Los Angeles Chargers: Four keys to success for the 2018 season
By Jason Reed
1. Have a decent kicking game
The biggest downfall of the Los Angeles Chargers last season was the team’s inability to kick the football. Even in games that the Chargers easily won, such as the Thanksgiving matchup against the Cowboys, the kicking game came back to hurt the team.
Los Angeles went through kicker roulette last season that included Younghoe Koo, Nick Novak, Travis Coons and Nick Rose all attempt a field goal last season. Punter Drew Kaser even had to attempt some extra points for the Chargers in the game against the Cowboys.
The team looks to be in better shape next season with Caleb Sturgis as the primary kicker. Prior to getting injured and his job taken by Jake Elliott, Sturgis was a solid kicker and has made 81 percent of his field goals.
The Chargers do not even need someone who is going to be knockdown and hit 60+ yard field goals and make 95 percent of their attempts. All the Chargers need is some consistency and the reliability that if they get Sturgis in his range that he will make it most of the time.
If that is the case and Sturgis plays as he has his entire career, the Chargers are in pretty good shape.