San Diego Chargers Week 16 Three Phase Analysis

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS SPECIAL TEAMS. B. After a sub-par performance against the Denver Broncos, the Chargers saw improvement against the 49ers. In terms of the field goal game, Nick Novak made his only kick of the night, a 40-yard beauty to win the game in overtime. <p>Novak’s clutch field goal in the early moments of overtime are one of the reasons that the Chargers received a B for their special teams play. Other than that, the Chargers played a solid special teams game. Chris Davis averaged 26.5 yards per return on kickoffs, while replacement punter Mat McBriar averaged 50.3 yards per punt. McBriar’s longest punt ended up being a 58-yard bomb down the field.</p> <p>In terms of defending the returns, the Chargers could have improved in some respects. The Bolts allowed an average of 11.3 yards per return to rookie WR/PR Bruce Ellington. As well, Perrish Cox returned a kickoff 57 yards on the Chargers, giving the 49ers great field position. At the same time though, the 49ers only averaged 23.3 yards per return (17.6 yards per return without Cox’s 57-yarder).</p> <p>Except for last game against Denver, Saturday night’s game against San Francisco went exactly like the rest of the Chargers special teams performances. They didn’t make many plays, but didn’t botch any plays either. They were solid enough to earn a  respectable grade for the win.</p>. ST. San Diego Chargers