Key takeaways from first half of Chargers vs. Jaguars

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out what stood out in the first half of the Chargers and Jaguars’ Week 14 matchup.

The Los Angeles Chargers lead the Jacksonville Jaguars at the halfway mark, 24-3.

Here are some key takeaways from the first half of play:

  • The Chargers knew that the Jaguars run defense ranks near the bottom of the league and they have done a fine job exploiting it. Going to them early on, running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler are currently averaging 10.7 yards per carry.
  • Quarterback Philip Rivers is 12-of-17 passing for 152 yards and a touchdown, with the majority of his success coming from short passes that turned into big gains. Rivers took two shots deep to tight end Hunter Henry and wide receiver Jalen Guyton, but one was slightly overthrown and the other was dropped.
  • The offensive play-calling has brilliant. The Chargers are making an effort to find the running backs in space in the passing game today and they’ve been getting creative to exploit the backend of the Jaguars defense. This is something that we addressed how they need to fix their red zone woes and it’s working as they’re 2 for 2.
  • Wide receiver Keenan Allen leads the team with three receptions for 60 yards.

  • You can’t ask for a better performance from the defense, holding the Jags to only three points. The only thing that’s been killing them is missed tackles at the first and second levels.
  • Linebacker Drue Tranquill is leading the team with five tackles. Defensive end Joey Bosa posted a sack and a tackle for loss. Safety Derwin James has a pass defended.

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