Los Angeles Chargers: Offensive line key to making 2017 Playoffs?
By Derek Snyder
The Los Angeles Chargers are looking to improve from their 5-11 record a year ago, but what will it take for the team to make the 2017 NFL Playoffs?
Maybe moving to a completely new city is exactly what the Los Angeles Chargers need to erase their memory of the last few seasons in San Diego. It’s not like this has been a franchise without legitimate talent, but the Chargers just haven’t been able to put together a winning season in quite some time.
Actually, the last time they had a winning record was in 2014 where they finished 9-7. Needless to say, going 9-7 isn’t going to give fans hope that a championship is in the near future.
While winning a Super Bowl shouldn’t be on the minds of Chargers fans heading into the 2017 season, potentially making the NFL Playoffs should be. Take a look at what Michael Renner from Pro Football Focus believes is the key to Los Angeles making the postseason this year:
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"“I would say they need to once and for all avoid the injury bug, but with Mike Williams and Forrest Lamp – their top two picks from this year’s draft – already possibly out for the season, it’s too late for that. What they really need is drastically improved offensive line play. Over the past three seasons, the Chargers offensive line hasn’t ranked higher than 29th in the NFL in terms of pass blocking efficiency. That is completely unsustainable. With all the weapons offensively, if they could simply bring that up to average, they’ll be in playoff contention.”"
Honestly, I don’t think Renner could have been more spot on with where the Chargers need to improve this season. Los Angeles’ front-office has done an incredible job of brining in talent from free-agency and the NFL Draft in recent seasons. When you mix those additions with long-term veterans like Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates, you get one scary offense full of play-makers.
That being said, the Chargers won’t be successful if their offensive line can’t protect Rivers and give Melvin Gordon lanes to run through. Not to mention, losing rookie Forrest Lamp for the season doesn’t instill much confidence moving forward.
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At the end of the day, the Los Angeles Chargers are going to ride or die with the play of the offensive line. With the additions of rookie Dan Feeney and former Super Bowl winner Russell Okung, Los Angeles just might have a playoff run in them by the end of the 2017 NFL season.