Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley is looking to get his team their first playoff win since 2018 in their Wild Card matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars this weekend.
In his comments to the media, he made it clear that Jaguars running back Travis Etienne will be a significant threat to his defense in the game and told reporters about the respect he has for his skillset.
“[Travis] Etienne is a really good back,” Staley said. “I think you have seen it all season long. Had a lot of respect for him coming out. He is a complete back. I think that is what he has shown.
He can run between the tackles, outside on the perimeter. He is a good pass-catcher. He does a good job in pass protection, for a young player. He was a high pick in the first round, and you can see all of that talent on display, especially as the season progressed. He has been one of the keys, I think, for their football team, playing at a high level down the stretch.”
Etienne, the second-year back, finished the season with 1,121 rushing yards, with an average of 5.1 yards per rush attempt and five touchdowns.
Etienne does his most damage outside the tackles, particularly on the left side, where he averages 8.2 yards per carry (5.35 yards after contact per attempt) and has seven carries over ten yards.
The Chargers have been stronger against the run in recent weeks, but they showed to be vulnerable to it in the loss against the Broncos, where they allowed 205 rushing yards.
Therefore, the defense must be stout at the point of attack and seal edges up front in the trenches, and second and third-level defenders must take proper angles to the football and wrap up and tackle in the open field.
While Etienne will be a concern for the Chargers’ coaching staff heading into this matchup, Jacksonville’s well-rounded offense has plenty of other weapons to make Los Angeles pay if they are given an opening.