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I wrote a few articles discussing the Chargers offense.
1. The Quick Passing Game And Its Correlation To Success – A Chargers Analysis
A little preview: "Last Three Games (NYJ, CHI, KC) – Passes Behind The Line of Scrimmage: 16/17 for 129 yards and a touchdown. VS Three Offensive Victories (MIN, LVR, CHI) – Passes Behind The Line of Scrimmage: 28/28 for 174 and a touchdown." Just basically discussing how important throwing the ball short is, and how it has worked for the bolts in the past.
2. The Chargers Offense Struggles Against A Strong Defense – Where Can They Improve?
A little preview: " Highly touted for his yards-after-catch ability, Johnston has yet to get really any run as a YAC threat. In the one play where he was targetted on a shallow crosser, he made a few defenders miss and made what could have been a 3-4 yard gain to a 12-yard connection. More manufactured space for the young rookie would a long way in not only his production but the Chargers’ offensive totals in general."
let me know what you guys think!
Copy And Paste Below
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To Analyze How Important The Short Passing Game Is, Different Games Were Studied To Show The Major Difference In The Chargers Offense Without It.
The Los Angeles Chargers have gone down two different offensive philosophies during this season thus far. One of which is explosive play hunting, the other being the utilization of the short passing game. To analyze how important the quick passing game is, different games were tracked and studied to show the major difference in the Chargers offense when using the short passing attack and when they were not. Utilizing the Screen and the Short Passing Game
The Chargers offense struggling in the quick game was not something that I thought would come up after the Chargers offensive masterpiece this season against the Minnesota Vikings. In that week three game, Herbert had one of his best performances, and this was completely due to the perfectly executed screen game, as well as the quick passing attack drawn up from Offensive Coordinator, Kellen Moore. Herbert went 14/14 for 59 yards on passes behind the line of scrimmage. For passes 10 yards and under, Herbert went 19/24 for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
That Vikings game showed exactly what a strong short passing game can do for an NFL offense. Granted, the Vikings are a team that is very susceptible to a good short passing game, but even just having a good plan that is executed well is a step forward compared to what the Chargers are doing currently.
In the last three games, Herbert in the short game has not been the same, which has led to a big part in the offensive regression we have seen develop in the last few weeks.
So, to compare as evenly as possible, we will take the Charger’s last three victories besides the latest victory against the Jets, comparing these victories to their last three games in general, where they have struggled offensively in all three. This will show the formula: A good short passing game correlates to a better offensive performance and more confidence-inspiring victories. Last Three Games (NYJ, CHI, KC) – Passes Behind The Line of Scrimmage: 16/17 for 129 yards and a touchdown.
After the Joe Lombardi disaster, the last thing Charger fans would expect to want is more short passes. Unfortunately, Lombardi was right about one thing: throwing the ball short is crucial in today’s NFL, though he forgot in his scheme that a short passing game should only be a singular part of a game plan. Not the entire game plan.
On paper, the presented stat line looks great, but considering this stat line is across three games, that is a little under six behind-the-line-of-scrimmage passing attempts per game. That is simply not enough to sustain drives in the NFL. A strong screen game is very important, especially when you have very good yards after catching targets like Austin Ekeler, Gerald Everett, and Quentin Johnston. Three Offensive Victories (MIN, LVR, CHI) – Passes Behind The Line of Scrimmage: 28/28 for 174 and a touchdown.
The ability to sustain drives and run the clock is crucial in winning football games. In the Chargers’ three wins before the Jets, they averaged little over nine passes behind the line of scrimmage, nearly a 33% increase from their last three games average.
This increase gave the Chargers offense more time of possession and sustainability on offense, using the short passing game as an extension of the run game.
Note: Both ends of this statistic include the Bears game. Last Three Games (NYJ, CHI, KC) – Passes 10 Yards or Less From The Line of Scrimmage: 33/43 for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Once again, on paper, this looks acceptable, but in contrast to the other side of the equation, this does not come close. The one victory in the last three games, where the Chargers offense seemed to do okay, was the one game where the short passing game stood out. The Bears game alone accounted for 17 of the 33 total completions, 136 of the 255 yards, and both the touchdowns.
Against better defenses; the Jets and the Chiefs, the Chargers offense did not even really attempt to get a short passing game going. Only totaled 16 completions, for 119 yards, and no touchdowns. Predictably, the Chargers offensive totals for both of those games were extremely lackluster, and this was majority due to the lack of sustainability you gain from having a quick passing game. Three Offensive Victories (MIN, LVR, CHI) – Passes 10 Yards or Less From The Line of Scrimmage: 41/76 for 326 yards and 5 touchdowns.
In the three victories against Minnesota, Las Vegas, and Chicago, Kellen Moore called an offense that relied less on explosive play hunting and instead relied upon setting up the deep ball with a barrage of quick concepts.
Knowing that the offensive line without Corey Linsley has struggled makes staying ahead of a strong pass rush, as well as staying ahead of the chains even more important. To do so, utilizing Keenan Allen’s route-running prowess and Justin Herbert’s quick processor to its full capacity is a great way to minimize weaknesses and maximize strengths. This philosophy has shown up in the win column.
Note: Both ends of this statistic include the Bears game. Long Story Short
If the Chargers want to get back on track and stampede their way into the playoffs, they must go back to their first victory over the Vikings and use that game plan as a basis for their next opponents. All in all, The formula is simple. To win football games, you have to utilize the short passing game.
Main Photo: Kevin R. Wexler-USA TODAY NETWORK
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The Chargers Offense Has Been Inconsistent This Season. The Chargers Need To Find A Way To Move On From Shakey Offensive Performances.
In week nine, The Los Angeles Chargers faced off against the New York Jets and won handily 27-6. This was to no thanks to the Chargers offense, who put up under 200 total offensive yards. So, what went wrong with this Chargers Offense and where can they improve? Chargers vs Jets Offensive Struggles
As mentioned before, the Chargers did not even put up 200 yards against the now 4-4 New York Jets. However, this is not a big surprise as the Jets boast one of the best defenses in the entire league, with a dominant defensive line and a very strong secondary. This combined with the Chargers showing some sluggish offensive moments in their last few games before week nine, the Bolts seemed bound to have a bad offensive game.
Previous to the Jets game, the Chargers had major second-half offensive struggles, putting up only six points second-half points on the weak Bears defense. The trend continues as the Chargers did not even score a single point in the second half against the Chiefs. So, why is this extremely talented Chargers offense struggling to put points up on the board?
The Chargers have not been the same since Justin Herbert’s finger injury, and whether it is directly correlated or not, it is the mark where the Chargers offense dipped in production. The Chargers also have suffered major attrition on the offensive side of the ball, losing star receiver Mike Williams, the offensive line leader, in center, Corey Linsley, and key playmaker, Joshua Palmer.
Injuries will hamper any team’s production, but that is not solely the main reason behind the offensive struggles. This lies in personnel choices, offensive playcalling, and the play of certain offensive groups. The Chargers will have to go toe-to-toe with one of the league’s best offenses in the Detroit Lions on Sunday, and to win this game, they need to improve offensively. How Can The Chargers Offense Improve to be Ready to Compete With the Dominant Detroit Lions
The Blueprint for an Offensive Improvement:
Better Protection Against Stunts
All football fans have heard the saying “It all starts up front” when it comes to building a successful team, whether it is offense or defense. The trenches are crucial, and the Chargers offense is lacking good communication amongst this offensive line group. The Chargers desperately miss their Center, Corey Linsley, and his ability to call protections and set up success for the young linemen around him.
The Chargers have a very young offensive line, and the lack of communication when passing off stunts to each other is apparent. Last year’s sixth-round selection, Jamaree Salyer was a standout tackle in replacement of Rashawn Slater last season and was asked to move to the other side, and inside to right guard. He has not looked the same and has struggled to identify the end man looping back inside to Salyer’s gap. His running mate, right tackle, Trey Pipkins also struggles to pick up and communicate against stunts, which leads to a disastrous right side of the offensive line in terms of pass protection, though both of these linemen are very talented and have shown to play respectable in the past.
Without communication amongst each other, defenses will continue to get free rushers right into Justin Herbert’s lap unblocked, and the Chargers offense will continue to struggle. Setting up Individual Players for Success
The Chargers usually do a good job using their offensive playmakers to their strengths. Thus far under Kellen Moore, it seems as though some players get that treatment and others do not. Stars like Keenan Allen and Justin Herbert are able to adjust to any scheme but are being used in a way that suits their skill sets. Herbert gets to use his quick processing in the short game, and his arm strength in the deep passing game. Allen uses his dominant route running in the route combinations given, as well as being placed in varied alignments to catch defenses slipping.
On the other hand, a few key offensive playmakers have yet to be let off the leash, and truly show what they can do. The first that comes to mind is Chargers first-round selection, Quentin Johnston. Highly touted for his yards-after-catch ability, Johnston has yet to get really any run as a YAC threat. In the one play where he was targetted on a shallow crosser, he made a few defenders miss and made what could have been a 3-4 yard gain to a 12-yard connection. More manufactured space for the young rookie would a long way in not only his production but the Chargers’ offensive totals in general.
Another pass catcher with YAC ability is starting tight end, Gerald Everett. The former Seahawk has shown to be a very hard player to tackle and always fights his hardest after a reception. Everett currently ranks T-8th amongst tight ends for yards after catch per reception. Everett also is first amongst all tight ends in missed tackles forced.
The Chargers simply need to get the ball to Everett more, as being ranked 29th in tight-end targets is simply unacceptable, when you have a playmaker like #7. Involve Joshua Kelley More
The last key to improvement for this Chargers offense is the most simple. The Bolts need to simply involve second-string running back, Joshua Kelley more. Kelley has been the best pure rusher on the team thus far, and it is not even close. The former UCLA product currently ranks 13th in yards after contact per attempt, 14th in yards per attempt, and fifth in explosive run rate. The Chargers run game has been pretty hit or miss with Austin Ekeler at the helm, and giving Kelley more carries would easily sure up some of those inconsistencies.
Outlook
All in all, the Chargers offense has been very up and down this season. To get out of this slump, the Chargers need to move on from shakey offensive performances against the Jets and the Chiefs. To do so, follow a simple blueprint of better stunt protection, more usage of your yards after catch threats, and lastly, involving Joshua Kelley more in your run game. The Chargers have a big test with the Detroit Lions this coming Sunday, and fans hope to see a more cohesive offensive plan.
Main Photo: Kevin R. Wexler-USA TODAY NETWORK
1. The Quick Passing Game And Its Correlation To Success – A Chargers Analysis
A little preview: "Last Three Games (NYJ, CHI, KC) – Passes Behind The Line of Scrimmage: 16/17 for 129 yards and a touchdown. VS Three Offensive Victories (MIN, LVR, CHI) – Passes Behind The Line of Scrimmage: 28/28 for 174 and a touchdown." Just basically discussing how important throwing the ball short is, and how it has worked for the bolts in the past.
2. The Chargers Offense Struggles Against A Strong Defense – Where Can They Improve?
A little preview: " Highly touted for his yards-after-catch ability, Johnston has yet to get really any run as a YAC threat. In the one play where he was targetted on a shallow crosser, he made a few defenders miss and made what could have been a 3-4 yard gain to a 12-yard connection. More manufactured space for the young rookie would a long way in not only his production but the Chargers’ offensive totals in general."
let me know what you guys think!
Copy And Paste Below
__________________________________________________ ______________
To Analyze How Important The Short Passing Game Is, Different Games Were Studied To Show The Major Difference In The Chargers Offense Without It.
The Los Angeles Chargers have gone down two different offensive philosophies during this season thus far. One of which is explosive play hunting, the other being the utilization of the short passing game. To analyze how important the quick passing game is, different games were tracked and studied to show the major difference in the Chargers offense when using the short passing attack and when they were not. Utilizing the Screen and the Short Passing Game
The Chargers offense struggling in the quick game was not something that I thought would come up after the Chargers offensive masterpiece this season against the Minnesota Vikings. In that week three game, Herbert had one of his best performances, and this was completely due to the perfectly executed screen game, as well as the quick passing attack drawn up from Offensive Coordinator, Kellen Moore. Herbert went 14/14 for 59 yards on passes behind the line of scrimmage. For passes 10 yards and under, Herbert went 19/24 for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
That Vikings game showed exactly what a strong short passing game can do for an NFL offense. Granted, the Vikings are a team that is very susceptible to a good short passing game, but even just having a good plan that is executed well is a step forward compared to what the Chargers are doing currently.
In the last three games, Herbert in the short game has not been the same, which has led to a big part in the offensive regression we have seen develop in the last few weeks.
So, to compare as evenly as possible, we will take the Charger’s last three victories besides the latest victory against the Jets, comparing these victories to their last three games in general, where they have struggled offensively in all three. This will show the formula: A good short passing game correlates to a better offensive performance and more confidence-inspiring victories. Last Three Games (NYJ, CHI, KC) – Passes Behind The Line of Scrimmage: 16/17 for 129 yards and a touchdown.
After the Joe Lombardi disaster, the last thing Charger fans would expect to want is more short passes. Unfortunately, Lombardi was right about one thing: throwing the ball short is crucial in today’s NFL, though he forgot in his scheme that a short passing game should only be a singular part of a game plan. Not the entire game plan.
On paper, the presented stat line looks great, but considering this stat line is across three games, that is a little under six behind-the-line-of-scrimmage passing attempts per game. That is simply not enough to sustain drives in the NFL. A strong screen game is very important, especially when you have very good yards after catching targets like Austin Ekeler, Gerald Everett, and Quentin Johnston. Three Offensive Victories (MIN, LVR, CHI) – Passes Behind The Line of Scrimmage: 28/28 for 174 and a touchdown.
The ability to sustain drives and run the clock is crucial in winning football games. In the Chargers’ three wins before the Jets, they averaged little over nine passes behind the line of scrimmage, nearly a 33% increase from their last three games average.
This increase gave the Chargers offense more time of possession and sustainability on offense, using the short passing game as an extension of the run game.
Note: Both ends of this statistic include the Bears game. Last Three Games (NYJ, CHI, KC) – Passes 10 Yards or Less From The Line of Scrimmage: 33/43 for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Once again, on paper, this looks acceptable, but in contrast to the other side of the equation, this does not come close. The one victory in the last three games, where the Chargers offense seemed to do okay, was the one game where the short passing game stood out. The Bears game alone accounted for 17 of the 33 total completions, 136 of the 255 yards, and both the touchdowns.
Against better defenses; the Jets and the Chiefs, the Chargers offense did not even really attempt to get a short passing game going. Only totaled 16 completions, for 119 yards, and no touchdowns. Predictably, the Chargers offensive totals for both of those games were extremely lackluster, and this was majority due to the lack of sustainability you gain from having a quick passing game. Three Offensive Victories (MIN, LVR, CHI) – Passes 10 Yards or Less From The Line of Scrimmage: 41/76 for 326 yards and 5 touchdowns.
In the three victories against Minnesota, Las Vegas, and Chicago, Kellen Moore called an offense that relied less on explosive play hunting and instead relied upon setting up the deep ball with a barrage of quick concepts.
Knowing that the offensive line without Corey Linsley has struggled makes staying ahead of a strong pass rush, as well as staying ahead of the chains even more important. To do so, utilizing Keenan Allen’s route-running prowess and Justin Herbert’s quick processor to its full capacity is a great way to minimize weaknesses and maximize strengths. This philosophy has shown up in the win column.
Note: Both ends of this statistic include the Bears game. Long Story Short
If the Chargers want to get back on track and stampede their way into the playoffs, they must go back to their first victory over the Vikings and use that game plan as a basis for their next opponents. All in all, The formula is simple. To win football games, you have to utilize the short passing game.
Main Photo: Kevin R. Wexler-USA TODAY NETWORK
__________________________________________________ ____________________-
The Chargers Offense Has Been Inconsistent This Season. The Chargers Need To Find A Way To Move On From Shakey Offensive Performances.
In week nine, The Los Angeles Chargers faced off against the New York Jets and won handily 27-6. This was to no thanks to the Chargers offense, who put up under 200 total offensive yards. So, what went wrong with this Chargers Offense and where can they improve? Chargers vs Jets Offensive Struggles
As mentioned before, the Chargers did not even put up 200 yards against the now 4-4 New York Jets. However, this is not a big surprise as the Jets boast one of the best defenses in the entire league, with a dominant defensive line and a very strong secondary. This combined with the Chargers showing some sluggish offensive moments in their last few games before week nine, the Bolts seemed bound to have a bad offensive game.
Previous to the Jets game, the Chargers had major second-half offensive struggles, putting up only six points second-half points on the weak Bears defense. The trend continues as the Chargers did not even score a single point in the second half against the Chiefs. So, why is this extremely talented Chargers offense struggling to put points up on the board?
The Chargers have not been the same since Justin Herbert’s finger injury, and whether it is directly correlated or not, it is the mark where the Chargers offense dipped in production. The Chargers also have suffered major attrition on the offensive side of the ball, losing star receiver Mike Williams, the offensive line leader, in center, Corey Linsley, and key playmaker, Joshua Palmer.
Injuries will hamper any team’s production, but that is not solely the main reason behind the offensive struggles. This lies in personnel choices, offensive playcalling, and the play of certain offensive groups. The Chargers will have to go toe-to-toe with one of the league’s best offenses in the Detroit Lions on Sunday, and to win this game, they need to improve offensively. How Can The Chargers Offense Improve to be Ready to Compete With the Dominant Detroit Lions
The Blueprint for an Offensive Improvement:
Better Protection Against Stunts
All football fans have heard the saying “It all starts up front” when it comes to building a successful team, whether it is offense or defense. The trenches are crucial, and the Chargers offense is lacking good communication amongst this offensive line group. The Chargers desperately miss their Center, Corey Linsley, and his ability to call protections and set up success for the young linemen around him.
The Chargers have a very young offensive line, and the lack of communication when passing off stunts to each other is apparent. Last year’s sixth-round selection, Jamaree Salyer was a standout tackle in replacement of Rashawn Slater last season and was asked to move to the other side, and inside to right guard. He has not looked the same and has struggled to identify the end man looping back inside to Salyer’s gap. His running mate, right tackle, Trey Pipkins also struggles to pick up and communicate against stunts, which leads to a disastrous right side of the offensive line in terms of pass protection, though both of these linemen are very talented and have shown to play respectable in the past.
Without communication amongst each other, defenses will continue to get free rushers right into Justin Herbert’s lap unblocked, and the Chargers offense will continue to struggle. Setting up Individual Players for Success
The Chargers usually do a good job using their offensive playmakers to their strengths. Thus far under Kellen Moore, it seems as though some players get that treatment and others do not. Stars like Keenan Allen and Justin Herbert are able to adjust to any scheme but are being used in a way that suits their skill sets. Herbert gets to use his quick processing in the short game, and his arm strength in the deep passing game. Allen uses his dominant route running in the route combinations given, as well as being placed in varied alignments to catch defenses slipping.
On the other hand, a few key offensive playmakers have yet to be let off the leash, and truly show what they can do. The first that comes to mind is Chargers first-round selection, Quentin Johnston. Highly touted for his yards-after-catch ability, Johnston has yet to get really any run as a YAC threat. In the one play where he was targetted on a shallow crosser, he made a few defenders miss and made what could have been a 3-4 yard gain to a 12-yard connection. More manufactured space for the young rookie would a long way in not only his production but the Chargers’ offensive totals in general.
Another pass catcher with YAC ability is starting tight end, Gerald Everett. The former Seahawk has shown to be a very hard player to tackle and always fights his hardest after a reception. Everett currently ranks T-8th amongst tight ends for yards after catch per reception. Everett also is first amongst all tight ends in missed tackles forced.
The Chargers simply need to get the ball to Everett more, as being ranked 29th in tight-end targets is simply unacceptable, when you have a playmaker like #7. Involve Joshua Kelley More
The last key to improvement for this Chargers offense is the most simple. The Bolts need to simply involve second-string running back, Joshua Kelley more. Kelley has been the best pure rusher on the team thus far, and it is not even close. The former UCLA product currently ranks 13th in yards after contact per attempt, 14th in yards per attempt, and fifth in explosive run rate. The Chargers run game has been pretty hit or miss with Austin Ekeler at the helm, and giving Kelley more carries would easily sure up some of those inconsistencies.
Outlook
All in all, the Chargers offense has been very up and down this season. To get out of this slump, the Chargers need to move on from shakey offensive performances against the Jets and the Chiefs. To do so, follow a simple blueprint of better stunt protection, more usage of your yards after catch threats, and lastly, involving Joshua Kelley more in your run game. The Chargers have a big test with the Detroit Lions this coming Sunday, and fans hope to see a more cohesive offensive plan.
Main Photo: Kevin R. Wexler-USA TODAY NETWORK
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