Tag: Alex Erickson

4 matchups to watch in Chargers vs. Chiefs

Here are a few matchups to watch in Week 18.

The Chargers’ roster will go through a final audition on Sunday before the offseason begins, promising a complete overhaul of LA’s roster going into the 2024 season.

With a battle against the Chiefs’ backups on deck, here are a few matchups to watch in the contest.

4 things to watch in Chargers vs. Chiefs

Here are a few storylines to track in the game between the Chargers and Chiefs..

Los Angeles mercifully ends their season on Sunday afternoon, matching up with a Chiefs team locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs. Blaine Gabbert will start for Kansas City, his first start since 2018.

Here are a few storylines to track in the game.

Chargers WR Alex Erickson steps up in Keenan Allen, Joshua Palmer’s absence

Alex Erickson raised some eyebrows in the loss to the Broncos.

The Chargers were without top wide receivers Keenan Allen and Joshua Palmer on Sunday against the Broncos.

While they were sidelined with their respective injuries, Alex Erickson took advantage of his bigger role.

Erickson led the team in receiving with seven catches for 98 yards, marking the second-highest totals in those categories of his career.

“Alex is a really good player and I’m really grateful we have him,” Easton Stick said. “A veteran in that room I think is really good right now. Obviously, with our injuries, he’s kind of like that stabilizing, calming force, he can fix many things and he’s seen a lot of football.”

After standing out with the Jets during this past preseason, Erickson was signed to the Chargers practice squad ahead of the 2023 season. He remained there until he was signed to the active roster on Dec. 2.

Erickson made himself known in the Week 13 victory over the Patriots when he hauled a 23-yard reception to seal the game.

In five games, Erickson has 14 receptions on 24 targets for 203 yards and a touchdown.

If Allen or Palmer remain out for the season finale against the Chiefs, Erickson will have the opportunity to capitalize on that performance and garner some attention as he will be seeking a new contract this offseason.

Studs and duds from Chargers’ loss to the Broncos

Here is who stood out in the Chargers’ loss to the Broncos.

The Chargers have just one game left following a 16-9 loss to the Broncos. LA’s losing streak in Denver extends from four years to five as a result. Their last win at Mile High was in 2018.

Granted, this result didn’t matter for the team as they fell out of contention weeks ago. But as the slow trudge towards the finish line continues for the team, there were some performances that stood out positively and negatively.

As always, let’s talk about the Chargers’ studs and duds.

Stud: Alex Erickson

Erickson had 98 yards on seven receptions Sunday, proving to be a pretty consistent target for Easton Stick early on. Later in the postgame press conference, Stick gave Erickson credit for his veteran presence in the wide receiver room for helping out the younger guys.

Despite some low snap counts throughout the season, Erickson makes plays whenever his number is called. His 3rd and 11 reception against the Patriots iced the game for the Chargers.  He recorded a touchdown against the Raiders when the offense was largely shut out. In all seven of his games this season, he’s recorded at least one reception.

It was nice to see the veteran journeyman receiver rewarded for his efforts and contributing in what’s been a year of attrition for the Chargers’ receivers.

Dud: Austin Ekeler

It’s been the worst season of Ekeler’s career. Despite a stock-up week against Buffalo, his performance against the Broncos was largely the same as the rest of his 2023. Including against Denver, Ekeler has averaged less than four yards per carry in nine of his 13 games. He also recorded another fumble on the year.

Not to say Joshua Kelley or Isaiah Spiller would be better, as they haven’t exactly lit the world on fire with their play either. But I’m not understanding the Chargers’ motive for their backfield carries to be dominated by Ekeler in volume. With most of his season incentives out of reach production-wise, the attack has to be more balanced. The Chargers also should be investing this time into seeing what they have in Spiller for 2024.

From an efficiency standpoint, it’s better for the Chargers to employ more of a running back-by-committee approach as well. The first game against Denver at SoFi was the last time each running back got at least three carries. It’s also the last time the running back room averaged 4.0+ yards per carry as a group.

Stud: Derwin James

James went back to what appeared to be his more standard safety role this week after a relatively confusing last month of usage. James had been working out of the STAR role in the slot and that came to a head against Buffalo when he had one of his lowest snap counts of the season in a confusing rotation. Defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley admitted his usage was “a coaching error”.

James came up with two passes defended, a sack, and some big hits that ended plays early. He was flying around and had 12 total tackles, second on the team to only Eric Kendricks.

I’m not sure it was a perfect game that alleviated the Chargers of all questions regarding James going forward, but he looked more comfortable. It was a step in the right direction towards seeing what the plan is for the former All-Pro safety in 2024 under different leadership.

Dud: Quentin Johnston

This was never going to be an easy assignment for Johnston with Keenan Allen and Joshua Palmer out. It left him to effectively be the No. 1 wide receiver that Patrick Surtain would shadow. And well, it went about as one would expect. Six targets for Quentin Johnston, three receptions, 29 yards. Add another drop in there as well.

Since the firings of Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco, I’ve thought about Johnston a lot. He’s going to enter the 2024 campaign under a general manager and head coach who did not draft him. That could be said for many members of the 2022 and 2023 Chargers draft classes, but it’s notable with Johnston given his tumultuous rookie season.

If Johnston does not become a much more fluid athlete next year as a route runner and separator, it’s going to be tough to carve out a role in the league. He doesn’t have the surest hands and isn’t able to get contested catches like Mike Williams. To properly use him as a “yards-after-catch threat,” he has to be able to improve at the smaller nuances of playing NFL wideout first.

Stud: Khalil Mack

Mack eclipsed 100 sacks in his career after adding to his historic season against Denver. In addition to becoming one of just 19 players in NFL history to hit 100 sacks in 10 seasons, Mack’s 16 sacks in 2023 are a single-season career high.

Despite how south the season has gone for the Chargers, Mack has been one of the lone bright spots. Whether it’s a live viewing of the game or a film watch later, his nonstop effort and motor always pop off the screen. Mack also made key plays against the run game on Sunday.

The Chargers have to do whatever it takes to convince Mack to come back in 2024. They need his leadership and his production now more than ever in this transition period for the franchise.

Dud: Tackling

The last three years of the Chargers defense can be distilled down to one play against Denver.

Five, six, or seven missed tackles (whatever the official count is) on one play is just unacceptable in that scenario. And yet, no one is surprised. Third down has been marred by poor tackling, bad penalties, and ultimately gruesome execution.

You can take Staley off the Chargers, but you can’t take his imprint off of the remains of this defense in the meantime. Just a unit in dire need of a personnel and fundamentals overhaul.

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 17 loss to Broncos

Spotlighting Pro Football Focus’ highest and lowest-graded Chargers players from the loss to the Broncos.

In Week 17, the Chargers came up short against the Broncos 16-9.

Outcome aside, there were some standout performers and others that were duds.

With that being said, here are the best and worst performers from Sunday’s contest, according to Pro Football Focus’ player grades.

Note: To be more accurate, this is based on players who played at least 35% of the snaps on offense (65) or defense (69).

Top 5 Offense

WR Alex Erickson – 77.2

OT Trey Pipkins – 70.7

TE Stone Smartt – 70.4

OL Jordan McFadden – 69.5

QB Easton Stick – 66.7

Top 5 Defense

S Derwin James – 88.4

LB Eric Kendricks – 85.4

S Alohi Gilman – 74.9

LB Nick Niemann – 71.1

EDGE Khalil Mack – 71.0

Bottom 5 Offense

TE Gerald Everett – 59.8

OL Jamaree Salyer – 56.7

OL Brenden Jaimes – 54.1

WR Keelan Doss – 52.8

RB Austin Ekeler – 52.8

Bottom 5 Defense

CB Michael Davis – 50.2

EDGE Justin Hollins – 48.2

DT Austin Johnson – 44.4

DT Otito Ogbonnia – 34.9

DT Scott Matlock – 32.5

Social media reacts to Chargers’ 16-9 loss to Broncos

Here’s how social media reacted to the Chargers’ loss to the Broncos.

The Chargers extended their losing streak to four after falling short to the Broncos.

Here’s how social media reacted to Los Angeles’ loss to Denver:

Everything to know about Chargers’ loss to Broncos

The Chargers lost their fourth-straight game.

The Chargers lost their fourth-straight game, falling to the Broncos on Sunday 16-9.

To recap the Week 17 game between Los Angeles and Denver, here is everything to know.

Chargers WRs Keenan Allen, Joshua Palmer ruled out vs. Broncos

The Chargers will be without their top wideouts.

The Chargers will be without their top wide receivers as Keenan Allen and Joshua Palmer were ruled out for this Sunday’s contest against the Broncos.

Allen nor Palmer logged a single practice this past week, as they’re dealing with a heel injury and concussion, respectively.

Allen has missed the last three games with this injury. Before being sidelined, he was nearing career-high numbers, currently with 108 receptions, 1,243 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Palmer sustained a knee injury that kept him out for over a month. Upon returning, he came on strong in the absence of Allen, recording nine catches for 160 yards and a score in the last two games.

In nine games, Palmer has 32 receptions for 537 yards (16.8 yards per reception) and two scores.

With Allen and Palmer out, rookie Quentin Johnston, Jalen Guyton and Alex Erickson will be the team’s top wideouts.

Edge defender Joey Bosa is also out for this weekend’s contest.

Linebacker Kenneth Murray, linebacker Tanner Muse and defensive tackle Nick Williams are doubtful.

Tight end Nick Vannett, guard Zion Johnson and cornerback Deane Leonard are questionable.

A former Wisconsin Badger just scored his first NFL touchdown since 2017

A former Wisconsin Badger just scored his first NFL touchdown since 2017

Former Wisconsin wide receiver Alex Erickson is somehow still in the NFL. It’s year eight, and he just scored his first NFL touchdown in six years.

The former Badger was a lone bright spot during the Chargers’ 63-21 loss to the Raiders that resulted in both head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco. He caught a 13-yard touchdown from Easton Stick midway through the fourth quarter to cut the Chargers’ deficit to 49. As previously referred to, it was Erickson’s first NFL touchdown since November 19, 2017 — more than six years ago.

Here is Thursday night’s touchdown, followed by his last from 2017:

Erickson is up to 74 yards and one touchdown on 14 receptions in limited work this season. He began the year on the Chargers’ practice squad. Thanks to injuries and poor play, he seems to be firmly on the team’s active roster entering each week.

Chargers promote two players from practice squad

The Chargers announced the elevation of two practice squad players ahead of the Week 11 matchup vs. the Packers.

The Chargers announced the promotion of two practice squad players ahead of the Week 11 matchup against the Packers.

Los Angeles promoted wide receivers Terrell Bynum and Alex Erickson.

The moves come after Keenan Allen and Jalen Guyton being questionable for Sunday’s game.

Allen is dealing with an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder, while Guyton has an illness.

Bynum is an undrafted rookie out of USC. He finished his collegiate career with 1,093 receiving yards.

Erickson signed to the Chargers’ practice squad ahead of the 2023 season. He has played 80 games (14 starts) in five seasons, totaling 93 receptions, 1,086 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown.