The defense of the Los Angeles Chargers has been one of the league’s best units in 2024. They have allowed 20 points or less in every game this season. Los Angeles has surrendered over 20 points only once this season when the Pittsburgh Steelers put up 20 in a Week 3 loss. LA’s defense has not had an easy schedule this season as they have limited high-powered offenses like the Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, and the Denver Broncos.
Los Angeles is sixth in the league in opposing yards per game and is leading the league only surrendering 13.1 points per game. The Los Angeles Chargers defense is also fifth in the league with 31 sacks and has forced the second-most turnovers(9). The turnaround for the Chargers defense was a shocking one as they were one of the league’s worst units last season. They were bottom five in opposing yards per game and opposing passing yards.
First-year Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, known for his offensive prowess, has worked wonders with the Los Angeles defense through nine weeks. Will the Chargers defense be able to keep playing well over the second half of the regular season?
Los Angeles Chargers Off To a Strong Start
Scoring on the @Chargers? Not easy.
📺: #CINvsLAC – Sunday 8:20pm ET on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/sCpoSivtec— NFL (@NFL) November 16, 2024
The Chargers enter Week 11 6-3 and in second place in the AFC West. Los Angeles also occupies the No. 6 seed in the AFC Playoffs. While the Los Angeles Chargers have been great this season, it is their defense that has done the heavy lifting. LA’s offense is 22nd in total yards per game and 19th in points per game. Quarterback Justin Herbert is having arguably the best season of his career under the tutelage of Harbaugh.
Jim Harbaugh loves to run the ball and play complimentary football. That has been the recipe for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024. This has led to a +9 turnover differential which is second in the NFL. Only the Buffalo Bills, +13, are better in that department.
A standout on the Chargers defense this season has been Linebacker Daiyan Henley. He is seventh in the league with 54 solo tackles. LA’s defense has been so successful through a committee-like approach to stifle the opposing offense. No one player is carrying the defense to a great start to begin the regular season.
Final Thoughts
The Los Angeles Chargers’ defense will have arguably their toughest test of the season tomorrow night when the Cincinnati Bengals come to town. While Cincinnati’s record, 4-6, has not been impressive, it is not the fault of their offense. The Bengals offense, led by Quarterback Joe Burrow, has been one of the league’s best units. Burrow is leading the NFL in passing yards, in a three-way tie for the lead in touchdown passes, and second in QB Rating. Cincinnati is 12th in the league in total offense and sixth in points per game.
These teams are the inverse of one another. The Cincinnati Bengals lead with their offense while the Los Angeles Chargers rely on their defense to win games. That fact is what should make this “Sunday Night Football” game such an exciting one. It will be strength on strength for the entire game at SoFi Stadium. The Los Angeles Chargers defense has been great this season, but they will have their hands full when they go up against the Cincinnati Bengals. Las Vegas is expecting this to be a close game as well as the Los Angeles Chargers are 1.5-point home favorites.
