The Los Angeles Chargers have a perfect 2-0 record, but not every aspect of the team has been perfect so far. Here are three statistics revealing weak spots on the Chargers so far:
Bradley Bozeman's True Pass Set Grade: 26
The Chargers' ceiling on offense was going to be limited if veteran center Bradley Bozeman struggled. So far, Bozeman has, and as a result of it Greg Roman's offense has not been strong to start the season. Per ESPN's Ben Baldwin, Bozeman's true pass set grade of 26 is the third-worst mark among starting NFL centers. True pass sets exclude screens, chip help, double teams, and so on, allowing the metric to really hone in on how a lineman fares in true dropback situations.
Through two weeks, the #Chargers offensive tackle duo of Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt rank 2nd in the league in true pass set blocking grade (no screens, chip help, double teams, etc.), trailing only the duo in Philadelphia. Per @benbbaldwin. pic.twitter.com/CfMKqFIxcs
— Guilty As Charged Podcast (@GACPodcast17) September 18, 2024
The number is worrisome given the Chargers will face Cam Heyward and Chris Jones the next two weeks. If Justin Herbert is to have any hope of running an efficient offense, Bozeman has to be far better than he has been so far.
Gus Edwards' Entire Stat Line
Among 40 running backs with 15 or more carries in 2024, Gus Edwards is 35th in yards per attempt and 38th in yards after contact per attempt. He is one of only two running backs to have not forced a missed tackle yet, and his breakaway rate is zero.
There was an odd exchange this offseason regarding Edwards' health, where head coach Jim Harbaugh first mentioned the veteran back head surgery before reversing course the next day. Regardless, Edwards did miss time, and so far the film and numbers suggest he is not quite himself.
Chargers Defensive Pressure Rate: 14.5
No one will complain about Jesse Minter's defense thus far, which is the best defense by EPA/Play and Defensive Success Rate through two weeks. Still, and particularly with the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4, there is room for improvement in other areas so the team can sustain its defensive success against far better offenses than that of the Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers.
A pressure rate of 14.5 is, shockingly, third-worst in the NFL this season behind the Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles. After Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, Chargers defensive linemen have just 12 pressures through two games. This is not a concern just yet, as both the Raiders and Panthers ran a quick and vanilla offense that did not allow the Chargers to pin their ears back and rush against true pass sets often. Still, it is something to monitor ahead of the next two games before the bye week.
