Bolts From The Blue
While the Patriots may have been one of the more ideal matchups for the Chargers in the wild card round due to a lack of an elite pass rush, they’re still arguably the most balanced team in all of the NFL.
Mike Vrabel has his squad as a top 10 team both total offense and defense. Quarterback Drake Maye is having a MVP-caliber season and either side of the ball features up-and-coming young talent.
If the Chargers want to have a shot at winning this one, the elite defense will have to come to play along with the pass protection not throwing away one of their best matchup in recent weeks.
With all that said, let’s go ahead and jump into the numbers for this matchup.
Total yards per game: 333.8 (12th)
Points per game: 21.6 (20th)
Passing yards per game: 212.2 (18th)
Rushing yards per game: 121.6 (12th)
Top Performers
Passing: QB Justin Herbert – 3,727 passing yards, 26 touchdowns
Rushing yards: RB Kimani Vidal – 631
Rushing touchdowns: RB Omarion Hampton – 4
Receiving yards: WR Ladd McConkey – 789
Receptions: WR Keenan Allen – 81
Receiving touchdowns: WR Quentin Johnston – 8
Total yards allowed per game: 285.2 (5th)
Points allowed per game: 20.0 (9th)
Passing yards allowed per game: 179.9 (5th)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 105.4 (8th)
Top Performers
Tackles: LB Daiyan Henley – 103
Tackles for loss: EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu – 20
Sacks: EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu – 13
Passes Defended: CB Donte Jackson – 12
Interceptions: CB Donte Jackson, S Tony Jefferson – 4
Forced fumbles: EDGE Khalil Mack – 4
Fumble recoveries: 4 players tied w/ 1
Total yards per game: 379.4 (8th)
Points per game: 18.8 (4th)
Passing yards per game: 193,5 (9th)
Rushing yards per game: 128.9 (6th)
Top Performers
Passing: QB Drake Maye – passing yards, touchdowns
Rushing yards: RB TreyVeon Henderson – 911
Rushing touchdowns: RB TeyVeon Henderson – 9
Receiving yards: WR Stefon Diggs – 1,013
Receptions: WR Stefon Diggs – 85
Receiving touchdowns: TE Hunter Henry – 7
Total yards allowed per game: 295.3 (8th)
Points allowed per game: 18.8 (4th)
Passing yards allowed per game: 193.5 (9th)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 101.7 (6th)
Top Performers
Tackles: LB Robert Spillane – 97
Tackles for loss: EDGE Harold Landry, EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson – 10
Sacks: EDGE Harold Landry – 8.5
Passes Defended: CB Marcus Jones – 11
Interceptions: S Jaylinn Hawkins – 4
Forced fumbles: EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson – 2
Fumble recoveries: CB Marcus Jones – 3
