long as they do that (limiting opposing offenses to two or fewer touchdowns), it’s up to us (the offense) to be able to convert third downs and score points in the red zone. Having that defense makes our job a lot easier when it’s a field position battle.

Chargers, not really strangle the New Orleans Saints during their 26-8 victory last Sunday. The Chargers went into bend-but-not-crack mode, giving up 366 total yards, including 249 passing yards. Most of them occurred at the end of the first half and at the end of the match.

It certainly wasn’t perfect, but the Chargers’ defense allowed only two field goals.

It also gives the Chargers (4-3) something to chase on Sunday when they face Winston, shutting out Nick Chubb and the Browns (2-6) in Cleveland.

“At the end of the day, you’re trying to prevent your team from scoring,” Minter said. “For me, there’s a fine line in the game where you always have to take away yards and expose yourself to potentially big plays and always play tight between guys. You could really stifle some teams and come close to making a one-on-one outside for a 60-yard touchdown. I think there is a balance there.”

Originally published: October 31, 2024 at 5:35 pm PDT