Chargers’ turnaround on defense has mostly gone under the radar

While quarterback Justin Herbert and coach Jim Harbaugh command most of the attention on the Los Angeles Chargers, coordinator Jesse Minter’s turnaround of the defense has gone under the radar.

Sunday’s 26-8 victory over the New Orleans Saints marked the second time this season the defense has not allowed a touchdown. It’s the first time since 2013 that the Bolts (4-3) have not given up a TD in two of their first seven games.

The unit is allowing a league-low 13 points per game. It has given up just nine touchdowns, the second-lowest total in franchise history through seven games.

“It feels like we have the script sometimes. It’s like whatever they’re running, we’re prepared for,” safety Derwin James said after Sunday’s game. “We just play our rules. We play fast, just get to the ball and don’t overthink stuff. You see the results we’re getting.”

Minter was the defensive coordinator for two years at the University of Michigan and was one of nine assistants to join Harbaugh when he was named the Chargers’ coach after leading the Wolverines to a national title last season.

After the Chargers allowed Arizona to kick a game-winning field goal on the final play last Monday night, the defense was determined to keep the Saints out of the end zone on the final play, even though victory was already certain.

New Orleans got to run a play with no time on the clock after a roughing-the-passer penalty. The Saints could not convert when Jake Haener’s pass to Chris Olave was incomplete.

“It did mean something. It’s not meaningless, it’s points against our defense, and we don’t want to give up no points,” James said. “I don’t care if it’s the last two minutes, I don’t care if we got the lead. We’re trying to finish in the fourth quarter.”

The Chargers also didn’t allow a touchdown in their 26-3 victory over Carolina in Week 2. While the end-zone shutouts have come against teams with a combined three wins, Harbaugh isn’t one to diminish the accomplishments.

“We’re playing real good defense and the competition has been good,” Harbaugh said Monday.

The most significant improvement by the defense has been against the pass. The Chargers are allowing 193.4 yards per game — ninth-best in the league — compared to 297.4 yards at this point one year ago.

The defense has also forced opponents to go three-and-out on 28.6% of its drives, its highest percentage since 2010.

James feels the Chargers can play even better defense the rest of the season.

“Every week we go in there (ticked) off because we know it’s plays that we’re leaving out there, and a few technique stuff we can get better at to be dominant. We’re just trying to do that,” he said.

What’s working

The deep passing game. Herbert was 4 of 6 on passes of at least 20 air yards for 156 yards and a touchdown. It is the first time in Herbert’s career he has had two straight games with at least four completions on deep balls.

What needs help

Extra points. Cameron Dicker has made 58 straight field goals inside 50 yards, the second-longest streak since 1991, but he is one of five kickers to have missed two extra points this season.

Stock up

RT Joe Alt. The rookie did not allow pressure on any of his 38 pass-blocking snaps, according to the league’s Next Gen Stats. That’s tied for the most snaps without a pressure allowed by a rookie tackle over the last three seasons.

Stock down

LG Zion Johnson. He struggled in pass protection and got beat on two of the three times Herbert was sacked.

Injuries

LB Joey Bosa returned after missing three games with a glute strain and played 20 snaps before appearing to injure an ankle. … CB Kristian Fulton aggravated a hamstring injury.

Key numbers

535 — Rushing yards by J.K. Dobbins, the best start by a Chargers running back since Melvin Gordon had 579 yards through seven games in 2018.

4 — Touchdowns by Ladd McConkey, which is third among rookie receivers. McConkey was the first Chargers rookie wideout since Seyi Ajirotutu in 2010 with over 100 yards receiving and two TDs in a game.

What’s next

The Chargers have won four straight against the Browns (2-5), including their last two trips to Cleveland. It will be the third of five straight games for Los Angeles against teams that currently have losing records.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL