Bolts From The Blue
The Chargers survived the Dolphins 29-27 on Sunday afternoon thanks to some late-game heroics by the offense.
Roster-wise, it was the worst-looking outing for the Chargers this year. They were playing their fifth and sixth offensive tackles, their third and fourth-string running backs, and were without top wideout Quentin Johnston. Still, they found a way to get back in the win column.
How was that hard-fought and gritty win reflected in the grades from Pro Football Focus this week? Let’s go ahead and find out!
Best (min. 20 snaps)
WR Ladd McConkey – 79.3
WR Tre’ Harris – 68.9
RB Hassan Haskins – 66.6
QB Justin Herbert – 66.0
RB Kimani Vidal – 62.4
McConkey has been on a tear the past two games, called-back punt return touchdown or not. He led the way for the Chargers to get into field goal range with a nifty juke on a Dolphins defender before racing 40+ yards. Rookie Tre’ Harris also had a decent day, catching a career-high four passes for 27 yards.
It was a career day for Kimani Vidal who rushed for 124 yards on 18 carries. He also caught a short touchdown when the Chargers needed every point they could find to win in Miami.
Worst
OG Mekhi Becton – 37.6
OT Bobby Hart – 37.7
TE/FB Tucker Fisk – 46.0
C Bradley Bozeman – 49.3
OT Austin Deculus – 50.1
The right side of the line was simply atrocious. The thing is, Hart at least has an excuse since he hasn’t played in a NFL game in several years. Becton? He was pretty bad across the board. His run block grade of 34.9 was the worst on the team and his 49.3 pass block grade was second worst among offensive linemen.
Both Bradley Bozeman and Austin Deculus each let up four pressures to the Dolphins. If Bozeman’s pace continues, he’ll be the first center since 2019 to allow 40 or more pressures in a season.
Best
CB Benjamin St-Juste – 82.3
S Tony Jefferson – 74.6
S Derwin James – 71.7
S Elijah Molden – 71.5
CB Donte Jackson – 71.4
St-Juste had some rough plays in coverage, but he made up for them with an interception of Tua Tagovailoa that helped swing momentum in the Chargers’ favor. Jefferson also picked off his second pass of the season on Miami’s first drive of the game when a pass bounced off the hands of wideout Jaylen Waddle.
In the team’s first game after trading away Alohi Gilman to the Ravens, it’s nice to see all three of their top safeties make it inside the top five this week.
Worst
EDGE Odafe Oweh – 36.6
LB Troy Dye – 44.0
EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu – 46.6
DT Otito Ogbonnia – 57.4
DT Jamaree Caldwell – 57.9
Oweh had a rough first game with the Chargers, mainly as a tackler and run stopper. He finished with four pressures (led team) with one tackle for loss and his first...
