Sitting with an unexpected 4-7 record, there’s a lot you can list for the reasons why the Chargers are currently in the position that they’re in heading into the 13th week of the season.
Injuries, a coaching change, bad quarterback play are atop of the list. But one thing that hasn’t been in discussion that linebacker Thomas Davis feels like deserves the blame for the team’s losses is the defense.
“Our record says we haven’t played well enough. That’s the ultimate thing that determines how we’ve played as a defense. The offense has put up enough points for us to be more successful,” Davis said, per Los Angeles Times’ Jeff Miller.
“We just haven’t figured it out for four quarters. We’ve played extremely well at times, and other times we’ve been inconsistent. If we do a better job in certain situations, our record could be much, much better.”
In the 17 years that Davis has been playing in the NFL, he has established himself as a leader, which is something Los Angeles coveted him for when making the decision to bring him onboard.
With the leadership skills that he possesses, Davis isn’t going to go around throwing anyone under the bus. The only person he’s going to blame is himself and the side of the football he plays on.
In reality, the defense hasn’t been the issue for their seven losses. The Chargers defense ranks No. 5 in points allowed, fourth in passing yards given up and tied for fifth in big plays allowed this season.
Meanwhile, on the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Philip Rivers has tossed 14 interceptions through 11 games and has been unable to get his team points on game-winning or tying drives.
Coach Anthony Lynn says it’s not just Rivers’ fault that the team is 4-7. Lynn said he evaluated everyone during the bye week, and said it’s on everyone.
Los Angeles will look to get finish the season on a strong note starting against the Broncos this Sunday. The team is fresh off a bye and will get some reinforcements with safeties Derwin James and Adrian Phillips back, as well as potentially offensive tackles Russell Okung and Sam Tevi.
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