INGLEWOOD — Not much went right for the Chargers on Sunday, but they at least improved their struggling run defense during the 27-24 loss against the New England Patriots at SoFi Stadium.
The Chargers’ defense contained the Patriots to 141 rushing yards on 39 carries for a 3.6 yards average per run. The Chargers entered Week 8 with a league-worst average of 162.5 rushing yards allowed per game.
The return of defensive tackle Justin Jones played a role in why the Chargers improved against the run. Jones hadn’t played since the season-opening win against Washington because of a calf injury.
“That’s not what lost us the game today,” Chargers coach Brandon Staley said about the run defense. “I felt like our run defense took an incredible step forward today. I thought we tackled extremely well. I thought we were really physical. Getting Justin Jones back was important. I felt like the way we played on defense today gave us a real chance to win.”
The Chargers’ defense got plenty of stops to keep the game close in the fourth quarter, but the offensive struggles allowed the Patriots to pull away. The Patriots scored 11 points off safety Adrian Phillips’ two interceptions against quarterback Justin Herbert.
Chargers safety Derwin James had 13 total tackles and a forced fumble that was recovered by safety Nasir Adderley. But the Chargers’ offense didn’t take the help from the defense.
JACKSON’S LONG RUN
Staley and running back Austin Ekeler challenged the other running backs to step up this week.
Justin Jackson responded with a 75-yard run in the second quarter to set up the Chargers’ second touchdown against the Patriots. It was the second-longest run by a Charger in the past decade. Former Chargers running back Melvin Gordon had an 87-yard touchdown run at New England in 2017.
Jackson, however, sustained a quad injury and finished with 79 yards on three carries. As a team, the Chargers had a productive rushing performance with 163 yards.
Ekeler, who was questionable with a hip injury heading into the game, had 64 yards on 11 carries with a rushing touchdown and six catches for 60 yards. It was the fifth time this season that he topped 100 total yards from scrimmage.
GUNNER PROBLEMS
Patriots punt returner Gunner Olszewski had a standout performance against the Chargers for the second consecutive season.
Olszewski recorded 80 yards on four punt returns Sunday. Last season, Olszewski had 145 yards on three punt returns during the Patriots’ 45-0 blowout against the Chargers.
“I saw them beat us decisively in that phase,” Staley said about the punt coverage. “Gunner had 20 yards per return. We lost the vertical field position in that area. … We did not cover well enough today.”
THIN SECONDARY
The Chargers were without their top two outside cornerbacks for most of the second half.
Asante Samuel Jr. left with a concussion and Michael Davis exited with a hamstring injury. Tevaughn Campbell and Ryan Smith filled in at outside cornerback.
“A lot of guys came in and did what they can to help when those guys went down,” James said.