3 burning questions the Chargers answered vs Jets (and 2 they didn't)
By Jason Reed
Can the Chargers run the ball? No.
This is the most concerning part of this win against the Jets that could limit the Chargers in the future. It will get swept under the rug as the Chargers won this game and Austin Ekeler scored two touchdowns but it shouldn't be.
The Chargers have failed to run the ball consistently since Week 1 of the season and it has limited what the offense is able to do. Not having any kind of rushing attack allows opposing pass-rushers to pin their ears back and get after the quarterback. That is why we have seen Herbert deal with so much pressure on various third and longs.
There are two reasons why this has been happening. First is the fact that Ekeler simply is not a great between-the-tackles runner anymore. He is great in the passing game and is still a lethal weapon in the red zone. But he is not an every-down bell-cow back that can carry the load.
Joshua Kelley is the better between-the-tackles runner but he is not getting much run from his coaching staff. It is strange to see as the Chargers' most explosive runs up the middle came in Kelley's very limited looks against the Jets.
Additionally, the right side of the offensive line has really struggled along with a tight end room that cannot block. The Chargers decided to ignore the need for a blocking tight end in the offseason and it has really showed.
If the Chargers are going to take that next step offensively and as a playoff team then they are going to need to figure out how to answer this question.