Chargers vs. Patriots: What LA must do on defense to win the game

The Chargers are seeking their first playoff win since 2018 on Sunday.

Here’s what Los Angeles wants to do on defense to come away with the win.

Start strong

The Chargers have suffered from two slow begins of their last two games, permitting Houston and Denver to score a mixed 24 first-quarter factors before buckling down and holding them to 15 mixed factors across the other three quarters. New England is an explosive offense, each on the floor – TreVeyon Henderson has 4 dashing touchdowns of over 50 yards – and thru the air, so LA holding them down from the opening bell will likely be essential in dictating their very own phrases of engagement.

Stand tall in the purple zone

While New England has the league’s best offense by EPA per play, its effectivity drops precipitously in the purple zone, the place the Patriots have ranked seventeenth in EPA per play this season. The run game specifically wilts inside the 20 – New England is ranked thirtieth in purple zone dashing offense, per Sumer Sports. LA has been one in every of the league’s best defenses at stopping touchdowns in the purple zone. That can have to continue to power New England to settle and preserve the Chargers’ offense in the game.

Keep the roof intact

Los Angeles stays the league’s best defense against the deep ball and Patriots quarterback Drake Maye’s catchable deep ball fee is sort of 30 share factors decrease when making an attempt them against two high shells like the Chargers’, however Jesse Minter’s unit has shown a contact of vulnerability in that space just lately. Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte has a 97th percentile depth of goal this season – his common depth of goal is 16.81 yards down the subject. If Boutte or Kyle Williams (ADOT of 19.05) will get matched up with cornerback Cam Hart and might stack him vertically, the Chargers could also be in hassle.

Generate a turnover (or two)

In all three of New England’s losses this season, Maye has thrown an interception and been sacked at the least thrice. LA’s move rush ought to have the option to maintain up that end of the discount – the Chargers had been tenth in the NFL with 45 whole sacks and Maye was sacked 47 instances, fourth-most in the NFL. But Maye has only thrown 8 interceptions this season and has been wonderful at discovering protected performs for the Patriots, so forcing a turnover to get the Chargers into an advantageous spot offensively could also be a tall order.

This article initially appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers’ defensive keys to victory against the Patriots

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Chargers vs. Patriots: What LA must do on defense to win the game