3rd down study: Justin Herbert, LA Chargers 3rd down

 

The LA Chargers were very effective on 3rd down conversions in 2021. They did it with a great 2nd year QB, Justin Herbert and a very talented group of WR including Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, an excellent Tight End in Jared Cook and a RB in Austin Ekeler. Mix in Josh Palmer and Jalen Guyton and you have some nice pieces to work with. Offensive Coordinator Joe Lombardi did an excellent job with the young QB.

Justin Herbert just did that as the Chargers threw for 5,000 yards with 38 TD's and 15 interceptions. On 3rd down, they were 3rd in the league at 45%, behind only Buffalo and Kanas City.  Ironically, they were the only team in the top 11 that didn't make the playoffs. It shows how important it is to convert 3rd downs in today's NFL.

Well let's look at some of the route concepts incorporated by the Chargers during the year. We will look at the concepts by down and distance.

This section will look at some 3rd and 4-6 situations

3rd and 4-6 Vs the Giants

They get man free coverage and a 5 man pressure. The offensive line does a nice job as they run a nice shallow cross concept with Mike Williams who beats the CB James Bradberry off the line of scrimmage and just outruns him.

3rd and 5 vs the Raiders

The Raiders go cover 2

Chargers put Ekeler in the slot to the top with Cook as the #3 WR.

They have the man beater with the slant to the bottom of the screen and the nice cover 2 beater to the top of the screen Herbert ends up hitting Ekeler for the nice reception.

On 3rd and 4 they come back to the deep over with the shallow cross. The Crosser could be open but the RB gets in his way, he throws the crossing route and the DB makes a nice play on it.  The concept is sound but the RB's poor route takes away the shallow and he could have completed the dover route but the DB makes a good play.

3rd and 4 vs The Vikings

Chargers catch the Vikings by snapping the ball quickly. 

They run a nice concept as the Vikings are playing man free with combo coverage. They have 2 rat defenders underneath in man free. The Chargers release the back underneath opposite from where he started and get the look they want. Both rat defenders take the crosser and the RB is wide open. Herbert is hit as he throws and the pass goes incomplete. Great design against man coverage

Here are 5  clips of the concepts above. The Chargers had some nice designs on 3rd an 4-6 and had solid options against both man and zone coverage with their concepts.

3rd and 3 vs the Chiefs

They anticipate man coverage(presnap read) and run mesh. Herbert understands it's man coverage based on the motion and db running with it and works the RB side. His first read, the rb is open so he hits him for the 1st down and keeps the chains moving.

3rd and 3 vs the Chiefs

The Chargers run the dagger concept, The Broncos drop the De and take away the shallow while still running their man free coverage concept. Herbert makes a great read, sees it and works the dig. Nice route and concept vs man free with DE as a rat defender.

Other Resources:

Chargers Tight Formations

https://weeklyspiral.com/2021/10/06/how-joe-lombardi-has-the-chargers-offense-attacking-the-entire-field/

Chargers Passing Game

https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2021/12/02/chargers-justin-herbert-joe-lombardi/

3 areas of improvement

https://www.chargers.com/news/justin-herbert-record-breaking-season-three-takeaways-2021

Vertical passing attack

https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2021/12/13/justin-herbert-joe-lombardi-los-angeles-chargers/

LA CHARGERS PLAY-ACTION PASS PROTECTION

By Coach Jim Jackson

 The LA Chargers are currently the #2 total offense in the NFL. They are running and throwing the ball effectively. One of the main reasons for success is their ability to push the ball down the field vertically with Justin Herbert and the play-action pass. Herbert is making some outstanding reads and plays, especially for a rookie QB in the NFL. This article will examine the Play-Action Protections specifically used by the LAC. There is some really solid play and protection design. 

The first play is a 4 verticals concept and a TD to the TE. The Chargers are faking inside zone to the right with 6 man protection (half man, half zone). Great play design by LAC coaching staff and a great throw by Herbert. Solid protections as well.

The next play is an example of a 7 man protection involving the TE. This fake is much more deliberate and is needed to get the LBs and SS to step up and play the run. This route concept where people are crossing the field at depth requires more time to protect. The result is a 22 yard gain into the Red Zone.

The third play is the LAC vs CAR. We will examine is a similar protection with a different route concept. Again, these are deeper crossing routes that require more time to protect and push the ball downfield. The result of the play is a 45 yard gain, but a PI on LAC. Great concept that gave the LAC 1 on1s in the secondary.

The final play shows great play design by LAC and Herbert's ability to find his checkdown quickly for a large gain. This is the sign of a QB who is locked in executing at a high level. The result of the play after a missed tackle is a 34 yard gain. Another explosive play to for a rookie QB.

Thanks again for joining us! We are excited to watch the LAC offense and their play-action concepts the rest of the season.