The Chargers turnaround on defense has largely flown under the radar

While quarterback Justin Herbert and coach Jim Harbaugh command most of the attention for the Los Angeles Chargers, coordinator Jesse Minter’s turnaround of the defense has flown under the radar.

Sunday’s 26-8 victory over the New Orleans Saints marked the second time this season that the defense did not allow a touchdown. It’s the first time since 2013 that the Bolts (4-3) haven’t given up a TD in two of their first seven games.

The unit allows a league-low 13 points per game. It has given up just nine touchdowns, the second-lowest total in franchise history through seven games.

“Sometimes it feels like we have the script. It’s like we’re prepared for whatever they’re doing,” Derwin James said after Sunday’s game. “We just play our rules. We play fast, just get to the ball and don’t think too much. You see the results we achieve.”

Minter spent two years as the defensive coordinator at the University of Michigan and was one of nine assistants who joined Harbaugh when he was named coach of the Chargers after leading the Wolverines to a national title last season.

After the Chargers allowed Arizona to score a game-winning field goal on the final play last Monday night, the defense was determined to keep the Saints out of the end zone on the final play, even though victory was already assured.

New Orleans had to make a play with no time on the clock after a passer penalty. The Saints were unable to convert when Jake Haener’s pass to Chris Olave was incomplete.

“It meant something. It’s not pointless, it’s points against our defense, and we don’t want to give up any points,” James said. “I don’t care if it’s the last two minutes, I don’t care if we took the lead. We are trying to finish in the fourth quarter.”

The Chargers also didn’t allow a touchdown in their 26-3 win over Carolina in Week 2. While the end zone shutouts came against teams with a total of three wins, Harbaugh isn’t one to diminish performance.

“We play really good defense and the competition was good,” Harbaugh said Monday.

The defense’s most significant improvement was against the pass. The Chargers are allowing 193.4 yards per game – ninth-best in the league – compared to 297.4 yards at this point a year ago.

The defense has also forced opponents to go three-and-out on 28.6% of its drives, the highest percentage since 2010.

James believes the Chargers can play even better defense for the rest of the season.

“Every week we go there (checked off) because we know we’re leaving out the plays, and some technical things we can get better at to be dominant. That’s just what we’re trying to do,” he said.

What works

The deep passing game. Herbert was 4 of 6 on passes of at least 20 air yards for 156 yards and a touchdown. It is the first time in Herbert’s career that he has had two consecutive games with at least four deep ball completions.

What needs help

Extra points. Cameron Dicker has made 58 consecutive field goals inside 50 yards, the second-longest streak since 1991, but he is one of five kickers who have missed two extra points this season.

Stock up

RT Joe Alt. According to the league’s Next Gen Stats, the rookie allowed no pressure on his 38 pass-blocking snaps. That’s tied for the most snaps without pressure allowed by a rookie tackle over the past three seasons.

Stock down

LG Zion Johnson. He struggled in pass protection and was beaten on two of the three times Herbert was sacked.

Injuries

LB Joey Bosa returned after missing three games with a glute strain and played 20 snaps before appearing to have an ankle injury. …CB Kristian Fulton aggravated a hamstring injury.

Key numbers

535 — Rushing yards from JK Dobbins, the best start by a Chargers running back since Melvin Gordon had 579 yards in seven games in 2018.

4 — Touchdowns by Ladd McConkey, third among starting receivers. McConkey was the first Chargers rookie wideout since Seyi Ajirotutu in 2010 with more than 100 yards receiving and two touchdowns in a game.

What’s next

The Chargers have won four straight against the Browns (2-5), including their last two trips to Cleveland. It will be the third of five straight games for Los Angeles against teams with current losing records.