NFL San Diego Chargers

San Diego Chargers’ 2014 Midseason Grade

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Chris Humphreys - USA TODAY Sports

Chris Humphreys – USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Chargers started the season with what looked like a difficult schedule, and suffered a tough loss in their first game against the Arizona Cardinals. It was a game that they should have won if not for miscommunication towards the end that resulted in a fumbled snap. Yet they were able to rebound with five strong wins, as quarterback Philip Rivers looked like an early MVP candidate and the defense was playing extremely well. Unfortunately, the team came back down to earth with two losses to leave them at 5-3 halfway through the season.

The offense has looked strong, as the team has utilized short passes to control the clock while mixing in deeper throws to loosen up the defense. Antonio Gates looks a decade younger, proving that he is still a reliable target in the red zone with nine touchdowns. Keenan Allen, Malcom Floyd, and Eddie Royal all have over 370 yards receiving, as Rivers has done an excellent job of spreading the ball around.

The running game, which was supposed to be led by a “three-headed attack”, has been reduced to undrafted rookie Branden Oliver, who has played surprisingly well. The team is still averaging less than a hundred yards a game, and the offensive line has struggled to create holes for the running backs. Ryan Matthews needs to return healthy to give the team another option.

Defensively, the Chargers look much stronger than they did a season ago. The secondary has improved immensely with the additions of Jason Verrett and Brandon Flowers, although they both have struggled to stay injury-free. The defensive line has been able to apply more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and Corey Liuget has been one of their best players all season long. Their linebackers have been serviceable but are playing without two starters in Manti Te’o and Melvin Ingram. If those two can come back, then the defense can be scary good down the stretch.

The Chargers’ schedule gets a little tougher in the second half of the season, but they should be able to return a number of players by then, especially after their bye in Week 10. Rivers has been playing extremely well, and needs to keep up the pace if the team wants to contend for a Super Bowl. He has great mastery of the ball-control offense. The defense will get even better when some of their starters return, and their special teams has been playing very well. The Chargers have proved that they have the talent to make a run in the playoffs, but need to keep putting in the work every week to make it happen.

Midseason Grade: B

 

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