Los Angeles Chargers: Positional grades for Week 5 loss against Denver

Chargers Grades: Continued

Linebackers: B

The linebackers own a lionshare of the blame when it comes to guarding against the run, but I went a little soft on them this go around because of the encouraging play of two individuals: Drue Tranquill and Kyzir White.

Starting with Tranquill, eight tackles and six solo was good for second best on the team as the rookie helped roam the middle of the field on some meaningful snaps. White gets a special nod for his interception that should have set the Chargers up in field position for a too-good-to-screw-up score, but the offense had other plans on their execution.

Nevertheless, exciting play when it comes to these two young performers. Veteran Thomas Davis looked every bit of 36 years old, a tough reality that the Bolts must make sooner rather than later.

Defensive Backs: B+

The highest grade of the day, aside from a single play (the 70-yard touchdown scored by Courtland Sutton) the secondary was strong against Flacco. Only Sutton and Lindsay caught multiple passes as the Jack Boys largely stood their ground.

The only problem with all this is that the Broncos simply didn’t have to pass. They had too great of a lead for too much of the game and were too effective running it to be bothered to air it out more than a few times.

I promised Bob Ross optimism in the opener, so here it is: Desmond King continues to play like an All-Pro and (again, one play aside) the secondary was dominant even in a losing effort. A lot of caveats go with that statement, but in a loss like this you have to stretch for some positivity.