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Offense
Highlighting the Chargers offensive performance is left tackle King Dunlap. Dunlap had an outstanding grade of +5.7, led mostly by a run blocking mark of +4.6. Even with missing two games with a concussion, Dunlap has the highest run blocking grade out of all offensive tackles so far in 2013, but he has allowed 10 quarterback disruptions in only 139 pass blocking snaps, which brings his overall grade down a pinch. Interesting to note that first-round pick D.J. Fluker has allowed 11 disruptions on 209 snaps for a pass blocking grade of +5.6, but a negative grade in the ground game. Even though the grades conflict with their reputation, the massive improvement at offensive tackle in 2013 is a huge reason why the offensive line ranks 8th in Pass Blocking Efficiency from PFF and 6th in adjusted sack rate from Football Outsiders.
Rookie sensation Keenan Allen also made his mark on week 6. His 9 catches for 107 yards and a touchdown was good for a +2.2 overall grade. He had 12 total targets, which accounted for 80% of the targets for wide receivers, (Vincent Brown had 3). Philip Rivers had a 129.5 QB rating when targeting Allen in this game, and has a 121.4 rating on targets over the course of the season. Allen recently joined Fluker on PFF's Race for Rookie of the Year, and he will only get better from here on out.
Danny Woodhead continues to prove his value with a +1.7 overall grade vs. the Colts. He is PFF's 4th ranked halfback, mostly due to his work in the pass game. He leads all running backs in both receptions (36) and touchdowns (3).
On the not so bright side, Johnny Troutman had a disappointing game in his third start of the season. He allowed 5 QB pressures, had a poor game run blocking, and committed two penalties. His -6.1 overall grade reminds Charger fans of what they saw out of undrafted rookie Michael Harris in 2012.
Defense
Kendall Reyes appears to be progressing, at least as a pass rusher. He is still PFF's lowest rated 3-4 defensive end, as his -8.4 rating is more than twice as bad as any other player at the position. However, while he only had 2 QB pressures in the first three games, he has 11 in the last three including a pair of sacks. He is still getting washed out vs. the run and his counterpart Corey Liuget is having a rough season as well.The struggle of the defensive to stop the run as well as apply pressure is a main reason the Chargers rank 29th against both the run and the pass according to FBO and 31st in overall defense according to PFF.
In an up and down season so far, Eric Weddle had his best game of 2013. He notched two stops with no missed tackles (usually not a problem for Weddle but it has been this season) as well as a +2.5 grade in coverage. He allowed 4 catches but only for a total of 14 yards.
It's very clear that Manti Te'o still needs seasoning, and that's okay considering he missed almost all of preseason. He had two missed tackles in only 32 snaps and had a poor day in the passing game with a -1.2 coverage grade. You can find a great breakdown of Te'o against the Colts here.
How crazy would it have been to have Melvin Ingram and Dwight Freeney on the field together? The first-round pick learning from the future Hall of Famer, with nearly identical body styles and potential to get to the quarterback. Okay, the Chargers probably wouldn't have signed Freeney if Ingram didn't tear his ACL, and thinking about the duo is torture to Charger fans watching Thomas Keiser and Larry English, so I should stop. Keiser and English had 4 QB disruptions on Monday night on a total of 49 rushes. The Chargers need help at OLB but unfortunately there is nowhere to turn.
Peek to Next Week: Jacksonville Jaguars
- If the Chargers can contain Justin Blackmon, they should have no problems coming away with the W. Blackmon post and astronomical 4.13 Yards per Route Run according to PFF in the two games since coming back from suspension. To give you a little context, the highest receiver playing at least 50% of the teams passing snaps is Desean Jackson at 2.82, and the highest Charger is Keenan Allen at 1.89. Blackmon ran 683 routes last year, and at his current output that would put him at about 2,820 yards over a 16 game span. Double cover him, triple cover him, but whatever you do Pagano, don't let this guy beat you.
- Left guard Will Rackley is a huge liability on the offensive line, as only one guard rates lower than him. This could be Liuget's chance to have a breakout game
- Chad Henne is expected to start. His -5.5 grade puts him at 31 out of 38 qualifying quarterbacks. Normally that would be good for an opposing defense, but with this Chargers defense you never know.
- Sen'Derrick Marks is the lone bright spot for the Jaguars front seven, as he has applied 19 QB pressures at DT.
- Overall, the Jags rate dead last in overall offense and defense according to PFF. What does that mean for Charger fans? Be very, VERY cautiously optimistic.