EL SEGUNDO – The Chargers headed into Week 9 of the 18-week season with the NFL’s stingiest defensegiving up a paltry 13 points per game. They are eighth in rushing yards allowed, 11th in rushing yards allowed, ninth in rushing yards allowed and 13th in yards allowed per game.

Surprised?

No, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter wasn’t surprised.

Happy?

Yes, Minter was pleased.

happy?

No, Minter was not satisfied.

“The way these guys have worked and bought in and played together and done that really since April, we felt like we had a chance to be a good unit,” Minter said Thursday. “So things went well at times. There were times when the boys had to step in and play roles. The preparation of the younger pieces was good. The coaches have done a great job with all the players available.”

But…

“It’s a week-to-week league,” Minter added, “so we don’t really sit back and say, ‘OK, this is where we are now.’ What we have to do this week is try to beat the Cleveland Browns. You’re as good as the last time, and they’re coming off their best performance of the season with the personnel change there (with Jameis Winston at quarterback). It’s a big challenge, one we’re excited about.”

OK, but what do you really think?

“Like how we play,” Minter said.

Minter wasn’t the only one to praise the defense while still expecting more from it.

“They’re doing some cool things,” linebacker Khalil Mack said, “but we’ve just got to build on that and stack on that and try to be even more dominant. Just from the schemes, to the mentality, to just everyone holding each other accountable… I feel like that was huge for us.”

Safety Derwin James Jr. said, “I feel like we’re in a good place, but we’re definitely not where we want to be as a defense. Nowhere we want to be. We work every week to improve. Every day, in fact, to get better. We’re just trying to do that.”

Chargers the offense benefited from the success of the defense, making the most of the league’s less-than-stellar standings. The Chargers are 24th in points per game (18.9), 23rd in net yards per game, 20th in net yards per game, 24th in net yards per game and 20th in yards per game.

In most ways, the Chargers defense has eased the burden on the offense.

“We’ve always thought very highly of our defense,” Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said. “We’ve always had very talented players. I had a great scheme. It was fun to watch this year. They forced a lot of turnovers, came up with big stops on third down. We’ve always thought very highly of our defense.

“As long as they do that (limiting opposing offenses to two touchdowns or less), it’s up to us (the offense) to be able to convert on third down and score points in the red zone. It makes our job a lot easier to have a defense like that where it’s a battle for field position.”

The Chargers didn’t quite do it choke the New Orleans Saints during a 26-8 win last Sunday. The Chargers went into bend mode but didn’t break, giving up 366 total yards, including 249 passing yards. Most of it came on the road late in the first half and late in the game.

It certainly wasn’t ideal, but the Chargers defense only gave up two field goals.

It also gives the Chargers (4-3) something to watch Sunday when they face Winston, running back Nick Chubb and the Browns (2-6) in Cleveland.

“Ultimately, you’re trying to stop a team from scoring,” Minter said. “For me, there’s a fine line to always take away yards and expose yourself to potentially big plays and always play tight man-to-man. You could really suffocate some teams and be one play away from a one-on-one on the outside and a 60-yard touchdown. I think there’s a balance there.”

Originally published: October 31, 2024 at 5:35 PM PDT