Los Angeles Chargers: Melvin Gordon is the key to success
By Jason Reed
Melvin Gordon has been very productive for the Los Angeles Chargers in three seasons. In his fourth year, Gordon will be pivotal to the team’s success.
The Los Angeles Chargers are one of the most interesting teams to watch heading into next season. With such a talented roster and a year more of experience under their belts, this roster looks ready to take the extra step.
Leading the way is one of few veterans on the team, Philip Rivers. Rivers is the heart and soul of this Chargers team and is the center of the entire franchise. If anyone deserves to win a Super Bowl, it is Rivers. If he ever does win one, it will be with the Chargers.
Fans know what they are going to get out of Rivers. He is more than consistent, not missing a single game since being named the starter back in 2006.
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And while he has had some down years, fans can expect a productive season from Rivers that puts the team in a good spot to succeed next season. Many may consider Rivers the main factor of the team’s success.
That is partially true. Without Rivers, this team probably would not make the playoffs and would be much worse offensively. However, knowing what we know about Rivers, he is going to give his team another consistent year as he has through thick and thin.
The difference between next season being thick or thin is running back Melvin Gordon.
Gordon has been overshadowed in his NFL career by his draft classmate, Todd Gurley. Gordon is certainly talented, however, he is steps away from that elite class of running backs.
While he may not be on the same level as Gurley, Gordon is certainly still effective. Not only is he a good runner, Gordon has quite the impact in the passing game as well.
Last season, Gordon rushed for 1105 yards and added 476 receiving yards. Gordon reached the end zone eight times with his legs and four times through the air.
Gordon is going to be a presence for opposing defenses to watch no matter what. If the Los Angeles Chargers really want to take that extra step, Gordon needs to be utilized to his fullest capability.
If he is, the Los Angeles Chargers are going to win a lot of games next season.
Gordon rushed the ball 18 times or more on 10 different occasions last season. In those 10 games, the Chargers were 8-2; the two losses being the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in KC and the blocked field goal game against the Denver Broncos.
In the six games in which Gordon rushed the ball 17 times or fewer the Chargers went 1-5. The lone win was the week 17, 30-10 win over the Raiders in which Gordon rushed for 93 yards on 17 tries.
There is an obvious correlation here and sure, some of it has to do with the team simply having more possession in games the team wins. However, when Gordon gets involved, the offense obviously performs better and it helps keep the defense fresh.
Next. Chargers have no visible long-term plan at QB. dark
Utilizing Gordon and giving him an opportunity to pound the ball at the defense’s teeth is the only way the Los Angeles Chargers can transition from a playoff team to a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Let’s hope that adjustment is made.