The Chargers’ strong suit hasn’t always been stopping the run. Just three weeks ago, the team ranked No. 22 in the NFL, allowing 117.1 rushing yards per game.
Since then, the unit has made strides, giving up only 95 yards per game on the ground, which ranks them as the ninth-best in this category the past three weeks. Had they not allowed a couple big carries, this number would be significantly lower.
The running backs that Los Angeles has slowed down happen to be among the best at their position in the NFL — Titans’ Derrick Henry, Packers’ Aaron Jones and Raiders’ Josh Jacobs.
Their success all starts up front in the trenches. Despite missing starting defensive tackles Justin Jones and Brandon Mebane, Damion Square and recently acquired Sylvester Williams have done a phenomenal job filling in.
Williams, the 6-foot-2 and 313 pounder, was picked up to fill the role of Mebane. Whether it’s clogging holes or forcing double teams to allow other members of the front seven to make plays, Williams has shown to be a solid acquisition.
Last year it was Darius Philon who was the unsung hero in the trenches, but this year it’s been Square, who has been a huge contributor to the defense.
Defensive ends Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram have been a dominant force at getting to the opposing quarterback, but running backs as well.
The rest of the front seven and backend of the defense was notorious for missing their assignments and missing tackles in the open field, but the group has really come into their own in those areas.
Whether it’s diagnosing where the football is going, avoiding blocks, or tackling with sound technique, they haven’t allowed many explosive plays like they used to in the past.
The Chargers will have to keep this same energy in this department the rest of the way out, as they will face Vikings’ Dalvin Cook, Jagaurs’ Leonard Fournette and Jacobs once more.
