NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Los Angeles Chargers: State of the Bolts through four weeks

By Tyler Schoon

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball before he is stopped by defensive back Jahleel Addae #37 and defensive back Derwin James #33 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth quarter of the game at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball before he is stopped by defensive back Jahleel Addae #37 and defensive back Derwin James #33 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth quarter of the game at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Through the first quarter of the season, the Los Angeles Chargers are 2-2. Let’s check in on all three phases, and hand out some awards.

The Los Angeles Chargers picked up a victory in a much-tougher-than-expected contest against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4. With the win, that gives them a 2-2 record on the season, tying them for second in the AFC West at this point in the season, trailing the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs.

However, with losses to the Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams, the two remaining unbeaten teams after four weeks, there is reason for optimism for the Chargers. The schedule eases up and this team appears poised for a run.

With that in mind, let’s check in on this Los Angeles Chargers team and see where they stand in all three phases of the game at the quarter-mark of the season.

Defense

The Chargers are currently 23rd with 1,540 total yards allowed, ranking 21st in pass yards per game (275.8) and tied for 17th for allowed rushing yards per game (109.3). Team leaders include:

  • Derwin James: 26 tackles
  • Derwin James, Kyzir White, Trevor Williams, Isaac Rochell, Adrian Phillips (tied): One interception
  • Derwin James: Three sacks
  • Derwin James: Six passes defended

If you haven’t noticed, James is doing everything on defense, with the stats to back it up. He is, through a player’s first four weeks, the most impactful rookie in the Tom Telesco era by far.

Last season, if I had told you the Chargers would have a much better rushing defense than passing defense, you wouldn’t have believed me for a second. But here the team is, giving up play after play to seemingly wide-open receivers down the field. The number is high due to playing the two most dominant offenses in the NFL right now (Chiefs and Rams), but the lack of a pass rush and a secondary that hasn’t played like its elite self isn’t working right now.

More from NFL Spin Zone

The team is sorely missing Joey Bosa, in a way that most of us did not expect. Uchenna Nwosu, the next most obvious pass rusher, has been given scraps of defensive snaps and is criminally underused.

Offense

The offense is currently ninth in total yards with 1,614, ranking 13th in passing yards per game (278.8) and eighth in rush yards per game (124.8). Team leaders include:

  • Philip Rivers stats: 1,156 yards, 11 touchdowns, 68 percent completion rate
  • Leading rusher: Melvin Gordon, 276 yards
  • Leading receiver: Keenan Allen, 282 yards
  • Touchdown leader: Melvin Gordon (5)

Fans generally expect the Chargers to start slow, but the offense has been humming fairly well through the first four games. Worries about Philip Rivers versus the Chiefs or Rams were quelled by two impressive performances under pressure.

Along with strong effort from a seemingly improved offensive line, Austin Ekeler leads running backs with a ridiculous 6.7 yards per carry and is clearly the most dynamic back when he touches the ball.

However, much credit needs to be given to Gordon, who is off to a fantastic start and averages 5.1 yards per carry so far. Nowhere was this more evident than in the team’s Week 4 win against the 49ers, where Gordon carried the team in the second half on a bruising 6.9 yards per carry by game’s end.

Special Teams

There’s good, and there’s bad. Really bad. Covering kicks, the Bolts are ranked 17th, allowing opponents on average to get 22.5 yards per return. Anything less than 25 is a win for kick coverage.

MUST READ: NFL Quarterback Power Rankings, Week 5

Drew Kaser leads the punting unit with 46.6 yards per punt, 15th in the NFL. He’s been booming kicks and looks solid and steady. After last week’s performance by CB Desmond King, the Chargers are second in the NFL with 16.3 yards per punt return, a ranking fans are not used to seeing from their team. King may have earned a new job on top of his defensive work.

Here’s the fun one: The Chargers are “making” 77.8 percent of their field goals and 66.7 percent of their extra points. Incredibly, the field goal percentage is higher than last year’s combination of kickers. Caleb Sturgis seems 50-50 every time he’s up to kick the ball, but remains with the team after his abysmal performance versus the 49ers.

First-quarter awards

MVP: Derwin James, S

Rivers and Gordon were two other options, but James has been the standout for this team. He’s the defensive leader in almost every major category and the current front-runner for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

NFL Grades: First quarter report cards. dark. Next

LVP: Jahleel Addae, S

Paired up with James has been the most disappointing player for the Chargers this season, Addae. It’s unfortunate, as he’s been a good story for the team since his first year as an undrafted free agent, but he’s been out of place and making little-to-no impact thus far. Last week, he got spun around by a tight end for a massive touchdown.

Home/Los Angeles Chargers