LA Chargers: Team grades from a wild OT win in Vegas
LA Chargers linebackers and secondary
The second level played really well tonight. Denzel Perryman being out for this game was a massive loss with his run stuffing ability but there was a really good next man up energy.
Nick Vigil had the defenses lone sack of the game. Kenneth Murray was flying around the field and played decently well. They should have him in the pass rush role more in the next few games though.
It could’ve been a better game in pass coverage for certain guys, but I’ll take a solid effort against the run.
The secondary was underwhelming. Mariota should not have been able to have the game he has throwing the football. I didn’t understand the Chargers not putting a QB spy on Mariota and refusing extra coverage on Darren Waller.
Without Derwin James, the Chargers just don’t have someone who can stop elite tight ends. Michael Davis did an OK job in the last Raiders game when he covered Waller, but he got burnt quite a bit in this one.
Casey Hayward looked out of his element. A dropped pick proved to be costly but he was just getting pushed around by the receivers. That’s not great, especially when Las Vegas was missing Henry Ruggs and Hunter Renfrow for most of the game.
Rayshawn Jenkins picked a bad time to have his worst performance of the season as well. There should be some slack cut here because Mariota being the quarterback was such an adjustment, but to quote Coach Lynn, he’s a “backup for a reason”.