Chargers News: Third-Down D Has Been Among NFL's Best... Except For This Issue

Sloppy plays make sloppy outcomes.

The Chargers have won two in a row, could have easily been three, could have even been four.

But the big reason that it is just two is one thing, penalties.

The Chargers' defense has consistently shown flashes of great potential but a common reoccurring theme rises up in these tight games, penalties, as Daniel Popper of The Athletic details.

"A quick look at the numbers would appear to show the Chargers as one of the best third-down defenses in football. They are allowing conversions on 31.9 percent of their third downs, sixth best in the league. But what these figures do not take into account is penalties, which technically do not count as actual plays. And through the first four weeks, the Chargers allowed six third-down conversions via penalty. They committed an additional three penalties on third down that were added to the end of plays on which the opposing offense had already converted."

(Daniel Popper, The Athletic)

Third-down penalties are killers for a defense that worked so hard for a stop, not only does it give them a fresh set of downs but it gives them free yardage.

Penalties are a back-breaker for either side of the ball and right now, the Chargers defense can't break anymore.

Here are those six conversion penalties:

• Week 2 at Tennessee, third-and-6, roughing the passer on defensive lineman

Sebastian Joseph-Day

.

• Week 2 at Tennessee, third-and-13, unnecessary roughness on safety

Derwin James Jr.

• Week 3 at Minnesota, third-and-11, illegal use of the hands on Davis.

• Week 3 at Minnesota, third-and-11, holding on Davis.

• Week 3 at Minnesota, third-and-15, unnecessary roughness on James.

• Week 3 at Minnesota, third-and-4, neutral zone infraction on defensive lineman

Morgan Fox

.



(Daniel Popper, The Athletic)

Most of these calls are things that can and should be cleaned up. Hopefully LA has been working to do just that with this extra week off.

With a star-studded defense for the Chargers, these changes need to be made before the Dallas Cowboys come into town on Monday.

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