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NFL: 10 teams that are better (or worse) than their records indicate

By Luke Dahlgren

Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) runs against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) runs against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 18, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Dontrelle Inman (15) catches a touchdown pass in the endzone against Green Bay Packers safety Micah Hyde (33) in the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Dontrelle Inman (15) catches a touchdown pass in the endzone against Green Bay Packers safety Micah Hyde (33) in the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

BETTER: San Diego Chargers (2-4)

One of the main reasons the Chargers sit at 2-4 rather than 4-2 is their offensive imbalance. The Chargers churn out an average of 433 yards of offense per game, and 343.6 of those yards come from Philip Rivers and the passing game. Both of these numbers pace the league fthrough six games.

This imbalance has been due to two things:

  1. Rivers has been fantastic in 2015; he’s completed 70.1% of his passes for a league leading 2,117 yards – with an average of 8.3 yards per attempt – and he’s doing it while attempting 43.2 pass plays per game. Rivers’ receiving corps in San Diego is talented, namely WR Keenan Allen, TEs Antonio Gates and Ladarius Green and pass-catching running back Danny Woodhead, but it has been Rivers who has truly impressed.
  2. The rushing game has been non-existent. Woodhead and rookie Melvin Gordon have not been consistent between the tackles. Using the advanced method of simple arithmetic, the team’s offensive stats show that the Chargers have only been able to produce 86.7 yards per game on the ground. This is good for 29th out of 32.

On the other side of the ball, the Chargers defense has been solid but unspectacular. Through Week 6, they have allowed 26.8 points per game

Sunday’s dramatic 27-20 loss encapsulated the San Diego Chargers’ issues. In spite of Rivers outpacing Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in yardage 503-255, San Diego played most of the game from behind with urgency. Gordon’s early fumbles and injury forced the Chargers to turn to Woodhead, and therefore a pass heavy attack.

Rivers finished with SIXTY-FIVE attempts, the last one batted away from Woodhead by Damarious Randall on fourth and goal. The San Diego attack ended predictable and easy to contain; they gave it to Woodhead on running plays near the end, then tried throwing on fourth down.

Final record: 8-8

The official record of both the Chargers and (with the exception of last year) the Dallas Cowboys, this seems to be the position that the Rivers-era Chargers seem most comfortable. The hardest games left on the Chargers schedule are their two meetings with the Denver Broncos, who appear capable of having their defense outscore their offense this season. Like many times in the past ten years, a late season surge should be in store for the Chargers.

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