Los Angeles Chargers: Three keys to defeating the New England Patriots

3. Get creative in the run game

One of the points that we hammered home in the Los Angeles Chargers game against the Baltimore Ravens is that the team would need to rely heavily on Melvin Gordon in the running game.

Gordon did get a decent amount of looks but had limited success in gaining yards. The elite back carried the ball 17 times for just 40 yards, although he did have a one-yard touchdown punch-in.

Overall, the team ran the ball 33 times for 89 yards, averaging just 2.7 yards per carry.  A big reason for the lack of success in the running game is that it was often predictable and would be stopped for a yard or two on first and second down.

The Chargers need to be more creative in disguising these running plays and when they are going to use them. The team certainly has talented backs in Gordon, Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson and should be relying on them to switch it up from the passing game.

The Chargers need a game similar to the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Los Angeles did a great job of running Justin Jackson in different situations and allowed him to use his athleticism to extend plays.

No more punching it up the gut and hoping to break free. The Patriots do not have an overly athletic linebacker core and halfback pitches, draw plays and counter runs to the outside should be the Chargers’ bread and butter on Sunday.

Melvin Gordon is one of the best backs in the league in making people miss and extending plays. Even if the passing game is working, the team cannot shy away from letting him make things happen out of the backfield.

This is especially true with the weather. New England is worse than the Ravens in defending the run, per PFF, and will have an even harder time if the Chargers continue to switch out the backs and give the defense various looks.

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