The Los Angeles Chargers are 2-2 heading into their bye week. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said the team won’t be getting extra rest, but taking the time to address things they need to ‘ get better at. ‘ He called the game free week, ‘Opportunity Week’ — “Opportunity to improve in areas that we need.
” Harbaugh acknowledged that the defense and the team as a whole could perform at a higher level. He has expressed on several occasions his desire to go from good to great and he said the team is very close to being great. Where they have been great is on defense.
They are the NFL’s second-best defense by EPA/play, allowing a successful play rate of just 37.8. They lead the league in EPA when defending against the run and are seventh against passing attacks.
They have managed to do this with several players missing time. Joey Bosa and Derwin James missed last week’s Kansas City Chiefs game and several members of the secondary missed practice time due to injury. Chargers Bye Week Checklist Get Healthy The Chargers are banged up at several important positions, including the most important position in the sport.
But their injury report last week featured 11 starters, not including Khalil Mack who was on the report for taking a not injury-related rest day. Many of those players like Kristian Fulton and Hayden Hurst were able to play, but ultimately player availability will be the Chargers’ best path to a successful 2024 season. Justin Herbert’s injury is the most mu.