INGLEWOOD, CA — The Los Angeles Chargers have a new offense drafted by coordinator Kellen Moore and a defense full of continuity and depth in order to make significant strides this season towards success. Sixth year safety Derwin James, Kenneth Murray Jr., Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack and new comer linebacker Eric Kendricks were the a few of the ones to anchor and guide this defense to another level. Head coach Brandon Staley finally had the personnel to execute to defined defense that would have an identity of talent, toughness and key play making at the most imperative times.
On Sunday in the opening game of the regular season, the Miami Dolphins led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa carved up this Chargers defense like a Thanksgiving turkey, with 468 yards passing, three touchdowns and only sacked once. Not the number you expect an opponent to put up on this talented Los Angeles defense, especially as the Dolphins had 536 yards of total offense.
“As a defense we didn’t make the stops we were suppose to make and like I said we gotta be better for the offense, we’ll be better and ain’t nobody panicking,” Chargers safety Derwin James after the loss.
The Dolphins chipped away with sharp passing and precise rote running led by wide receiver Tyreek Hill who left the Bolts dismantled in the second half as they had no answer for his two touchdown, 215 yard catching performance along with Jaylen Waddle who was another target that became a thorn in the side of the Bolts. Waddle finished four receptions and 78 yards in the win. The positive aspect for the Chargers were their run defense that only allowed 70 yards on 20 carries for the game.
“I don’t think that we played the right leverages in the secondary and I didn’t think that we rushed the quarterback effectively enough,” Staley said. “Give credit to Miami. They had a really good gameplan and they made a lot of plays.”
The optimism on the Chargers remains despite the tough loss down the stretch. Wide receiver Keenan Allen is confident he knows what it will take for this team to get back on track and both sides to be effective.
“I think getting off the field on 3rd downs defensively that’s going to be big for us. Giving the offense more opportunity,” Allen said post game.
There is no need to panic this early in the season, but there is cause to clean up the mistakes on defense in order to get in the win and have a golden opportunity to not only achieve the goal of making the playoffs but winning a playoff game under the Staley administration.
The Chargers travel to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at 10AM PT on CBS.
