How The Los Angeles Chargers Can Survive The Best Offense They Have Faced All Year

As I don’t want to waste energy being disappointed in the Los Angeles Chargers for losing yet another game to the Chiefs, we’ll instead look forward. The Chargers face the Buccaneers soon and here are some things they should keep in mind: 

Los Angeles Chargers Must Have An Airtight Run Defense

Buccaneers running backs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White have been playing complementary roles this season and keeping the running game on track, as the Bucs currently rank eighth in rushing offense.

Irving has even been outplaying White at times and has six rushing touchdowns and 735 rushing yards on the season.

The Los Angeles Chargers run defense has picked up in the last couple of games as safety Derwin James Jr. is starting to heat up, while linebacker Daiyan Henley has been really consistent when it comes to the run.

The Chargers just have to make sure to not let any explosive plays through, and they should be in good shape. 

Don’t Let Buccaneers Quarterback Baker Mayfield Bake 

The pass rush was on point against the Chiefs on Sunday night as, all together, the Chargers got 12 hits, 11 hurries, and four sacks on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Outside linebackers, Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu got pressure on Mahomes right from the jump on a third-and-10 during the first drive of the game for a sack.  

Where the pass rush failed was deeper into the fourth quarter, where Mahomes was able to escape the pocket and get the ball to Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy for a first down. And then a little after that, Mahomes was able to escape again to the 34-yard line for a first down, inching the Chiefs closer and closer to field goal range.

Also Read: Los Angeles Chargers Key Offensive Players Injury Should Raise Concerns

The Los Angeles Chargers did the one thing you can’t do, which is allow Mahomes to make plays in crunch time, and Mayfield is similar. 

Mayfield has had quite the bounce back since he arrived in Tampa Bay in 2023. Right now he’s a few passing touchdowns away from last year’s career-high (34) and his passing yardage is also on pace to meet 2023’s.

He can extend plays with his legs and evade pressure, as well as really sling the ball.

In the last few games, James played a handful of snaps on the defensive line which has really helped to create some extra headaches for quarterbacks, so perhaps he can be used in that area in this next game, as he has sacked Mayfield by coming off the line in the past. If Mayfield gets on a roll, the Chargers pass rush needs to keep their foot on the gas. 

If He Plays, Shutdown Buccaneers Wide Receiver Mike Evans 

After returning from a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined until Week 12, Evans has become even more of a critical target after Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin was placed on IR due to an ankle injury.

Though the Buccaneers do have other weapons like wide receiver Sterling Shepard, their running backs, as well as tight end Cade Otton, it’s really Evans that the Los Angeles Chargers should be worried about.

Evans is a high-powered receiver capable of making those contested catches. The Chargers will need the skills of Henley as well as cornerbacks Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still, Molden, James, really anyone and everyone, to make sure that Evans is not able to be that difference-maker. 

Get The Offense Going in The First Half 

The Los Angeles Chargers offense was struggling in the first half against the Chiefs on Sunday night and had no touchdowns or field goals prior to the second half.

The run game was also struggling in the first half and managed to get going in the second, where running back Gus Edwards was able to get his second rushing touchdown of the season.

The second half was also where other receiving options started to emerge, as tight end Stone Smartt had two first downs, including a leaping catch to get a first-and-goal before Edwards’ touchdown a couple of plays later.

Running back Kimani Vidal also had some good runs, including breaking through for a first down during the third quarter.

But, all of these bright spots came during the second half and if the Los Angeles Chargers had been making plays like this throughout, the game wouldn’t have come down to a field goal. The Chargers relied too much on their defense to carry them through and they just cannot expect to win games if they can only get the offense going during one particular half.

Start Relying On Other Offensive Playmakers

The go-to’s on the Los Angeles Chargers this season have been wide receivers Quentin Johnston, and Ladd McConkey, running back J.K. Dobbins, and tight end Will Dissly. With some injuries popping up, especially for McConkey, Dobbins, and Dissly, as Dobbins is on injured reserve, McConkey was out this past game, and Dissly got hurt on Sunday, it’s time the Chargers start relying on others to see them through.

Smartt managed to make a couple of plays where it really counted against the Chiefs, while Vidal sparked the run game. Wide receiver Derius Davis has been earning more snaps outside of special teams. Wide receiver D.J. Chark could also be an option if he’s given more playing time. 

Johnston luckily is still healthy and did make up on Sunday for some less-than-stellar performances recently, but the Los Angeles Chargers have depth pieces, and they should start relying on some of them because they’ll need every single one as they head into the last few games of the regular season.