EL SEGUNDO — Chargers head into Week 9 of 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 net yards allowed per play.
Surprised?
No, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter wasn’t surprised.
Happy?
Yes, Minter was happy.
Satisfied?
No, Minter was not satisfied.
“Just the way these guys worked and bought in and played together and did that, really, since April, I felt like we had a chance to be a good unit,” Minter said Thursday. “So things have gone well at times. There were times when guys had to step up and play a role. The preparation of the young pieces was good. The coaches did a great job with all the players available.
But …
“It’s a week-to-week league,” Minter added, “so we don’t really sit back and say, ‘OK, here’s where we are right now.’ What we need to do this week is try to beat the Cleveland Browns You’re as good as you were last time out, and they’re coming off their best performance of the season with the personnel change (with Jameis Winston). at quarterback). It’s a big challenge, a challenge that excites us.
OK, but what do you really think?
“It’s like the way we play,” Minter said.
Minter wasn’t the only one praising the defense while expecting more.
“I’m doing some cool things,” outside linebacker Khalil Mack said, “but you just have to build on that, stack that and try to be even more dominant. Whether it’s the schemes, the state of mind, everyone’s responsibility… I think it was huge for us.
Safety Derwin James Jr. said, “I feel like we’re in a good position, but we’re definitely not where we want to be as a defense. Far from where we want to be. We work every week to improve. Every day, in fact, to get better. We’re just trying to do that.
Chargers the infringement benefited of defensive success, making the most of a less-than-stellar championship standings. 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 net yards per play.
In many ways, the Chargers’ defense has eased the burden on the offense.
“I’ve always had a high opinion of our defense,” Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said. “We have always had very talented players. We had a great project. It was fun to watch this year. They forced a lot of turnovers and made some big stops on third downs. I have always had a very high opinion of our defense.
“As long as they do that (limiting opposing offenses to two touchdowns or less), it’s on us (the offense) to be able to convert 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 haven’t exactly smother the New Orleans Saints in a 26-8 victory last Sunday. The Chargers went into bend-but-don’t-break mode, giving up 366 total yards, including 249 passing yards. Most came on drives late in the first half and late in the game.
It certainly wasn’t ideal, but the Chargers defense only gave up two field goals.
It also gives the Chargers (4-3) something to pursue Sunday against Winston, running back Nick Chubb and the Browns (2-6) in Cleveland.
“At the end of the day, you’re trying to stop a team from scoring,” Minter said. “To me, there’s a fine line of play that is always gaining yards, exposing yourself to potentially big plays and always playing tight man-to-man. You could really suffocate some teams and you’d be one play away from a faceoff on the outside and a 60-yard touchdown. I think there’s a balance there.
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