10 stats Chargers need to improve upon heading into 2020

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CARSON, CA – DECEMBER 22: Wide receiver Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Oakland Raiders out runs defensive back Desmond King #20 of the Los Angeles Chargers for a touch down in the first quarter of the game at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 22, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Chargers stat: Desmond King allows 87.2 percent of all passes thrown his way to be completed.

Of all corners with over 100 coverage snaps on the season, Desmond King allows the second-highest completion percentage in the NFL. King allowed 41 receptions on 47 targets; Casey Hayward, by comparison, allowed 26 on the same number of targets.

It’s been a rough year for King overall, whose biggest struggles have come in the return game. After averaging 13.8 yards per punt return last season, No. 20 was only able to produce returns at an average of 5.6 yards this season.

The completion percentage, however, is the most concerning, particularly because expectations were so high coming into the season. Last year, King improved on reception percentage, yards per reception, interceptions, passes defended, passer rating, and penalties, making huge strides in just his second season. King was routinely picked on in Foxborough last season, and it’s possible teams have found a way to go after the former All-Pro slot corner.

Chargers stat: -17

No, not minus No. 17 as in get rid of Philip Rivers. -17, as in the Chargers’ turnover differential from the 2019 NFL season. The problem isn’t just interceptions and fumbles from Rivers and his running backs, but also a failure by the defense to take the football away. As a matter of fact, the Chargers ranked dead-last in takeaways with 14, a disaster of a number for a defense with this much talent.

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