Bolt Beat
Fansided

Analyzing the first quarter of the Chargers season

By William Struthers

CARSON, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: The field is reflected in the mask of defensive back Desmond King #20 during warm ups for the game against the Houston Texans of the Los Angeles Chargers at Dignity Health Sports Park on September 22, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
CARSON, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: The field is reflected in the mask of defensive back Desmond King #20 during warm ups for the game against the Houston Texans of the Los Angeles Chargers at Dignity Health Sports Park on September 22, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 29: Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers makes a catch in the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 29, 2019, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 29: Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers makes a catch in the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 29, 2019, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Chargers offense: Continued

Quarterback/Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:

There’s not much to say about Rivers. Rivers, once again, is performing at an extremely high level. This is what most expected from Rivers, which shows how consistent and reliable he has been throughout his 15-year career. Philip has thrown for 1,254 yards and seven touchdowns with a 69.4 percent completion rate through four games, and he’s doing all of this with a few of his targets banged up.

Keenan Allen has been the Chargers MVP through four weeks. Allen has been one of the most underappreciated stars in the NFL for years, and he seems to be playing on a whole new level this season.

Keenan has been making defensive backs look silly in all four games this season. The footwork, the hands, the abilities in the open field, it’s all stuff Chargers fans are used to, and Keenan is now showing the rest of the world just how elite he is.

Allen has 34 receptions (nine of which have gone for 20+ yards) for 452 yards and three touchdowns. Keenan should have 69 more yards and another touchdown but a questionable offensive pass interference call in the Miami game negated that (still an awesome play and example of his elusiveness).

The most receiving yards in the league? That would be @Keenan13Allen ⚡️#BoltUp | @Chargers pic.twitter.com/tOS1hrFCoO

— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2019

Mike Williams has been less involved than I expected him too, but this is due to Keenan getting so many targets and Williams being slightly banged up. Don’t be surprised if Mike has a breakout game soon.

Travis Benjamin has been awful four games in, with his most meaningful moment being a potential game-tying score against the Houston Texans that he dropped. With Dontrelle Inman being placed on injured reserve after having a great game in Week 4, the Chargers might need to make a move to acquire another receiver or hope Andre Patton can step in and perform well (which I think he can).

I expected a huge season from Hunter Henry this year, which made it all the more disappointing when he suffered another knee injury. Luckily, Henry seems to be making good progress and could be back on the field within the next couple of weeks. With Sean Culkin, unfortunately, tearing his Achilles and Virgil Green also being banged up, the Chargers are going to get a good boost when Henry returns. New acquisition Lance Kendricks has looked reliable and could become more of an option for Rivers.

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