Tag: ladd mcconkey

3 bold predictions for Chargers in Week 9 vs. Browns

The Chargers travel to Cleveland for a big AFC game that could play a decisive role in the postseason down the road.

If the Chargers want a legitimate shot at the postseason, they will have to start reeling off consecutive victories. There’s no better chance to do so than this weekend against a fellow AFC squad in the Browns.

Despite being on the road in Cleveland, Los Angeles is a 1.5-point favorite in Week 9. Without further ado, here are some bold predictions for this weekend’s matchup.

Ladd McConkey records his second consecutive 100+ yard game

No Charger had a 100+ yard receiving game until Week 8. That is until McConkey racked up a career-high 111 receiving yards against the Saints. The rookie continues to improve each passing week, and he’s established himself as Justin Herbert’s favorite weapon. In Week 9, McConkey should be able to take advantage of the Browns in the slot. Their best cornerback, Denzel Ward, primarily resides on the outside. Without many true threats on the outside, expect the Bolts to continue feeding McConkey a heavy dose of targets.

Chargers win the turnover battle by 2+

The Browns are one of the worst teams in the NFL regarding turnover margin. They are tied for 25th with a -4 turnover differential, albeit most of these numbers did come with Deshaun Watson at quarterback. On the flip side, the Chargers rank fifth with a margin of +6. It’s been a large reason why they have a winning record. Herbert’s ability to protect the football has been the main contributor to the turnover differential, as he has thrown just one interception in 196 pass attempts this season.

Despite appearing in just 99 games in his career, Jameis Winston ranks eighth amongst active quarterbacks in interceptions with 99. His interception rate is the highest among the top-25 in interception leaders. While he remains a better option than Watson, the Chargers defense should be able to take advantage of his aggressive playstyle.

Defense racks up 4+ sacks

No team in the NFL has given up more sacks in 2024 than the Cleveland Browns. They’ve given up six more sacks (37) than the next team in line. Couple that with the fact that Joey Bosa seems likely to play, and this prediction doesn’t even feel all that bold. Khalil Mack has been tremendous this season, so I expect him to get into that action as well.

Statistical Breakdown: How the Chargers and Browns stack up before Week 9 game

Here’s how the Chargers and Browns stack up statistically ahead of Sunday’s matchup.

The Chargers and Browns are set to square off this upcoming Sunday.

Here’s how Los Angeles and Cleveland stack up statistically ahead of the Week 9 matchup:

Offense

Category Chargers Browns
Points per game 18.9 ppg (24th) 17.3 ppg (27th)
Passing offense 194.0 ypg (24th) 179.8 ypg (29th)
Rushing offense 117.1 ypg (20th) 92.5 ypg (27th)
Total offense 311.1 ypg (23rd) 272.3 ypg (31st)
3rd down conversions 40.40% (9th) 27.68% (32nd)
Red zone scoring 43.75% (30th) 61.54% (9th)
Sacks allowed 18 (14th) 37 (32nd)
Turnovers 4 (3rd) 9 (18th)

Defense

Category Chargers Browns
Points allowed 13.0 ppg (1st) 23.3 ppg (18th)
Passing defense 193.4 ypg (9th) 200.6 ypg (12th)
Rushing defense 112.0 ypg (11th) 125.9 ypg (17th)
Total defense 305.4 ypg (8th) 326.5 ypg (14th)
3rd down conversions 32.22% (5th) 31.07% (3rd)
Red zone defense 41.67% (4th) 58.33% (18th)
Sacks 18 (18th) 21 (9th)
Takeaways 10 (14th) 5 (26th)

 

Chargers’ first injury report ahead of Week 9 vs. Browns

Check in on the health of the Chargers heading into their Week 9 matchup with the Browns

The Chargers had their first practice on Wednesday in preparation for the Week 9 game against the Browns.

Los Angeles had four non-participants: Tight end Will Dissly (shoulder), cornerback Kristian Fulton (hamstring), linebacker Denzel Perryman (toe) and tight end Stone Smartt (ankle).

Edge defender Joey Bosa (hip), wide receiver D.J. Chark (groin), WR Derius Davis (hamstring), defensive lineman Morgan Fox (groin), TE Hayden Hurst (groin), WR Quentin Johnston (ankle), EDGE Khalil Mack (non-injury related), WR Ladd McConkey (hip), WR Brenden Rice (shoulder) and CB Ja’Sir Taylor (fibula) were limited.

The Chargers are hopeful Chark and Johnston can play this weekend. Chark has yet to make his debut with the team and Johnston has missed the last two games.

Jim Harbaugh compares Ladd McConkey to NFL great

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh compares Georgia rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey to an all-time NFL great

Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Ladd McConkey received high praise from Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, who compares McConkey to NFL legend Steve Smith.

Smith, who primarily played for the Carolina Panthers over his 16-year NFL career, is a tough, quick wide receiver. Smith was quite productive and recorded 1,031 receptions for 14,731 receiving yards and 81 touchdowns in the NFL. Smith is 5-foot-9 and 195-pounds and overcame his size to be one of the top receivers in the NFL during the 2000s.

“I watch the film of Ladd and he reminds me of Steve Smith in the way he goes up for one of those contested balls. They both have the ability to almost look one way and then catch it a few feet the other way,” Harbaugh said.

McConkey is a polish route runner and is coming off the best game of his career. The second round 2024 NFL draft pick has a team-high 30 receptions for 376 yards and four touchdowns this season. He already looks like the Chargers’ top wide receiver.

“It’s really subtle, it’s really good and we saw him do it again in this game (against the Saints),” continued Harbaugh. “He’s done it in prior games. I tried to put my finger on it, ‘What is he doing?’ and that’s who he reminded me of, Steve Smith.”

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Harbaugh spent the final year of his NFL career in Carolina with Steve Smith, who was just beginning his storied career. If Ladd McConkey’s NFL career ends up being similar to Smith, then he has a chance to make the Hall of Fame. However, there’s a long way to go for the rookie.

Where the Chargers rank statistically after Week 8

The Chargers defense continues to be one of the best in the NFL

The Chargers improved to 4-3 after beating the Saints in Week 8.

Los Angeles’ passing offense is starting to come alive, while the defense continues to be one of the best units in the league.

With Week 9 coming up, how do the Bolts compare to the rest of the NFL? Here is where Los Angeles ranks:

Offense

Category Stat Rank
Points per game 18.9 ppg 24th
Passing offense 194.0 ypg 24th
Rushing offense 117.1 ypg 20th
Total offense 311.1 ypg 23rd
3rd down conversions 40.40% 9th
Red zone scoring 43.75% 30th
Sacks allowed 18 14th
Turnovers 4 3rd

Defense

Category Stat Rank
Points allowed 13.0 ppg 1st
Passing defense 193.4 ypg 9th
Rushing defense 112.0 ypg 11th
Total defense 305.4 ypg 8th
3rd down conversions 32.22% 5th
Red zone defense 41.67% 4th
Sacks 18 18th
Takeaways 10 14th

 

Chargers rise in NFL power rankings after Week 8 win over Saints

Find out where the Chargers stand in the national eye after Week 8

The Chargers got back over .500 after defeating the Saints last Sunday.

After Week 8, let’s see where Los Angeles stands in NFL power rankings:

USA Today: 18 (Previous: 19)

“They’re getting nice returns from their rookie class. Per Next Gen Stats, RT Joe Alt didn’t concede one pressure on 38 pass-blocking plays Sunday, tied for the best showing by a rook in the past three seasons. Meanwhile WR Ladd McConkey’s six-catch, 111-yard, two-TD game might have cemented him as QB Justin Herbert’s primary target for years to come. McConkey’s 100-yard day was the first by a Bolts rookie in 11 years.”

NFL: 15 (Previous: 17)

“The Chargers offense remains a work in progress. It broke an eight-quarter TD-less streak and the wide receivers finally broke out, with Ladd McConkey catching two second-half scoring passes. Oh, and it was their fifth turnover-free game this season. But there were too many pass-protection breakdowns to call it a good day offensively, even while scoring a season-high 26 points. Justin Herbert was sacked three times and hit four more, with every starting lineman other than rookie Joe Alt allowing multiple pressures. Herbert also escaped a few would-be sacks, turning one into a career-best 38-yard scramble, but he needs better protection. The eight points the Chargers’ defense allowed Sunday were their second-fewest on the season, and c’s unit has yet to give up more than 20, so this one fit the theme of previous victories. Right now, keeping Herbert healthy feels like the most overwhelming concern.”

ESPN: 17 (Previous: 18)

Best offseason addition: Running back J.K. Dobbins

“After the Chargers’ win over the Saints, coach Jim Harbaugh used his news conference to campaign for Dobbins as the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. “If I am the first to nominate him, then so be it,” Harbaugh said. After an Achilles tear ended Dobbins’ season in Week 1 last year, he has been one of the league’s best running backs. He is sixth in the NFL in rushing yards per game (76.4) and is tied for sixth in rushes of 10-plus yards (14).”

CBS Sports: 16 (Previous: 20)

“At 4-3, the defense has really come up big for this group. The good thing about the offense is Justin Herbert is starting to throw it around more.”

Sports Illustrated: 13 (Previous: 19)

“The Chargers’ post-Brandon Staley identity was certainly not one I would have predicted. Sans Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, the stars of this team are the drone-like Ladd McConkey and the absolutely horrifying 300-pound fullback, Scott Matlock. Staley knew this team had to be tougher but struggled to find the right fits for these pieces. The Chargers are not perfect but they’re starting to make some sense. This week’s Browns matchup, with the surging Broncos also facing a difficult test, is quietly fascinating.”

Bleacher Report: 15 (Previous: 20)

“The Chargers offense is a different animal when it can actually stretch the field with wide receivers. They were able to do that with a healthy McConkey on Sunday, and I expect to see continued offensive growth once Quentin Johnston (ankle) returns to the lineup. If head coach Jim Harbaugh can marry even an average offense to the league’s top-ranked scoring defense, Los Angeles should be relevant over the second half of the season.”

“However, I still believe L.A. is a year away from being a contender. The closest thing the Chargers have to a quality win has come against the Broncos—and the jury is still very much out on Denver. Still, the Chargers might not need to be great to slip into the postseason. They’ll have a chance to pad their record with upcoming games against the Browns, Titans and Bengals.”

Jim Harbaugh compares Ladd McConkey to NFL great

Ladd McConkey was compared to a five-time Pro Bowler.

Ladd McConkey dazzled in the Chargers’ win over the Saints, showing the type of wide receiver he can be at this level.

To Jim Harbaugh, McConkey’s performance was reminiscent of one of the best wideouts to play the game, comparing him to five-time Pro Bowler Steve Smith.

“I watch the film of Ladd and he reminds me of Steve Smith in the way he goes up for one of those contested balls,” Harbaugh said. “They both have the ability to almost look one way and then catch it a few feet the other way.

“It’s really subtle, it’s really good and we saw him do it again in this game,” Harbaugh added. “He’s done it in prior games. I tried to put my finger on it, ‘What is he doing?’ and that’s who he reminded me of, Steve Smith.”

Harbaugh ended his playing career with the Panthers in 2001, the same year Smith was on the team.

The comparison between the two is accurate because like Smith, McConkey possesses vertical leap and my-ball mentality to high-point contested passes, along with being great after the catch.

Game Balls: 5 standouts from Chargers’ blowout Week 8 victory over Saints

Rookie Ladd McConkey had the best game of his young career in the Chargers’ 18-point win in Week 8.

The Chargers’ roller coaster season continued on Sunday in a dominant 26-8 victory. Simply put, Jim Harbaugh’s squad took care of a depleted Saints team that has now lost six consecutive games.

Plenty of players stood out in the decisive victory that improved the Chargers to 4-3. With that, here are the five that shined above the rest on Sunday:

QB Justin Herbert

Once again, No. 10 delivered an outstanding performance. In two games since the bye now, Herbert has thrown for 628 yards and two touchdowns without turning the ball over. He’s now put together his two best performances of the season in consecutive weeks, and it’s clear that the bye week helped him get healthy. Herbert even ran for 49 yards on Sunday, his most in a game since Week 10 of last season. With him healthy, this team suddenly has a much higher ceiling.

WR Ladd McConkey

There’s no doubt as to who the star of the game was. McConkey racked up career bests in catches (6), receiving yards (111), and touchdowns (2). The former Georgia product continues to stand out as Los Angeles’ best wideout, and he continues to get better each and every week. In seven career games, he now has 376 receiving yards.

EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu

It was a rough Week 7 performance for Tuipulotu, but he responded in a big way this weekend. He racked up his first sack of the season in addition to a tackle for loss and pass deflection. Not only was he exceptional as a pass rusher, but he contributed quite well in the run game as well.

CB Ja’Sir Taylor

The Chargers’ cornerback room has been banged up this season, but several guys have stepped up. Taylor was just the latest example of this in Week 8, as he was the Chargers’ best cornerback without a doubt. The 2022 sixth-rounder was exceptional in coverage all day, which included two pass breakups.

P J.K. Scott

Special teams don’t get recognized enough, and Scott was massive in this game. On six attempts, Scott averaged over 57 yards per punt, which included a long of 67 yards. He had three punts downed inside the 20-yard line, and it allowed the Chargers to control field position on Sunday.

Ladd McConkey breakout performance fuels Chargers to victory over Saints: ‘It’s what we’ve been needing’

Justin Herbert’s top wide receiver has finally arrived.

The connection between Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey had been building for the past couple of months, but it was only a matter of time before their true potential was unlocked.

That came on Sunday in the Chargers’ win over the Saints. McConkey finished the game with 111 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions.

McConkey is the first Chargers rookie to record a 100-yard receiving game since Keenan Allen did it in the 2013 season.

McConkey’s big day included a massive 60-yard score as he leaped, caught the jump ball and scampered inside into the end zone. The explosive scoring play is the element the wide receiver room has been missing this season.

“It’s what we needed,” Jim Harbaugh said of McConkey’s touchdown. “It’s what we’ve been needing.”

Before this game, McConkey was primarily an asset in the short and intermediate parts of the field, especially on third downs.

“He’s a complete receiver,” Herbert said. “To have that short game, those intermediate routes, he’s been so good at it, especially on third down. And now you open up some of those go balls that you got to respect. And for him to be able to line up anywhere, inside, outside, we got a true ballplayer on our hands.”

There had been talks about the Chargers potentially a wideout before the trade deadline. However, McConkey’s performance likely dispelled that narrative, showing the makeup of a true No. 1 option.

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 8 win over Saints

Spotlighting Pro Football Focus’ highest and lowest-graded Chargers players from the win over the Saints.

In Week 8, the Chargers defeated the Saints, 26-8.

En route to victory, there were some standout performers and others who did not contribute as much.

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

Top 5 Offense

QB Justin Herbert — 95.3

WR Ladd McConkey — 87.9

OT Rashawn Slater — 87.6

WR Jalen Reagor — 80.3

OT Joe Alt — 70.3

Top 5 Defense

EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu — 86.4

CB Ja’Sir Taylor — 85.2

LB Denzel Perryman — 84.2

DT Teair Tart — 77.7

S Elijah Molden — 75.3

Bottom 5 Offense

TE Eric Tomlinson — 44.2

WR Simi Fehoko — 49.4

OL Bradley Bozeman — 51.6

OL Zion Johnson — 55.9

WR Josh Palmer — 57.4

Bottom 5 Defense

DT Otito Ogbonnia — 43.2

S Alohi Gilman — 46.4

S Derwin James — 48.9

EDGE Bud Dupree — 51.7

LB Daiyan Henley — 54.1