While the Los Angeles Chargers offense has looked a complete shambles so far in the preseason, the defense has been impressive. The pass rush is affecting quarterbacks and the secondary is playing physical and sticky coverage. This has resulted in allowing just 16 points and 13 points in the first two games.
Chargers Defense Shines on 3rd and 4th Down and In Goal Line Situations
But there is one aspect that has been acutely impressive. The Chargers defense has really shown up when their backs are against the wall. The highest-profile example of this was a goal-line stand against Seattle in which the Seahawks drove 84 yards over 14 plays, taking over 8 minutes off the clock in the 3rd quarter. With the ball on the Chargers’ one-yard line, Shane Lee and Nick Niemann forced a one-yard loss on fourth down.
The Chargers’ defense was up against their goal line once again this week against the Rams. In this case, the team had given up the ball via fumble. With the short field, the Rams drove down quickly 32 yards. Again on the one, Deane Leonard came up with an interception on 4th and one.
But it isn’t just these high-pressure situations that prove their mettle. The Chargers have shut down offenses on 17 of 35 3rd downs. They have yet to allow a 4th down conversion, 0-3. They have only allowed offenses into the red zone just four times, they have held those drives to zero points twice.
The down-in and down-out defense will always be what truly wins games, but at the end of the day, stopping a team dead in their tracks in these high-level situations is as good as creating turnovers and stopping points from being scored, which also wins games.
