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Where the Chargers rank statistically after Week 4

Here is how the Chargers compare statistically to the rest of the NFL after Week 4

The Chargers fell to 2-2 after losing to the Chiefs this past Sunday.

Los Angeles had the opportunity to pull off the upset, but a lackluster offensive performance and penalties held them back.

With Week 4 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	17.0 ppg	26th
Passing offense	136.5 ypg	31st
Rushing offense	127.8 ypg	11th
Total offense	264.3 ypg	28th
3rd down conversions	36.36%	20th
Red zone scoring	44.44%	25th
Sacks allowed	9	14th
Turnovers	2	2nd

Defense

Category	Stat	Rank
Points allowed	12.5 ppg	1st
Passing defense	188.5 ypg	12th
Rushing defense	94.0 ypg	5th
Total defense	282.5 ypg	7th
3rd down conversions	39.29%	20th
Red zone defense	28.57%	2nd
Sacks	11	15th
Takeaways	7	6th

Where the Chargers rank statistically after Week 3

Here is how the Chargers compare statistically to the rest of the NFL after Week 3.

The Chargers fell to 2-1 after losing to the Steelers this past Sunday.

It was an underwhelming performance for Los Angeles that lost a few key starters along the way.

With Week 4 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	19.3 ppg	17th
Passing offense	125.7 ypg	31st
Rushing offense	152.0 ypg	7th
Total offense	277.7 ypg	25th
3rd down conversions	38.10%	16th
Red zone scoring	42.86%	24th
Sacks allowed	7	14th
Turnovers	2	7th

Defense

Category	Stat	Rank
Points allowed	11.0 ppg	3rd
Passing defense	175.3 ypg	10th
Rushing defense	91.7 ypg	6th
Total defense	267.0 ypg	6th
3rd down conversions	32.50%	12th
Red zone defense	20.00%	2nd
Sacks	8	16th
Takeaways	5	6th

Where the Chargers rank statistically after Week 2

Here is how the Chargers compare statistically to the rest of the NFL after Week 2.

After defeating the Panthers in Week 2, the Chargers will face the Steelers this Sunday and look to improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2002.

Los Angeles’ success has come from its dominant defense and rushing attack. The passing game has taken a backseat since the team has had no problem running all over its opponents the past two weeks.

With Week 3 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	24.0 ppg	11th
Passing offense	135.0 ypg	28th
Rushing offense	197.5 ypg	2nd
Total offense	332.5 ypg	12th
3rd down conversions	41.94%	10th
Red zone scoring	50.00%	10th
Sacks allowed	2	T-1st
Turnovers	2	13th

Defense

Category	Stat	Rank
Points allowed	6.5 ppg	1st
Passing defense	147.0 ypg	6th
Rushing defense	80.5 ypg	6th
Total defense	227.5 ypg	2nd
3rd down conversions	23.08%	2nd
Red zone defense	—	1st
Sacks	6	10th
Takeaways	4	6th

Chargers film room: Poona Ford anchors strong Week 1 defense

Poona Ford was one of the bright spots for the Chargers defense that held the Raiders to 71 yards rushing in a Week 1 victory.

The Chargers looked like a completely different run defense in the first game of the Jim Harbaugh era, holding the Raiders to just 71 yards on the ground as a team.

Instrumental in that effort was defensive tackle Poona Ford, who signed a one-year contract with Los Angeles in the offseason after playing a depth role for the Bills in 2023. Penciled in as a starter nearly by default because of the Chargers’ struggles on the defensive interior, Ford broke through with one of the best games by any defensive tackle in the NFL in Week 1 to aid Los Angeles’ defensive effort.

Let’s turn to the film to see how Ford made his impact.

Ford started strong on the opening drive of the season, pushing Raiders center Andre James into the backfield and forcing running back Zamir White to funnel his carry back inside on 3rd and 1. White’s cut brings him back into the path of Joey Bosa pursuing on the back side of the play. Bosa makes the play, forcing a Raiders punt.

On the next Raiders drive, Las Vegas lines up to go for a 4th and 1 from their own 41, bringing tight end Michael Mayer into the backfield in a pistol look. Ford beats James instantly off the snap and runs through Mayer, causing a pileup in the backfield that absorbs White and stuffs the Raiders. The field position set up the Chargers for the opening field goal of the game.

Ford initially gets driven off the ball by Raiders guard Cody Whitehair on this toss play in the second quarter as James pulls to support the block, but Ford gets past the double team and helps close the hole alongside cornerback Kristian Fulton to limit White to a gain of 2 on first down. Fulton slips a block from Mayer to help Ford make the tackle.

Coming out of the two-minute warning, the Raiders try to set up a screen to running back Alexander Mattison, but Ford reads the play after getting through the A gap without much resistance from James or Whitehair. Instead of chasing after Gardner Minshew, Ford runs with Mattison and tips the ball. As Mattison tries to corral it, Ford continues to play through his hands, eventually knocking the ball away and forcing the Raiders into a third down.

On a 3rd and 7 in the third quarter with the Chargers leading 9-7, Jesse Minter dials up a sim pressure with Junior Colson, Daiyan Henley, and Derwin James all walked up to the line of scrimmage. All three of them come on the blitz while Ford briefly engages with Andre James before dropping into a zone over the middle. The design prevents the Raiders from sliding the protection to either side. Henley jumps to get in the throwing lane of Minshew and Colson breaks into the pocket for a pressure, forcing a throwaway. Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson missed a 49-yard field goal on the next play, leading to a Chargers touchdown drive.

Zooming out to the field view for this 3rd and 10 from the Chargers 23, the seventh play of a pivotal Raiders drive early in the fourth quarter. Las Vegas runs a screen to wide receiver DJ Turner on the outside and has three blockers, including two offensive linemen, for three Chargers defenders in front of Turner. As he approaches the first down marker, however, Turner is chased down by Ford, stopping him short of the sticks and forcing the Raiders into a field goal attempt to make the game 16-10 rather than setting up a red zone first down to cut the lead to two.

Ford caps off his performance – and the game – with this tip drill interception just after the two-minute warning. Khalil Mack drives right tackle Thayer Munford Jr. back as Minshew tries to swing the ball to Mattison. Mack gets his hands up and bats the ball into the air right as Ford disengages from his blocker. Unlike most defensive tackles who let the ball fall into their chests, Ford extends outside his frame slightly to make the catch and gets to the ground to secure the victory.

Ford continuing his strong play will be instrumental in the Chargers fielding a top defense this season, as his Week 1 tape was some of the best Los Angeles has gotten from a defensive tackle in the last couple of seasons. Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack both looked impressive as well, setting up a potentially dominant Chargers front if all three can sustain their levels of production.

Chargers stock watch: Who’s up, who’s down following win in season opener

The Chargers performed better than many expected in Week 1. Several players stepped up in a surprising way, while a few others disappointed.

Morale is high after the Chargers’ season opening 22-10 victory over the Raiders. Now, they are set to face the Panthers in Week 2 in an attempt to keep the momentum going.

In the opening win, several players stepped up in a big way, while a few others disappointed. Here’s a look at who is trending up or down following the Chargers’ season opener.

Stock Up: RB J.K. Dobbins

There’s no doubt as to who boosted there stock more in Week 1. Dobbins’ 135 rushing yards was the third-most across the NFL, and it came on a total of just 10 carries. His injury history is well known, but if he continues to be efficient, he should only continue to see more snaps.

Stock Down: RB Gus Edwards

While Edwards wasn’t particularly effective in his team debut, this one has more to do with Dobbins’ performance. It was unclear as to who would see a majority of the work at tailback, and it still remains a bit up in the air. After the opener though, Dobbins is trending upwards which only hurts Edwards in turn. The former Baltimore Raven averaged just 2.4 yards per carry across 11 attempts. Edwards also saw less work in the passing game, as he finished with two less catches than Dobbins.

Stock Up: DL Otito Ogbonnia

The Chargers’ defensive front was stifling in the opening victory, which was largely led by Ogbonnia and Poona Ford. The defense allowed just 71 rushing yards, a sustainable recipe for success moving forward. Ogbonnia performed admirably in his fourth career start. While he won’t provide much of a pass rush, his presence in the running game will be crucial as the season goes on.

Stock Down: WR Joshua Palmer

2024 is supposed to be the season in which Palmer breaks out in a big way. The Chargers lost its two best wideouts this past offseason, and presumed starter D.J. Chark was placed on IR just ahead of the season opener. Despite the team’s 22-10 win, Palmer was disappointing in the opener. He finished the day with just two catches on four targets for 15 yards. It should be mentioned that Palmer was ejected from the game in the second half as well. There is still plenty of time for him to step up though, including a favorable matchup in Week 2 against the Panthers.

Stock Up: WR Ladd McConkey

McConkey was labeled as a major winner of the Week 1 victory, and as a direct result, his stock is only on the rise. The rookie led the offense in targets, catches, and receiving yards in addition to the lone touchdown in the passing game. Some thought that it may take him some time before becoming the team’s top wideout, but he may already be just that for the Chargers.

Stock Down: OL Bradley Bozeman

It wasn’t the best of performances for the seventh-year veteran center. In his first start with the new team, he was a bit erratic, including allowing a sack. To be fair, he had a difficult task in trying to contain Raiders star defensive lineman Christian Wilkins. Still, Bozeman’s poor performance has raised additional concerns on the Chargers’ interior portion of the offensive line.

Where the Chargers rank statistically after Week 1

Here is how the Chargers compare statistically to the rest of the NFL after Week 1.

After defeating the Raiders in Week 1, the Chargers will face the Panthers this Sunday.

Los Angeles will look to get their passing game going while keeping the momentum in the run game that was sparked in the second half by J.K. Dobbins. Defensively, they will seek the same level of dominance.

With Week 2 coming up, how do the Bolts compare to the rest of the NFL after the first week? Here is where Los Angeles ranks:

Offense

Category	Stat	Rank
Points per game	22.0 ppg	16th
Passing offense	140.0 ypg	23rd
Rushing offense	176.0 ypg	5th
Total offense	316.0 ypg	13th
3rd down conversions	26.67%	25th
Red zone scoring	50.00%	12th
Sacks allowed	1	T-1st
Turnovers	0	T-1st

Defense

Category	Stat	Rank
Points allowed	10.0 ppg	2nd
Passing defense	225.0 ypg	25th
Rushing defense	71.0 ypg	4th
Total defense	296.0 ypg	15th
3rd down conversions	35.71%	16th
Red zone defense	—	1st
Sacks	4	5th
Takeaways	3	T-1st

Game balls: 5 standouts from the Chargers’ Week 1 win over the Raiders

The Chargers dominated the line of scrimmage in Jim Harbaugh’s first game as head coach. The physicality helped lead them to a 22-10 win.

The Chargers began the 2024 season with a resilient victory over the Raiders on Sunday. Head coach Jim Harbaugh’s imprint was reflected throughout, as the Bolts dominated the trenches.

It was a physical matchup, but the Chargers’ aggressiveness ultimately helped them sneak out the victory. Amidst the Week 1 win, there were several players that stepped up in a big way for Los Angeles.

RB J.K. Dobbins

This was the most surprising revelation from the opening victory. Dobbins was the clear winner of the backfield battle as he finished with a 135-yard performance. His 12-yard touchdown to begin the fourth quarter gave the Chargers a much-needed two possession lead. It’ll be interesting to see how the snaps are divvied up between Dobbins and Gus Edwards in Week 2.

OT Joe Alt

The rookie enjoyed a stellar debut against a difficult Raiders front. In 11 pass-block snaps against Raiders superstar Maxx Crosby, Alt didn’t allow a single pressure. It’s just what the Chargers envisioned when they decided to use the fifth overall pick on him in the 2024 NFL Draft.

WR Ladd McConkey

The wide receiver room was a concern heading into the season, but McConkey stepped up in a big way in Week 1. The rookie snagged five of his seven targets for 39 yards. Most importantly, he reeled in a 10-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter that essentially sealed the Raiders’ fate. The 2024 second-rounder could become Justin Herbert’s go-to target moving forward.

DT Poona Ford

Ford was a cheap acquisition this offseason, and it paid off in a big way in Week 1. The seventh-year veteran played a key role in holding the Raiders to a measly 71 rushing yards. In addition to two total tackles, Ford sealed the game with an interception late in the contest. Pro Football Focus rated him as the Chargers’ second-best player in the win over the Raiders.

EDGE Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack

This one is obvious, but it has to be mentioned. Bosa and Mack wrecked havoc throughout and completely took over this game. The duo combined for 2.5 sacks in addition to a crucial takeaway that was forced by Bosa and recovered by Mack.

Following the 22-10 victory, Harbaugh and the Chargers will now turn their preparations to the Panthers for Week 2.

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 1 win over Raiders

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

In Week 1, the Chargers defeated the Raiders, 22-10.

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

OT Rashawn Slater — 74.8

RB J.K. Dobbins — 74.3

WR Ladd McConkey — 72.9

WR Quentin Johnston — 65.4

OT Joe Alt — 60.8

Top 5 Defense

EDGE Joey Bosa — 91.4

DT Poona Ford — 89.2

EDGE Khalil Mack — 87.2

S Elijah Molden — 82.9

CB Ja’Sir Taylor — 72.1

Bottom 5 Offense

TE/FB Scott Matlock — 27.4

TE Will Dissly — 39.8

WR Joshua Palmer — 46.7

OL Bradley Bozeman — 48.7

OL Zion Johnson — 52.4

Bottom 5 Defense

EDGE Bud Dupree — 29.7

LB Junior Colson — 44.8

DL Morgan Fox — 50.4

DL Scott Matlock — 53.5

DL Otito Ogbonnia — 56.6

5 Chargers players who need to improve in 2024

The Chargers have some players who struggled during the 2023 season.

The Chargers are looking to turn things around under Jim Harbaugh after finishing as one of the worst teams last season.

They have the talent to make it happen, but it’s a collaborative effort and some players need to improve from the previous season to bring success.

Here are five players who need to make some strides in 2024.

WR Quentin Johnston

The Chargers drafted Johnston in the first round last year, thinking they would get an instant playmaker on the offensive side of the ball. That did not materialize, however. Johnston struggled to create consistent separation and dropped passes. The wide receiver group is not strong after the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, so Los Angeles will be banking on an improved Johnston to get the most out of that positional group.

G Zion Johnson

Another former first-round pick, Johnson has yet to live up to his billing. This was even after he transitioned from right guard to left guard, his natural position. Despite being next to tackle Rashawn Slater, he struggled to create a surge in the run game and had his hiccups in pass protection. Johnson has the tools to be a dominant guard, but it’s a matter of whether it can come to fruition with the new coaching.

CB Kristian Fulton

The Chargers signed Fulton to a cheap deal this offseason. Currently, he is the front-runner to start on the outside opposite Asante Samuel Jr. However, they need Fulton to come on strong in that role after struggles on the field and with injuries during his time with the Titans. If he can stay healthy, Fulton has shown the ability to be a good coverage corner.

CB Ja’Sir Taylor

As of now, Taylor is the starting nickel corner. But that’s purely based on having the most experience at the position. His spot is not guaranteed, however, as Taylor will be competing with fifth-round pick Tarheeb Still for the job. After flashing as a rookie in 2022, Taylor’s play declined slightly, eventually leading to him losing his starting job midway through last season. In particular, Taylor must improve as a run defender.

DT Poona Ford

Ford is another player the Chargers signed at a discount with the intent of contributing right away. Ford took a step back in 2023 while with the Bills. He only played eight games and was a healthy scratch for 11 games due to his struggles. Once one of the best run-defending interior defenders during his time with the Seahawks, Ford must return to his old ways while continuing to flash as a pass rusher to help contribute to a thin defensive tackle room.

Projecting the Chargers’ interior defensive line depth chart in 2024

Taking a crack at projecting what the Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle room will look like entering the 2024 season.

Over the next few weeks ahead of training camp, I will continue to break down the depth chart for each Chargers position.

Next, I project what the interior defensive line room will look like heading into the 2024 season.

Morgan Fox

Fox joined the Chargers ahead of the 2022 season, where he had a career year. He recorded 40 pressures, 6.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits. For his efforts, Fox was re-signed last offseason. He continued to be an impactful interior pass rusher, finishing with 37 pressures and five sacks. Fox is in the final year of his contract.

The Chargers lacked veterans in the positional room aside from Fox, so they went out and signed Ford on a cheap deal. Like Fox, Ford will be able to come on as a pass rusher from the middle of the defensive line. He can play on early downs. While he hasn’t been as a good defending the run the past couple of seasons, he has shown the ability to put on strong in this department in his early playing days with the Seahawks.

Justin Eboigbe

After signing Ford, the Chargers still needed more reinforcements up front so they selected Eboigbe in the fourth round of this year’s draft. Eboige is an interior defender who is tough and well-built with the strength to anchor at the point of attack and eat up double teams. While his strong suit is in run defense, he showed the explosiveness and technicality to get after the quarterback last season.

Otito Ogbonnia

After being selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft, Ogbonnia made a name for himself in his rookie season. While he may not have stood out on the stat sheet, with 14 tackles and a tackle for loss in seven games, Ogbonnia was a reliable run defender by penetrating the backfield to cause havoc and occupying double teams. Unfortunately, a ruptured left patellar tendon during Week 7 cut his season short. Ogbonnia worked his way back and appeared in eight games last season, totaling 21 tackles and two QB hits.

Christopher Hinton

I expect the Chargers to roster five interior defenders, which means this will be a battle between a handful of players, including Hinton, Scott Matlock and Jerrod Clark. Hinton, the former five-star recruit, gets the nod because of his familiarity with Jim Harbaugh at Michigan. Hinton has shown flashes of being a nice rotational piece.