LA Chargers: 4 things that need to change to make the playoffs

Third change the LA Chargers have to make: Be a run-first offense

This is going to be a change that undoubtedly happens because of the change that the LA Chargers have at the quarterback position. The team has already alluded to a different offensive playbook and style next season because if they didn’t make changes, they would be in for a tough season.

Tyrod Taylor cannot succeed in the same gunslinging offensive-style that Philip Rivers has had over the last few seasons. On the contrary, Taylor can do things that Rivers has not been able to do for the Chargers for a decade and a half, and the team has to utilize that.

Despite having one of the best running back tandems over the last several years, the Chargers did not run the ball that frequently. Last season, the Bolts ranked 28th in the league in rushing attempts per game, averaging just 22.9 attempts.

Fewer runs on early downs, as well as fewer successful runs, often led to longer second and third-down conversion opportunities. That, in turn, is going to lead to worse conversion percentages as well as more interceptions as things are going to have to be forced.

With a better offensive line and a quarterback that opens up things such as RPOs and read options, the Chargers must transition to a run-first team that sets Tyrod Taylor up for more third and short chances.

If the team does it properly then they could best utilize Taylor’s skill sets. However, if Taylor is often faced with third and seven or longer, then I do not like the Chargers’ chances as he is not a guy that is going to pick those up very frequently.

In Taylor’s career, he has picked up 93 first downs on 285 combined rushing and passing attempts on third and seven-plus (32.6 percent). In comparison, Rivers converted 31 first downs on 87 rushing and passing attempts (35.6 percent) last season.