Over the past two weeks, the Chargers’ defense has played at a high level.
Believe it or not, this has been without star safety Derwin James on the field. James has missed the past two games with a quad issue.
They rank third in defensive DVOA in that timeframe.
The most significant factor in the turnaround is head coach Brandon Staley. Staley put together effective game plans and groupings for the Dolphins and Titans, who are stylistically opposite in terms of offensive schemes.
Against Miami’s prolific passing attack, Staley utilized a heavy amount of late movement/disguise and press coverage to disrupt the timing.
And against Tennessee and the physicality of running back Derrick Henry, they were stout and disciplined in the trenches and second and third-level defenders tackled in open space.
After the season-ending injuries to Austin Johnson, Christian Covington and Otito Ogbonnia, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Breiden Fehoko and Morgan Fox have been integral in the improvement against the run.
The pass rush is piecing together after stalling following the groin injury to Joey Bosa. The pressure from Khalil Mack, Fox and Kyle Van Noy, in addition to the designed blitzes, has been vital to the pass defense.
On the back end, the coverage has been strong. Most notably, Michael Davis, who is playing excellent football. Davis has forced ten incompletions, more than any other cornerback in the league since Week 9.
Additionally, Nasir Adderley, Alohi Gilman and rookie Ja’Sir Taylor have come into their own and taken advantage of their opportunities.
This has also led to a drastic improvement in their third-down defense. In the last two games, the Chargers allowed just six conversions on 22 third-down attempts, which is a 27% conversion rate.
With just three games remaining and on the cusp of the playoffs, Los Angeles’ is finding its stride on the defensive side of the ball at the right time.
Combine the prolific play from the past two weeks and getting James and potentially Bosa back from their perspective injuries, and the Bolts could pose a real threat in postseason play.
