EL SEGUNDO — The Chargers headed into Week 9 of the 18-week season with the NFL’s stingiest defense, giving up a puny 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.
Pleased?
Yes, Minter was pleased.
Satisfied?
No, Minter was not satisfied.
“Just the way that these guys have worked and bought in 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 have gone good at times. There have been times where guys have had to step in and play roles. The preparation of the younger plays has been good. The coaches have done a great job with all the players available.”
But …
“It’s a week-to-week league,” Minter added, “so we don’t really sit around and go, ‘OK, here’s where we’re at right now.’ What we’ve got 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’s a great challenge, one we’re excited about.”
OK, but what do you really think?
“Like how we’re playing,” Minter said.
Minter wasn’t alone in praising the defense while still expecting more from it.
“Doing some cool things,” outside linebacker Khalil Mack said, “but just need to build on that and stack on that and try to be even more dominant. Just from schematics, to the mindset, to just everybody holding each other accountable … I feel that’s been huge for us.”
Said safety Derwin James Jr.: “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’re working every week to get better. Every day, as a matter of fact, to get better. We’re just trying to do that.”
The Chargers’ offense has benefitted from the defense’s success, making the most of less-than-stellar league 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 play.
In most regards, the Chargers’ defense has eased the offense’s burden.
“I’ve always thought highly of our defense,” Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said. “We’ve always had very talented players. We’ve had a great scheme. It’s been fun to watch this year. They’ve forced a lot of turnovers, come up with big stops on third downs. I’ve always thought very highly of our defense.
“As long as they’re doing that (limiting opposing offenses to two touchdowns or less), it’s on 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 suffocate the New Orleans Saints during a 26-8 victory this past Sunday. The Chargers shifted into bend-but-don’t-break mode, giving up 366 total yards, including 249 yards passing. Most of it came on drives late in the first half and late in the game.
It certainly wasn’t ideal, but the Chargers’ defense yielded only two field goals.
It also gives the Chargers (4-3) something to chase Sunday when facing Winston, running back Nick Chubb and the Browns (2-6) in Cleveland.
“Ultimately, you’re trying to keep a team from scoring,” Minter said. “To me, there’s a fine line of playing to always take away yards and exposing yourself to potentially big plays and always playing tight man-to-man. You could really smother some teams and you’d be one play away from a one-on-one on the outside and a 60-yard touchdown. I think there’s a balance there.”
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