Chargers satisfied but not satisfied with defensive play so far this season

EL SEGUNDO — The Chargers entered Week 9 of the 18-week season with the stingiest defense in the NFLgiving up a paltry average of 13 points per game. They are eighth in net yards allowed, 11th in net rushing yards allowed, ninth in net passing yards allowed and 13th in yards allowed per play.

Surprised?

No, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter wasn’t surprised.

Satisfied?

Yes, Minter was satisfied.

Satisfied?

No, Minter was not satisfied.

“Just the way these guys have worked and played together and done that, really, since April I felt like we had a chance to be a good unit,” Minter said Thursday. “So things went well sometimes. There have been times when boys have had to step in and play roles. The preparation of the younger plays was good. The coaches have done a great job with all the players available.”

But …

“It’s a week-to-week competition,” Minter added, “so we don’t really sit still and say, ‘Okay, here we are now.’ What we have to do this week is try to beat the Cleveland Browns. You’re only as good as your last time out, and they’re coming off their best performance of the season with the personnel change there (with Jameis Winston at quarterback). It is a great challenge, which we are excited about.”

Okay, but what do you really think?

“Just like how we play,” Minter said.

Minter wasn’t the only one to praise the defense while still expecting more from it.

“I’m doing some cool things,” outside linebacker Khalil Mack said, “but we just have to build on that and pile on that and try to be even more dominant. Just from the schedules, to the mentality, to everyone holding each other accountable… I think that’s been huge for us.”

Safety Derwin James Jr. said: “I feel like we’re in a good spot, but we’re definitely not where we want to be as a defense. Nowhere near where we want to be. We work every week to get better. Actually every day to get better. That’s just what we’re trying to do.”

The chargers offense has benefited of the defense’s success and took full advantage of the league’s less-than-stellar rankings. The Chargers are 24th in points per game (18.9), 23rd in net yards per game, 20th in net rushing yards, 24th in net passing yards and 20th in yards per game.

In most respects, the Chargers’ defense has lightened the burden on the offense.

“I’ve always valued our defense,” Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said. “We have always had very talented players. We had a great plan. This year it was fun to watch. They forced a lot of turnovers and made big stops on third downs. I have always had high regard for our defense.

“As long as they do that (limit opposing offenses to two touchdowns or less), it’s up to us (the offense) to be able to convert on third downs and score points in the red zone. It makes our job a lot easier to have a defense like that, where it’s a field position battle.”

The Chargers didn’t exactly do that suffocate the saints of New Orleans during a 26-8 win last Sunday. The Chargers went into “bend but don’t break” mode, giving up 366 total yards, including 249 yards passing. Most of that came on drives late in the first half and late in the game.

It certainly wasn’t ideal, but the Chargers’ defense only yielded two field goals.

It also gives the Chargers (4-3) something to chase on Sunday when they face Winston, with Nick Chubb and the Browns (2-6) in Cleveland.

“At the end of the day you’re trying to prevent a team from scoring,” Minter said. “For me there is a fine line of play where you always take away yards and expose yourself to potentially big plays and always play tight man-to-man. You could really suffocate some teams and you’d be one play away from a one-and-one on the outside and a 60-yard touchdown. I think there is a balance there.”

Originally published: October 31, 2024 at 5:35 PM PDT