LA Chargers: 3 Keys to avoiding a close game vs Eagles in Week 9
By Josie Rohach
2. Make stops in the red zone
Another hole in the Charger's defense comes in the red zone. The Bolts are allowing opponents to score touchdowns on 61.54 percent of their trips to the red zone. That puts them at No. 18 in the league. Below-average ability to come up with clutch stops or force teams to settle for three points is going to keep putting LA in close game situations, and they need to avoid that against Philly.
The Eagles are currently boasting the fourth most efficient red zone offense with 72.41 percent of attempts converted to touchdowns. That mismatch needs to be a focus going into this week. Letting Philadelphia have their way with attempts to the end zone is not going to put the Chargers in a place to win pretty on Sunday.
Chargers came into this game with the 21st-ranked red zone defense, and they had stopped ZERO opponents from scoring in goal-to-go situations.
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) October 31, 2021
Also had the 32nd-ranked rush defense.
Patriots now 1-for-3 at getting to the end zone in their red zone trips. No runs on 3rd/4th down
Thankfully, the Chargers look to be making strides here too based on last week's performance against New England. The defense held steady and came up clutch on the Patriots attempts, allowing just 25 percent of red zone trips to finish with a touchdown. Drue Tranquill was a big part of that effort. Despite battling a chest injury, the linebacker brought the pressure and intensity to the red zone that the Chargers had been lacking. Look for him to continue boosting his unit in Week 9.
With some help from mended injuries, this LA defense seems to be looking up. Since the offense has fixed much of their early red zone woes, the pressure if on for this defense to continue developing and give their quarterback as much time with the ball as possible.