ESPN analyst says this is the Chargers' top 'concerning weakness'

1 week ago 2

With the playoffs just a week away, ESPN's Aaron Schatz identified the most concerning weakness of each team that has clinched a postseason berth.

It may come as a surprise to Chargers fans who are expecting the team's offensive line to be in this category. But instead, it is covering tight ends.

"The Chargers rank just 27th in DVOA against tight ends, and this has not improved in recent weeks," Schatz said. "Opposing tight ends have a 77% catch rate against the Chargers since Week 9. The Chiefs' Travis Kelce and Eagles' Dallas Goedert each had 70-yard games against Los Angeles in recent weeks."

While safety Derwin James Jr. often handles tight end coverage responsibilities effectively, he cannot do so on every play. The struggles arise when linebackers are forced into those coverage situations.

After posting coverage grades of 69.4 and 71.3, linebacker Daiyan Henley has a career-low 51.1 grade this season, according to Pro Football Focus. Henley is the team's best coverage linebacker. Denzel Perryman is not known for his ability in pass coverage.

While keeping quarterback Justin Herbert upright is the No. 1 priority in the playoffs, it's imperative that the Chargers key in on this, especially potentially facing good pass-catching tight ends, like Patriots' Hunter Henry and Bills' Dalton Kincaid.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: ESPN analyst says this is the Chargers' top 'concerning weakness'

Read Entire Article