Los Angeles Chargers: 2018 Midseason awards

Best “Hidden” Contributor

• Derek Watt, FB
• Adrian Phillips, S
• Virgil Green, TE

Although Green and Watt have been solid contributors in under-praised roles, it’s Adrian Phillips that takes the “win” here. Despite playing just 45.70 percent of the team’s defensive snaps, Phillips has possibly made the most impact snap-for-snap on defense. He helps shut down Marshawn Lynch one week, and makes the game-winning pass defense against the Titans the other. Phillips also is third in the league in special teams tackles with seven. 

Most Improved

• Mike Williams, WR
• Desmond King, CB
• Philip Rivers, QB

I’m going with King here, and here’s why: He’s made himself more valuable to his team. On defense, Pro Football Focus’ (subscription required) third-ranked corner has really turned on the jets after a slow start and consistently makes plays for the team. Becoming your team’s highest ranked defensive player through eight weeks is enough to give him the award.

However, his value has skyrocketed this season due to his special teams performance, including a stellar 13.9 yards per punt return average, sixth in the NFL this season. No one has improved more for the Chargers in just eight weeks than King.

Best Rookie

There isn’t a competition for this list: Derwin James is the unanimous pick for the best Chargers rookie, and possibly the frontrunner for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Best Play

• Austin Ekeler 44-yard touchdown vs. Raiders
• Tyrell Williams 45-yard touchdown vs. Browns
• Adrian Phillips game-winning tipped pass vs. Titans
• Derwin James game-sealing quarterback hit vs. 49ers
• Mike Williams 42-yard touchdown vs. Rams

There’s been some good ones this season, but I think the Ekeler touchdown against the Raiders has been my favorite of the year. Nothing has been more impressive in 2018 than Rivers taking a botched snap, spinning around, immediately find his safety outlet under pressure from two defenders, get the ball to Ekeler, and watch No. 30 make four or five defenders miss en route to a game-wrecking touchdown versus the hated division rival Raiders at home.

Worst Play

• Blocked punt vs. Rams
• Botched punt vs. Chiefs
• George Kittle long touchdown
• That garbage play/throw from Allen to Rivers
• Tyreek Hill’s entire 268-yard day vs. Chargers

While it’s tempting to put the explosion of Hill against the Chargers as the worst of the year, it doesn’t count as one play. I’m going to go with another play from the same game: J.J. Jones’ botched punt resulting in a Kansas City possession at the two yard line, ending in a touchdown.

Following a nine play, 91-yard touchdown to bring the game to 31-20, the Chargers forced a punt by the Chiefs offense and had a shot to make this a close game. Instead, the Bolts dropped a big divisional loss to the Chiefs, are behind them in the standings by just one game, had to “fire” preseason hero Jones from his return duties, and fell to 0-1.

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