Jesse Minter shortly impressed Chargers gamers along with his calm demeanor throughout his first season as an NFL defensive coordinator, however because the Denver Broncos rolled up three consecutive landing drives final Thursday, even the unflappable Minter began to panic.
He had simply spent 4 days talking to his gamers concerning the correct response to make sure the prior week’s blowout loss to Tampa Bay can be a one-off. They couldn’t afford to make it a pattern.
“I was afraid that at one point, I might have spoken that into existence,” Minter stated with a slight smile.
Then a second-quarter sack from Joey Bosa sparked a three-and-out. The Chargers saved the Broncos out of the top zone for the final seven drives of the sport to carry on for a 34-27 win that put the workforce on the point of its first playoff berth since 2022.
“I do think that momentum is real,” Minter stated. “To sort of feel us as a defensive unit get our momentum back, it’s huge.”
By holding the Broncos to 6 factors within the second half, the Chargers reclaimed their lead as the very best scoring protection within the NFL, giving up 18.3 factors per recreation. In opposition to the New England Patriots on Saturday, the Chargers (9-6) may turn into simply the sixth workforce since 1970 to surrender 20 or fewer factors in eight street video games in a season, and the primary for the reason that 2010 Chicago Bears.
For a protection hoping to take care of momentum coming into the postseason, the matchup is a primary alternative. The Patriots’ 17.3 factors per recreation ranks thirtieth within the NFL. New England (3-12) ranks final in passing yards (178.5 per recreation). Rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who was drafted third in April, has had no less than one move intercepted in seven consecutive video games.
The Chargers, who can clinch a playoff berth with a win or a tie, will attempt to win with skinny secondary as security Marcus Maye (ankle) was positioned on injured reserve on Monday.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye seems to move towards the Buffalo Payments on Sunday.
(Jeffrey T. Barnes / Related Press)
The workforce claimed Maye off waivers on Nov. 27 to assist fill in after security Alohi Gilman was positioned on IR. Maye made a splash in his Chargers debut with a key interception in a win over the Atlanta Falcons, however left final Thursday’s recreation within the first quarter.
Already with out Elijah Molden, who missed the sport due to a knee damage, the Chargers instantly wanted follow squad call-up Kendall Williamson on protection. Coaches intimated to the 24-year-old, seventh-round select of Stanford that he can be energetic for the sport just a few days upfront, however the plan was prone to fill in on particular groups.
Then he performed 17 defensive snaps in his NFL debut, ending with one deal with.
“That’s the name of the game to step up when your number’s called,” cornerback Kristian Fulton stated after Thursday’s recreation of Williamson and Dicaprio Bootle, who additionally was elevated from the follow squad. “It’s a lot of credit to them because they don’t get a lot of reps in practice. So they stepped up big time.”
Williamson is simply the most recent participant to have an affect after toiling on the follow squad. Veteran security Tony Jefferson has turned his follow squad reps right into a beginning function, ending with 20 tackles in three begins since Gilman went on IR.
Jefferson, who missed one recreation due to a hamstring damage, performed all 64 defensive snaps towards the Broncos and had seven tackles.
“He’s a guy that, on the drop of a hat, can go in there and play multiple positions and go in there and execute the defense,” Minter stated, “get guys lined up, brings the confidence and brings a little bit of an edge when he’s out there.”
The Chargers haven’t opened Gilman’s follow window but, though the 27-year-old is eligible to return this week.
Molden was restricted in follow Tuesday after he labored with trainers on the sideline Monday, and cornerback Cam Hart was restricted too as he works by way of the concussion protocol. He missed final Thursday’s recreation.
And so on.
Punter JK Scott (sickness) and linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin) weren’t seen on the follow discipline for the second consecutive day. Perryman reinjured his groin final week in a return from a four-game absence. Backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke was working because the holder on place kicks with lengthy snapper Josh Harris and kicker Cameron Dicker. … Offensive lineman Trey Pipkins III missed follow due to a hip damage.
