
Week 13 brought another LA Chargers matchup against the Raiders and it was a heartbreaker. The Chargers just couldnāt rally to come back and tie up the game. They fell to another late-season āLā against the Raiders, just like last year. Except for this year, this loss means theyāre further and further away from playoff contention.
For the team overall, the receiver coverage wasnāt bad. PFF gave the team a grade of 75.5. They held Derek Carr to the lowest completion percentage of the season with just 53.3 percent. Thatās nine percent lower than his season average. But he was still able to rack up 250 yards passing. The reason for that is, this matchup also marked the lowest tackling grade of the entire season at 35.2 missing 12 tackles. The defensive backs missed 6 tackles on the season they account for 41 percent of the total missed tackles.
[brid autoplay=ātrueā video=ā1200990ā³ player=ā32134ā³ title=āChargers%20vs%20Raiders%20Week%2013%20Recap%20&%20Takeaways%20%20Justin%20Herbert%20Cant%20Overcome%20Coaching%20&%20OL%20Woesā duration=ā2783ā³ description=āIn this episode, Jake and Dan discuss the week 13 Los Angeles Chargers loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. What is wrong with this team? Is this team a playoff team? How to move forward, What needs to change? What went wrong? Who is to blame, and who is on the hot seat?Hosted by Jake Hefner and Dan Wolkenstein from the LAFB Network, Chargers Unleashed is a sports-focused podcast providing Los Angeles Chargers fans, writers, and listeners with news, team and game breakdowns, unique and refreshing perspectives, as well as exclusive special guest episodes with several NFL and Chargers players, HOF announcers, writers, insiders. and NFL Draft prospects. Chargers Unleashed prides itself on providing authentic Chargers coverage as a voice for Chargers fans, and in collaboration with Chargers fans worldwide. Tune into Chargers Unleashed for the latest Chargers highlights, Chargers recaps, Chargers news, Chargers predictions, Chargers players, and more.Chargers vs Raiders Week 13 Recap & Takeaways | Justin Herbert Canāt Overcome Coaching & OL WoesTwitter: @LAC_Unleashed | @DanWSports | @JakeTHefnerTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/LAC_UnleashedFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargersUnleashedOur website: https://www.lafbnetwork.com/chargers-unleashed/THANK YOU SPONSORS! This episode of Chargers Unleashed is sponsored and brought to you by:***LIQUID DEATH: Go get Liquid Death at your local Whole Foods Market, Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons, or 7-Eleven. Or find a Liquid Death retailer near you with their store locator tool at LiquidDeath.com/LAFB. Thatās LiquidDeath.com/LAFB.***Head over to BetOnline.ag on your desktop or your mobile device to sign up today and receive your 50% Welcome Bonus on your first deposit! Just use our Promo Code: BLEAV to get started.***Charger Bolt Family! Find them on Facebook and on Instagram for all of your Chargers memorabilia, upcoming player signings, free giveaways, raffles, tailgating experiences, and more!***RSSMā uploaddate=ā2022-12-06ā³ thumbnailurl=āhttps://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/22501/snapshot/1200990_th_1670305787.jpgā contentUrl=ā//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/22501/sd/1200990.mp4ā³ width=ā16ā³ height=ā9ā³]
Interestingly, the Chargers have been lackluster tacklers all season. All those broken tackles and missed tackles have contributed to less-than-stellar run defense and cost the Chargers a win in several games. According to PFF, the Chargers have already missed 117 tackles. In the whole of last season, they only had 150. No team tackling grade for any game has been above the 60s.
In addition to this matchup, their last game against the Raiders marked the second-worst team tackling grade of the season so far at 37. In that game, the DBs were to blame for seven of the teamās 11 missed tackles.
With all the concerns missed tackles and bad coverage bring itās a good time to take a dive into how the Chargers defensive backfield has played, against the Raiders and for the entire season.
*As a note, JT Woods, JaāSir Taylor, and Deane Leonard have been omitted from this article as they were each included in my rookie half-season breakdown during the bye week. Alohi Gilmanās Raider performance is also not included as he only played six total snaps during that game.
The Chargers Defensive Back Performances
Nasir Adderleyās Game Performance Against The Raiders
Nasir Adderleyās tackling grade for this game was the lowest itās been this whole season at 28.8, while his receiver coverage grade was 72.5 and his run defense grade was 31. According to Pro-Football-Reference he only had six combined tackles (solo and assisted) and he had three missed tackles, which was the most of any game heās played this season. Adderley stopped Foster Moreau during the first quarter and teamed up with other defenders to stop Josh Jacobs from making significant gains, but overall didnāt really have significant contributions during this game.
Hopefully, this is just another slight blip on the radar for him and heāll be on point the next game.
Reflections on Adderleyās Season-Wide Performance So Far
In terms of the stats, Adderleyās average tackling grade this season is higher than it was last season at 68.4 this year while his grade last year was 52.7. His receiver coverage grade is a smidge higher at 64.5 when last year it was 62.9. Heās only missed six tackles overall this season. His tackle number is on the lower side. Heās only made 48 combined tackles (solo and assisted together) according to Pro-Football-Reference. He had 99 last year, but heās definitely a player that has grown more than regressed this season.
Despite being benched during Week 5, Adderley has had a solid season for the Chargers. One of his best games was Week 7 against the Seahawks, where I distinctly wrote in my notes that āAdderley is everywhere.ā He made a great low tackle on Colby Parkinson during the second quarter when he was on a run. Adderley and Drue Tranquill were on par for the most combined tackles of that matchup at seven.
He had one interception called back because of a penalty against the Chiefs in Week 2, and had one that counted against Houston in week four during the first quarter. Adderley hasnāt been perfect, as he was one of the people during that Houston game who couldnāt get a hold of Dameon Pierce. Pierce ran for a 75-yard touchdown during the second quarter.
The Chargers-Texans game marked Adderleyās worst coverage grade of the season at 50.3. His run defense grade has definitely declined since last year. It was 70.7 last year and this year itās 50. But for the most part, the backfield looks a little more secure when heās in it. Iāve been singing his praises since the summer, especially with the way he stepped up when Derwin James was holding out for his contract.
Asante Samuel Jr.ās Game Performance Against The Raiders
Asante Samuel struggled in this Raiders matchup, especially when paired against Davante Adams. Out of the four receiving targets that Adams had when covered by Samuel, he had four first downs, 95 receiving yards, and one touchdown. This game marked Samuelās worst receiver coverage grade of the whole season at 34.5. His tackling grade was 61.4 and his run defense grade was 38.6. Samuel had a point where he was one-on-one with Adams and proceeded to slip and fell while in pursuit and Adams made it to the 40-yard line before being brought down by Bryce Callahan.
And then in the third quarter, Samuel was all over Adams again in the end zone and Adams still managed to make a spectacular catch for the touchdown. There was also a point in the second quarter where Jacobs just slips through the defensive line running in for a touchdown, and Samuel can be seen as one of the last people pursuing him as he guns it into the end zone. Samuelās coverage grade was so good last week and itās hard to see it fall so far this week.
Reflections On Samuelās Season-Wide Performance So Far
Samuelās performance for the most part has been on point this year. His tackling grade has definitely improved from last year when it was 35.5 to this year at 51. His combined tackles at 42 are only one behind what he had last year at 43. Heās also missed fewer tackles so far this season, given that he missed 11 last year and has only missed six this year. His receiver coverage grade is slightly higher this year. The previous season his grade was 57.4 and this year itās risen to 57.8. His run defense grade hasnāt declined that much as it was 49.7 in 2021 and this year itās 43.
He had some nice pressure on A.J. Green during last weekās game. He also helped Kenneth Murray have his first career interception when he tipped the ball during the Chargers-Seahawks game as Tyler Lockett was trying to make the catch and Murray grabbed it. The week two game against the Chiefs showed a bit of his receiver coverage as he had a great pass breakup on Jody Fortson. Samuel is one of those players like Derwin James that can be everywhere. Heās definitely improved over his first year and itās going to be interesting to see him develop even more in the league.
Bryce Callahanās Game Performance Against The Raiders
Bryce Callahan had a good game overall. His tackling grade was one of the best heās had of the season at 81.4. His coverage grade was 60.4 and his run defense grade was 72.2. He had a great interception during the first quarter of the game and ran the ball in for a touchdown, marking his third touchdown of the season.
He had slight issues covering Adams, after the flee flicker between Jacobs and Derek Carr, Callahan was the last one seen pursuing Adams as he ran into the end zone. He did his best to contend against Hollins and Adams and also helped to make some tackles on Jacobs. Callahan has had sold performances this season and though this game wasnāt perfect, it was an all-around good performance.
Reflections on Callahanās Season-Wide Performance So Far
Callahanās tackling grade was higher when he was with Denver at 49.7 and so far his tackling grade with the Chargers this season has been 46.2. His actual combined tackles are higher this year with 40 as opposed to the 29 combined ones he had in Denver, but he has missed more tackles this year. He has missed 10 and only missed six the previous year. This has been the most tackles heās missed in all the seasons heās played in the league. And in terms of receiver coverage grades, in 2021 when he was with Denver last year his grade was 67.9, and this year itās 65.4.
Callahan has been a reliable coverage unit this year. He did struggle a little against James Connor and Kyler Murray last week but otherwise is good at those one-to-one matchups. And actually, his run defense grade has gone up this year from 28.3 in 2021 to 55.3. Heās also managed an interception during each game heās played against the Raiders this year. He went head-to-head with Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey during the 49ers game. Though he was less successful in terms of coverage during that game, itās clear he doesnāt back down from a challenge.
Heās not only good with receiver coverage, but heās also not afraid to go up against quarterbacks and got some pressure on Patrick Mahomes during Week 12 and had two hurries during that matchup, which PFF defines as āwhen the passer is hurried by the defender.ā
During one of Brandon Staleyās press conferences he said āBryce, he has a lot of experience. He can do all the jobs at a premium level. He can cover man-to-man. He has great zone instincts. He can cover different types of players because he has a big engine for a nickel. There are some nickels that are speed deficient that just have quickness, he has both. He has quickness. He has deep speed. He can play outside corner. He has a strong lower (body).ā
Callahan was a great addition to this team this year and is an integral part of the Chargers coverage and tackling.
Reflections on Alohi Gilmanās Season-Wide Performance So Far
Alohi Gilman has improved on the tackling front. His tackling grade last year was 49.4 while this year itās 72.6. Heās played fewer snaps this year than last but heās almost reached his previous yearās tackle number which was 42 combined tackles. This year he has 33. Heās only missed three tackles so far this year when he missed eight last year. His receiver coverage grade has gotten slightly worse. Last year was 59.6 and this year is 56.1, but that could just be because of the limited playing time heās had. And his run defense grade has declined slightly this year as it was 55 last season and is now 47.4.
He replaced Adderley a lot during the Charges game against Arizona last week and did help to tackle Connor who got loose and picked up 20 yards at the start of the third quarter. He also had the best overall defense grade against the 49ers and tackled McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk. One of which prevented Aiyuk from scoring a touchdown.
He had a fumble recovery during Week 11 against the Chiefs and his first interception of the season during Brownās game in Week 5. Heās had quite a bit of production for the limited time heās been on the field for the Chargers and definitely has firmly planted himself in that third safety spot.
Michael Davisā Game Performance Against The Raiders
Michael Davis had a pretty solid game against the Raiders. His tackling grade was 78.1 and his receiver coverage grade was 80.5, which is his highest of the entire season. His run defense grade was 66.4. Davis was paired with Adams throughout and did a great job matching up with him. Out of the six targets Adams had when Davis was in coverage, Davis kept him to 22 receiving yards with only two first downs.
Davis had a beautiful pass breakup too during the start of the fourth quarter where Adams jumped up to catch the ball in the end zone and Davis just reaches in and tips the ball out of Adamsā hands. It was so satisfying to watch. Davis is definitely miles ahead of where he was last season and the fact that he can go head-to-head with such powerful receivers like Adams is such a testament to that.
Reflections on Davisā Season-Wide Performance So Far
Davis has been starting here and there throughout the season, especially in the last few weeks amidst some of the injuries that have plagued the Chargers. His tackling grade has improved from last year. This season itās 71.4 whereas last year it was 58. His receiver coverage grade has also improved to 63.7 while it was only 54.4 last year. Heās very close to his combined tackle number from last year, which was 54 as heās currently at 46. So far heās only had four missed tackles this year when he had eight last year. And his run defense grade has improved from 49.4 last year to 62.6 this year.
He was electric during the Cardinals game last week and had a nice hit on Robbie Anderson during the second quarter. When he was positioned on the defensive line, he came up with a great sack on Kyler Murray. And he almost picked off the ball from Murray on the last drive of the game.
Whenever heās in, Davis always makes an impact and seems to shine. Especially with his one-on-one skills. He did well in the Broncos game as well when he replaced J.C. Jackson and had great coverage on Courtland Sutton with a pass breakup. Though Davis may not be the first option in the lineup, heās a good option.
Derwin Jamesā Game Performance Against The Raiders
Derwin Jamesā tackling grade was pretty low this game at 56.3. His receiver coverage grade was 66.2 while his run defense grade was 72.6. He only missed one tackle during this game. He helped out with a few tackles on Jacobs but I expected him to be more impactful in stopping Adams and pressuring Carr than he was. I lost him in this game and thatās not a usual occurrence when heās on the field.
Reflections on Jamesā Season-Wide Performance So Far
Iāve talked a lot about James throughout most of my Chargers articles this year. I think itās clear Iām always āTeam Jamesā and that heās always performing up to expectations for the Chargers. His tackling grade has been a little lower this year than last. Last year it was 79.8 while this year itās 67. He had 106 combined tackles this year, while last year he had 118 and has had 13 missed tackles so far this year when last year he had 12. His coverage grade is a little less than it was last year, which was 76.6, and this year itās 68.4.
The great thing about James though is that when heās lacking in one area, he makes up for it in another. His pass rush grade is higher this year at 91.1 while last year it was 86.2. His sack number this season is already tied with the highest sack number of his career, which was four in 2018. So hereās hoping we see a few others by season end so he can surpass that number. His run defense grade is almost the same as last year. In 2021 it was 76.5 and this year itās 76.9.
James has literally been everywhere trying to piece this defense together. He was all over Travis Kelce during the two Chargers matchups with the Chiefs, including that body slam play from Week 2, though unfortunately, he had a holding penalty on Kelce during Week 11, and shortly after that he couldnāt stop Kelce from running into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. He had a great sack on Mahomes in that game.
James is definitely someone that players are scared of, especially quarterbacks, and that was on display during the 49ers game when Jimmy Garoppolo had a delay of game and didnāt pass the ball when under pressure from James.
You can see the toll that all this defensive responsibility takes on James, especially during the Broncos game where it seemed like James had to always get to the tackle when other Chargers, like Jackson, couldnāt. Chargers head coach, Brandon Staley talked about how James is doing the job of six players and that itās a huge tax understanding what to do and how to do it with the six other roles heās taken on, but he knows heās a āLeBron James type player where he can just do everything.ā And heās right because, without him, Iām not sure how far the Chargers wouldāve gotten this season.
Reflections on JC Jacksonās Season-Wide Performance
JC Jackson is currently out for the season after week sevenās game against the Seahawks. His tackling grade for the season ended at 38.8 when with New England last year it was 43.7. His receiver coverage grade was quite low at 28.1 when last year it was 80.3. He ended his first Chargers season with 15 combined tackles when he had 58 last year.
Jackson had quite a tumultuous season. He was benched in week six for poor performance and then in Week 7, he looked like he was turning things around, and got hurt. And well, the benching was called for. He did let Greg Dulcich get a touchdown while he ran over to try to get in coverage and was too late. Jacksonās run defense grade is one of the worst of the starting lineup at 60.2.
He also had a missed tackle on Jordan Akins during Week 4 against the Texans, and it took Samuel grabbing Akinsā ankle to trip him up as he got the first down. The Chiefs game during Week 2 was just more evidence that he couldnāt contend against physical, fast receivers like Kelce and Justin Watson.
He missed Kelce on a tackle in the second quarter. Watson beat Jackson while he was in coverage for a touchdown in the third quarter. Since he had that surgery for his ankle during the summer, he just hadnāt been the same, and thatās unfortunate for someone who was given a five-year, $82.5 million contract. Iām hoping that after his injury, heās able to come back and be the player the Chargers expected to get from New England.
