In week nine, The Los Angeles Chargers faced off against the New York Jets and won handily 27-6. This was to no thanks to the Chargers offense, who put up under 200 total offensive yards. So, what went wrong with this Chargers Offense and where can they improve?
Chargers vs Jets Offensive Struggles
As mentioned before, the Chargers did not even put up 200 yards against the now 4-4 New York Jets. However, this is not a big surprise as the Jets boast one of the best defenses in the entire league, with a dominant defensive line and a very strong secondary. This combined with the Chargers showing some sluggish offensive moments in their last few games before week nine, the Bolts seemed bound to have a bad offensive game.
Previous to the Jets game, the Chargers had major second-half offensive struggles, putting up only six points second-half points on the weak Bears defense. The trend continues as the Chargers did not even score a single point in the second half against the Chiefs. So, why is this extremely talented Chargers offense struggling to put points up on the board?
The Chargers have not been the same since Justin Herbert’s finger injury, and whether it is directly correlated or not, it is the mark where the Chargers offense dipped in production. The Chargers also have suffered major attrition on the offensive side of the ball, losing star receiver Mike Williams, the offensive line leader, in center, Corey Linsley, and key playmaker, Joshua Palmer.
Injuries will hamper any team’s production, but that is not solely the main reason behind the offensive struggles. This lies in personnel choices, offensive playcalling, and the play of certain offensive groups. The Chargers will have to go toe-to-toe with one of the league’s best offenses in the Detroit Lions on Sunday, and to win this game, they need to improve offensively.
How Can The Chargers Offense Improve to be Ready to Compete With the Dominant Detroit Lions
The Blueprint for an Offensive Improvement:
Better Protection Against Stunts
All football fans have heard the saying “It all starts up front” when it comes to building a successful team, whether it is offense or defense. The trenches are crucial, and the Chargers offense is lacking good communication amongst this offensive line group. The Chargers desperately miss their Center, Corey Linsley, and his ability to call protections and set up success for the young linemen around him.
The Chargers have a very young offensive line, and the lack of communication when passing off stunts to each other is apparent. Last year’s sixth-round selection, Jamaree Salyer was a standout tackle in replacement of Rashawn Slater last season and was asked to move to the other side, and inside to right guard. He has not looked the same and has struggled to identify the end man looping back inside to Salyer’s gap. His running mate, right tackle, Trey Pipkins also struggles to pick up and communicate against stunts, which leads to a disastrous right side of the offensive line in terms of pass protection, though both of these linemen are very talented and have shown to play respectable in the past.
Without communication amongst each other, defenses will continue to get free rushers right into Justin Herbert’s lap unblocked, and the Chargers offense will continue to struggle.
Setting up Individual Players for Success
The Chargers usually do a good job using their offensive playmakers to their strengths. Thus far under Kellen Moore, it seems as though some players get that treatment and others do not. Stars like Keenan Allen and Justin Herbert are able to adjust to any scheme but are being used in a way that suits their skill sets. Herbert gets to use his quick processing in the short game, and his arm strength in the deep passing game. Allen uses his dominant route running in the route combinations given, as well as being placed in varied alignments to catch defenses slipping.
On the other hand, a few key offensive playmakers have yet to be let off the leash, and truly show what they can do. The first that comes to mind is Chargers first-round selection, Quentin Johnston. Highly touted for his yards-after-catch ability, Johnston has yet to get really any run as a YAC threat. In the one play where he was targetted on a shallow crosser, he made a few defenders miss and made what could have been a 3-4 yard gain to a 12-yard connection. More manufactured space for the young rookie would a long way in not only his production but the Chargers’ offensive totals in general.
Another pass catcher with YAC ability is starting tight end, Gerald Everett. The former Seahawk has shown to be a very hard player to tackle and always fights his hardest after a reception. Everett currently ranks T-8th amongst tight ends for yards after catch per reception. Everett also is first amongst all tight ends in missed tackles forced.
The Chargers simply need to get the ball to Everett more, as being ranked 29th in tight-end targets is simply unacceptable, when you have a playmaker like #7.
Involve Joshua Kelley More
The last key to improvement for this Chargers offense is the most simple. The Bolts need to simply involve second-string running back, Joshua Kelley more. Kelley has been the best pure rusher on the team thus far, and it is not even close. The former UCLA product currently ranks 13th in yards after contact per attempt, 14th in yards per attempt, and fifth in explosive run rate. The Chargers run game has been pretty hit or miss with Austin Ekeler at the helm, and giving Kelley more carries would easily sure up some of those inconsistencies.
The Chargers need to lean into Joshua Kelley as a runner.
He leads Austin Ekeler in YPA, YCO/A, RYOE/ATT, explosive run rate, negative run rate (as in avoiding them), EPA/Rush, and success rate.
Not elite, but more efficient. You can't get stuck at 2&10, 2&9, 2&11 tonight.
— Tyler Schoon (@tylerjschoon) November 6, 2023
Outlook
All in all, the Chargers offense has been very up and down this season. To get out of this slump, the Chargers need to move on from shakey offensive performances against the Jets and the Chiefs. To do so, follow a simple blueprint of better stunt protection, more usage of your yards after catch threats, and lastly, involving Joshua Kelley more in your run game. The Chargers have a big test with the Detroit Lions this coming Sunday, and fans hope to see a more cohesive offensive plan.
Main Photo: Kevin R. Wexler-USA TODAY NETWORK
