Los Angeles Chargers: Takeaways from Week 2 win are all positive

The Los Angeles Chargers did what the team needed to do after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs and defeated the Buffalo Bills in comfortable fashion.

The Los Angeles Chargers will not start the season 0-4.

The Los Angeles Chargers took the dreaded West Coast flying East afternoon game trip to face the Buffalo Bills for the second straight year. Like last year, the Chargers walked away with a comfortable win that was far more in the Chargers’ favor than the score indicated.

Los Angeles won the contest, 31-20, backed by a 28-point first half. Although the team only posted three points in the second half, a lot of the second half was about managing the game and not making any mistakes.

After losing in Week 1 to the Kansas City Chiefs because of mistakes, the Chargers took the foot of the gas and coasted to a much-needed Week 2 victory.

Plus, the Bills scored with 38 seconds remaining in the game to cut it to an 11 point deficit. Buffalo was still three possessions behind up until that score.

Next week the Los Angeles Chargers have a very tough assignment in the Los Angeles Rams. However, after Week 2, there are only positive takeaways for the Chargers.

1. Melvin Gordon is ready to take that step towards being elite

Melvin Gordon was the second-best running back in the 2015 NFL Draft. The best running back from that class was Todd Gurley, who will likely make an MVP case this season.

Gordon has been good for the Chargers in the last three seasons and has a Pro Bowl appearance under his belt. However, while he cracks most people’s top-10, Gordon always seemed to be on the outside looking in when it came to the elite discussion.

Now, Gordon has proven that he is not only ready to knock on that door but to break it off its hinges. A threat in both the passing and running game, Gordon has 232 yards from scrimmage after two games. Gordon necessarily has not been used to his full capabilities and is still on pace for over 1,850 yards from scrimmage.

It is a small sample size but Gordon has been nothing short of great. He belongs in that elite class.

2. Derwin James is going to live up to the hype and then some

It was shocking to see the Los Angeles Chargers snag Derwin James with the 17th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. James was the best safety in the draft class and was projected to go in the top six or so picks.

Instead, he fell to the Chargers, who had the easiest decision possible in selecting him. James fits this defense like a glove and has proven already that he is a star in the making.

James led the teams in tackles on Sunday and even recorded his second sack of the year. His ability to drop into coverage and play on the line of scrimmage as efficiently as he does is unheard of for young safeties.

Although that first interception has alluded him, James was the best defensive player on the field on either side.

3. The Los Angeles Chargers really do have special talent

While the Chargers did not match the 47 points that the Baltimore Ravens scored against the Bills in Week 1, the team was clearly far, far better than the opposition.

Just watching the game it was obvious how much more explosive the Chargers were and how overwhelming the offensive weapons can be. While the Bills are one of the worst teams in the league, the Chargers did exactly what a good team should do, beat them up.