Los Angeles Chargers 3 Takeaways from Week 1 vs Broncos

Los Angeles Chargers: 3 Takeaways vs Broncos in Week 1

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 11: Philip Rivers #17 hands the ball off to running back Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the second quarter of the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 11, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

3 of 4

DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 11: Running back C.J. Anderson #22 of the Denver Broncos slips aways from nose tackle Brandon Mebane #92 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the first quarter of the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 11, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

2. Chargers are still struggling to stop the run

Was it surprising that Trevor Siemian played the way he did on Monday night? Yes. Was it surprising that the Broncos were able to run the football on this tough Chargers’ defense? No.

Sadly, this has become a trend over the course of the preseason and has continued into the first week of the regular season. Preseason performances usually mean nothing when it comes to game in September through January, but for whatever reason, this has been their achilles heel to start the year.

According to ESPN, tThe Broncos ran for a total of 140 yards on 36 carries in their three point win over the Chargers. Take a look at the breakdown below:

CJ Anderson: 20 carries for 81 yards
Jamal Charles: 10 carries foe 40 yards
Trevor Siemian: 6 carries for 19 yards and one touchdown.

Needless to say, Gus Bradley must get back to the drawing board and figure out what Los Angeles needs to do to improve in this area. It’s not like they don’t have the players up-front to make it happen, so it just comes down to sheer execution.

It’s hard to win in this league whenever your give up over 100 yards on the ground, much less 140. That being said, the Chargers must get this right fast, as Jay Ajayi and the Miami Dolphins will be coming out to the west coast fresh this upcoming weekend.

Home/Los Angeles Chargers