The box-score stats inform one story concerning the Los Angeles Chargers’ third-down protection this season.
Head over to any stats touchdown web page, and you will notice the Chargers close to the highest of the third-down protection standings: 20 conversions allowed on 60 third downs, a 33.3 p.c price that’s tied for fourth-best within the NFL.
“We’re one of many prime third-down groups within the NFL,” coach Brandon Staley mentioned after Monday’s night time’s 20-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
That’s not the entire reality, although.
What this 33.3 p.c determine doesn’t keep in mind is penalties. And also you guessed it: The Chargers lead the league in third-down penalties this season. They’ve 10 complete, seven of which have led on to conversions. The opposite three had been private fouls tacked onto the top of performs that already resulted in conversions — a Joey Bosa facemask towards the Miami Dolphins in Week 1, a Kenneth Murray Jr. roughing the passer towards the Tennessee Titans in Week 2 and a Raheem Layne pointless roughness towards the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3.
Utilizing TruMedia’s play-by-play knowledge, we will calculate what we are going to name True Third Down Conversion Fee, which components penalties into general third down effectivity. The Chargers’ third-down conversion price allowed jumps from 33.3 p.c to 42.2 p.c with penalties included. That 42.2 p.c ranks seventeenth in True Third Down Conversion Fee — backside half of the league.
One purpose for this substantial enhance is what quantities to deceptive statistical illustration. Within the Chargers’ case, three of the 60 third downs they’ve confronted truly resulted in first-down penalties. Nonetheless, the on-field play end result was in need of the sticks, and so it’s marked down as a failed conversion.
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For instance, on a third-and-11 within the third quarter towards the Vikings, quarterback Kirk Cousins scrambled for 10 yards earlier than being tackled by security Derwin James Jr. Cornerback Michael Davis was flagged for defensive holding, leading to a primary down. This play is included within the 60 third downs however not included within the 20 conversions. Identical with the pointless roughness name on James within the pink zone within the second quarter of that Vikings win. And identical with the unlawful contact penalty on Ja’Sir Taylor on a third-and-18 in Monday’s loss. With these three penalties included, the numbers are 23 conversions on 60 third downs.
Add in 4 third-down penalties on performs that had been technically negated, and also you get 27 conversions on 64 third downs — 42.2 p.c. These 4 performs:
• Sebastian Joseph-Day roughing the passer towards the Titans on a third-and-6.
• James pointless roughness towards the Titans on third-and-13.
• Davis unlawful use of the palms towards the Vikings on third-and-11.
• Morgan Fox impartial zone zone infraction towards the Vikings on third-and-4.
Taylor and Davis had been each referred to as for unlawful contact on the third-and-18 on Monday night time towards the Cowboys. It was an enormous play within the sport. The conversion stored the Cowboys’ drive alive, they usually later transformed on what ended up being the game-winning discipline objective from kicker Brandon Aubrey with 2:19 remaining.
The Cowboys declined Davis’ penalty and accepted Taylor’s. The tape clearly exhibits Taylor making contact with Dallas receiver Jalen Tolbert 10 yards downfield. By the guide, it’s a truthful name. In one other sport, referees might need let this contact slide. However with the best way the refs had been calling the sport Monday night time, it ended up as a game-shifting mistake from Taylor.
“We’re not going to make any excuses about any sort of name, come what may,” Staley mentioned Monday. “We have to play with cleaner method within the secondary. It continues to be an emphasis and can at all times be an emphasis, particularly with the best way issues are being officiated within the league. And so we have to proceed to do higher.”
Permitting a conversion on a 3rd down of this size is simply unacceptable. For Staley’s defenses, these letdowns have change into commonplace. This season, together with penalties, the Chargers have allowed conversions on 8 of 12 third downs with at the least 11 yards to realize — a 66.7 p.c True Conversion Fee. No different group is above 43 p.c.
Courting again to final yr, the Chargers have allowed a True Conversion Fee of 37.8 p.c on third downs of 11 or extra yards to realize. No different group is above 28 p.c.
And for the reason that begin of 2021, when Staley took over as coach and defensive play caller, the Chargers are permitting a league-high 28.6 p.c True Conversion Fee on third downs with 11 or extra yards to realize. No different group is above 25 p.c.
The Chargers have been referred to as for 9 first-down penalties on third down with at the least 11 yards to realize over the past three seasons.
Sure, that’s the most within the league.
“Penalties make the conversions type of a a lot completely different story,” Staley mentioned. “That’s the place I feel we’ve been focusing as coaches and the place we have to proceed to place the emphasis on, is simply enjoying with the proper method and benefiting from the leverages that we offer you. And if you happen to do this, then you’ll keep penalty-free.”
The opposite large challenge with the Chargers’ third-down protection is when they’re permitting these conversions.
After the third-and-18 penalty Monday night time, the Chargers allowed a third-and-6 conversion to receiver CeeDee Lamb after quarterback Dak Prescott escaped the pocket. Lamb beat Taylor. The Chargers then allowed a third-and-9 conversion to Brandin Cooks on a comeback route that moved the Cowboys firmly into discipline objective vary. Cooks beat Asante Samuel Jr.
The Chargers protection has a True Conversion Fee of 60.9 p.c within the fourth quarter and extra time this season — 14 conversions on 23 third downs. No different groups is above 55 p.c. A type of conversions was Tony Pollard’s 60-yard catch-and-run Monday night time after breaking a deal with from Davis early within the fourth quarter on a third-and-11.
Tony Pollard’s 60-yard catch-and-run conversion was among the many back-breaking performs the Chargers allowed. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Photographs)
“We’re able to being an elite unit that should cease fouling,” Staley mentioned. “We’re in premium coverages and leverages, and our guys obtained to play clear soccer. However I feel that we’re enjoying with the proper selection. I feel we’re speeding the passer at a excessive degree. I feel we’re overlaying folks up, taking away their targets.”
The Chargers are fourth within the league in third-down strain price, based on TruMedia. They’ve created strain on half of opposing dropbacks on third down this season.
The protection, although, needs to be higher. And the Chargers should cease committing penalties on essential third downs.
It is a three-year pattern now, and Staley should discover a method for his message to land.
“Our guys are executing the defenses effectively,” Staley mentioned. “What I’m seeing is a unit that’s enjoying a excessive degree, and we’d be feeling convincingly optimistic if we hadn’t had the fouls.”
(High photograph of Chargers tackling CeeDee Lamb after changing a third-and-8 play: Harry How / Getty Photographs)
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