3 areas the Chargers need to improve after the bye week
The Chargers are in good shape at the bye week, currently sitting at 4-2, first in the AFC West and second in the conference.
Despite what the record shows, there are a few things Los Angeles needs to clean up before heading into the final stretch of the season for success.
Here’s a look at four things that the Bolts need to improve upon when they return to the action next Sunday and take on the Patriots.
Run defense
The Chargers not being able to slow the run has been an ongoing issue since the start of the season. Los Angeles was able to mask it with the offense and ability to limit the pass, but the team found out last weekend against the Ravens it was only a matter of time until it came back to bite them.
L.A. is allowing 162.5 yards per game and 5.6 yards per rush, which both rank dead-last in the NFL.
It has been evident that the defense does not have a front capable of consistently holding its own at the point of attack. Part of that is a lack of talent, especially with Justin Jones injured, and the other part is not having the player personnel to match the schematical changes.
Jones is expected to return after the bye, and while it should aid the area, it is not going to fix everything entirely. Therefore, the team should strongly consider making a trade for a player like Akiem Hicks before the deadline or signing a free agent.
Nonetheless, main contributors Linval Joseph, Jerry Tillery, and Christian Covington still all need to perform better and play more physically down the stretch.
Special teams
The Chargers spent this past offseason attempting to shore up the special teams. Los Angeles brought in players, like Tristan Vizcaino, Kyler Fackrell, Ryan Smith, and rookies Nick Niemann, Chris Rumph, and Larry Rountree, among others, hoping for a quick turnaround.
That has not been the case.
Starting with the most glaring issue, Vizcaino has not done much to show he was the right choice over Michael Badgley. Vizcaino has missed five extra points. Furthermore, he was coveted for his leg strength, but his kickoff touchback percentage is 41.94, ranking 30th in the league.
The return game has been woeful, particularly the kicking department. L.A. is last in average yards per kick return (16.5) and average starting field position on kickoffs (20.9-yard line).
After rotating through four players, the team has its fingers crossed for a higher success rate with Andre Roberts fielding both kicks and punts.
The coverage units have to be much better, as well. That means rallying to the football at a quicker pace, getting off blockers, and making low-man wins tackles.
The Chargers are averaging a starting field position of the 26.3-yard line on punts, which ranks 26th in the league, and the kickoff team is allowing a starting field position of the 24.6-yard line, which ranks 18th in the league, according to The Athletic’s Daniel Popper.
Early-down efficiency
The trend for the Chargers offense this season has been the success on third and fourth downs. The issue is that the unit has been in those situations far too often. The reasoning for that is because of the lack of production on first and second downs.
It’s been a combination of underwhelming play-calling and scheming and execution. If the offense allows Justin Herbert to be more aggressive instead of running the ball or throwing short parts of the field, the offense might be more efficient early and often.
