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Originally posted by Bolt4Knob
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Chargers’ third-down defense is a growing concern: What went wrong vs. Vikings
By Daniel Popper Nov 18, 2021
9 
We have discussed the Chargers’ offensive inconsistencies at length over this recent stretch in which the team has lost three of four games, and they are certainly a big part of the slide. But another concerning trend has emerged since Week 6: the Chargers’ third-down defense. And their struggles to get off the field against the Vikings, particularly in the second half, contributed significantly to the loss.
Overall, the Chargers allowed the Vikings to convert five of their 14 third downs. That does not tell the whole story, however. That figure does not include a pass interference penalty on Chris Harris Jr. on a third-and-10 in the third quarter. And an 18-yard completion to Adam Thielen on third-and-20 on the final drive of the game shows up as a stop on the box score, when in reality it was the play that sealed the game.
The Chargers rank 30th in third-down defense on the season. They are allowing opposing offenses to convert nearly 46 percent of their third downs. Only the Falcons and Washington Football Team have been worse. The Chargers have plummeted down the rankings over their past four games. Through the first five weeks, the Chargers ranked 17th in third-down defense and allowed conversions on 41.8 percent of third downs, according to TruMedia. Since Week 6, the Chargers have allowed conversions on 50 percent of their third downs. Only the Jets, Lions and Washington have been worse in that span.
For most of this season, the porous run defense was a key factor in the Chargers’ below-average third-down defense. Opposing offenses were able to set up manageable third downs by attacking the Chargers on the ground. Through the first nine weeks of the season, opposing offenses faced an average third-down distance to a gain of 6.28 yards against the Chargers, fifth shortest in the league, according to TruMedia. When the Chargers avoided those manageable situations, they excelled. Through the first nine weeks, they ranked sixth in third-down defense when opposing offenses had 6 or more yards to gain for a first down.
The run defense has been improving steadily since the Week 7 bye, and the Chargers had one of their better performances against the run this season Sunday, holding the Vikings to 3.1 yards per carry on 33 attempts. But this time, the Chargers’ pass defense did not hold up when they forced third-and-longs. The Vikings faced an average third-down distance to gain 8.23 yards, the sixth longest of any team in Week 10. They were still successful.
Thielen and Justin Jefferson combined for six catches for 94 yards on third down against the Chargers. The Vikings officially converted four of their eight third downs in the second half. If you factor in Harris’ pass interference, it’s 5 of 9. And, again, Thielen’s third-and-20 reception was a very productive play that technically counted as a failed conversion. So more like 6 of 9.
The Chargers were without Michael Davis, who missed his second straight game with a hamstring injury. They missed his presence. Tevaughn Campbellstarted in his place and had a rough day.
The primary issue for Campbell was poor technique and not playing his leverages correctly based on where his help was. This showed up on several third-down conversions.
First, there was a third-and-15 completion to Jefferson in the second quarter. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins set up in shotgun with Jefferson isolated against Campbell to the left side of the formation. Jefferson ran an out route to the first-down marker.
Jefferson took an inside release at the snap, and Campbell was in good position playing outside leverage — or, in other words, playing to the outside of the receiver to take away any route to the sideline. As you can see, Campbell had clear help to the inside on any in-breaking routes from safety Trey Marshall, who is circled in yellow.
As Jefferson hit the top of his route, though, Campbell overcommitted and got out of position. He grabbed Jefferson as the receiver tried to break and was flagged for pass interference on the play.
Because of Marshall’s help to the inside, Campbell should have never overplayed this route. He should have stayed outside to defend the out route.
Jefferson broke free with Campbell to his inside, and Cousins completed it for an 18-yard completion.
Campbell was then beat twice on the final game-clinching drive from the Vikings — first by Jefferson on a go route, and second by Thielen on an in-breaker. Campbell was again out of position on both of these routes.
On the Jefferson completion, the Vikings faced a third-and-6 from their own 29-yard line. Jefferson was isolated outside to the right against Campbell, who was in press coverage at the line of scrimmage.
Campbell jammed Jefferson as the play began to develop.
But Jefferson was able to shake off the contact and gain a step on Campbell with an outside release. Cousins saw it and delivered a beautiful ball down the right sideline. As soon as Jefferson took an outside release, Campbell should have gained depth to avoid getting beat on the go route. Campbell had help to the inside from Alohi Gilman, the post defender who is circled in yellow.
Jefferson adjusted and made a fantastic leaping catch for a crucial 27-yard gain.
As coach Brandon Staley put it earlier this week, “We’re in the middle of the field closed, so he needs to be on top of that route. That’s where he fell short. When you’re in post middle, you need to be on top of that route. When you get an outside release, you need to be on top of the route. If you’re going to lose, you’re going to lose on a comeback, you’re going to lose on a stop route — you’re not going to lose on a (go route). Even though that it was a spectacular throw and catch, it shouldn’t be there for him to make that catch because we should be on top of the route.”
Three plays later, the Vikings went back at Campbell. This time, the Chargers cornerback was matched up with Thielen. The Vikings faced a third-and-20 from their own 46. Thielen was lined up to the outside right of the Minnesota formation and ran a deep dig, or in route. Campbell was in off coverage.
Campbell dropped at the snap.
But as Thielen went into his break, Campbell was too deep. The Chargers were in split-safety man coverage, and Campbell had help over the top from Marshall, who is circled in yellow. Because of the help over the top, Campbell should have been more aggressive on this throw and sunk onto Thielen’s route to cut it off.
Thielen broke in and had 3 yards of separation.
Easy completion.
The completion set up a fourth-and-2 that the Vikings converted on a Dalvin Cook pitch to end the game.
The issues extended beyond Campbell. Harris had that penalty. The Chargers miscommunicated on two third downs that led directly to conversions.
They also had positive moments, especially in that first half, when the coverage was very tight and connected.
But the mishaps changed the game.
The Chargers rushed the passer very well in this game. They finished with 21 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, and creating third-and-longs contributed massively to that. The improved run defense is giving the Chargers the third-down opportunities they have been seeking all season. Now the secondary has to hold up its end.
Davis returned to practice fully Thursday. So did safety Nasir Adderley, who missed the Vikings game with an ankle injury. With the secondary back to full strength, and the run defense finding consistency, perhaps third-down improvement is on the horizon.
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