While quarterback Justin Herbert and coach Jim Harbaugh draw attention to the Los Angeles Chargers, coordinator Jesse Minter’s turnaround of the defense has gone unnoticed.
Sunday’s 26-8 victory over the New Orleans Saints marked the second time this season the defense failed to allow a touchdown. It’s the first time since 2013 that the Bolts (4-3) haven’t allowed a touchdown in two of their first seven games.
The unit allows a league-low 13 points per game. He allowed just nine touchdowns, the second-lowest total in franchise history through seven games.
“It sometimes feels like we have the script. It’s like we’re prepared for whatever they run,” safety Derwin James said after Sunday’s game. “We just follow our rules. We play fast, we just get to the ball and don’t think too much. You see the results we get.
Minter was defensive coordinator for two years at the University of Michigan and was one of nine assistants to join 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 certain.
New Orleans was able to run a play with no time on the clock after a roughing the passer penalty. The Saints were unable to convert when Jake Haener’s pass to Chris Olave was incomplete.
“It meant something. It doesn’t make sense, 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’re 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. Even though the shutouts in the end zone came against teams with a total of three wins, Harbaugh isn’t one to diminish the accomplishments.
“We play really good defense and the competition has been good,” Harbaugh said Monday.
The most significant improvement in defense has been 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 also forced opponents into threes on 28.6% of its drives, its highest percentage since 2010.
James believes the Chargers can play even better defense the rest of the season.
“Every week we go in there (checked) because we know these are the plays we leave out there, and some technical things we can improve on to be dominant. We’re just trying to do that,” he said.
What works
The deep passing game. Herbert was 4 of 6 on passes of at least 20 yards passing for 156 yards and a touchdown. This is the first time in Herbert’s career that he has two consecutive games with at least four assists on deep balls.
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 to miss two extra points this season.
Store
RT Joe Alt. The rookie didn’t allow any pressure on any of his 38 pass-blocking snaps, according to the league’s Next Gen stats. That’s tied for the most no-pressure snaps allowed by a rookie tackle over the last three seasons.
Stock falling
LG Zion Johnson. He struggled in pass protection and was beaten twice out 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 injure his ankle. … CB Kristian Fulton aggravated a hamstring injury.
Key figures
535 — JK Dobbins rushing yards, 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 rookie receivers. McConkey was the first Chargers rookie since Seyi Ajirotutu in 2010 with over 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a game.
What’s next
The Chargers have won four in a row against the Browns (2-5), including their last two trips to Cleveland. This will be Los Angeles’ third of five straight games against teams that currently have losing records.
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